Bookshelf: The Prodigal God

In his book The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, Timothy Keller explores a familiar parable with fresh insight. His message is at once hopeful and challenging--comforting and convicting. I finished Keller's book with a better understanding of the passage, a greater awareness of my own "elder-brother lostness", and a deeper sense of gratitude for God's lavish grace.

A few quotes from The Prodigal God:

"...one of the signs that you may not grasp the unique, radical nature of the gospel is that you are certain that you do."

"...The word 'prodigal' does not mean 'wayward' but, according to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 'recklessly spendthrift.' It means to spend until you have nothing left. This term is therefore as appropriate for describing the father in the story as his younger son."

"Jesus' purpose is not to warm our hearts but to shatter our categories."

"Elder brothers obey God to get things. They don't obey God to get God himself--in order to resemble him, love him, know him, and delight him."

"As long as you are trying to earn your salvation by controlling God through goodness, you will never be sure you have been good enough for him. You simply aren't sure God loves and delights in you."