The Prodigal God

Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

By: Timothy Keller

Narrated by: Timothy Keller

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Newsweek called New York Times best-selling author Timothy Keller a "C. S. Lewis for the twenty-first century" in a feature on his first book, The Reason for God. In that book, he offered a rational explanation of why we should believe in God. Now, in The Prodigal God, he uses one of the best known Christian parables to reveal an unexpected message of hope and salvation.

Taking his trademark intellectual approach to understanding Christianity, Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside his most familiar parable. Within that parable Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.

©2008 Timothy Keller (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An amazing, thought-provoking, illuminating work." (Examiner.com)

"The insights Tim Keller has about the two individuals in the story, and about the heart of God who loves them both, wrecked me afresh. Tim's thoughts deserve a hearing worldwide." (Bill Hybels, founding and senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church)

Deep yet clear

This was my first Keller book. He explores three parables including the famous parable mis-titled the prodigal son (there were 2 sons). I have read these parables at least 50 times yet I learned more in the first hour than I had in all my prior readings. At the same time, it is clearly mainstream, he is not creating a theology but revealing the one that is clearly there. I came away wanting to spend more time in the word. This is simply a wonderful book.

Every Christian NEEDS to read this book.

I thought I was doing ok with my faith. I am definitely not a Pharisee. Definitely not self-righteous. Definitely not in the group to whom Jesus will say, "depart from me, I never knew you."

But then I read this book and it blew my mind. I know the Holy Spirit can teach me anything if I'm willing, but I can honestly say that the convicting ideas in chapters 3 & 4 would NEVER have occurred to me on my own. I needed a serious course correction, and this book showed it to me.

Thank God. He is so merciful! He is so good! Thank you, Lord, for using Timothy Keller to deliver such an important, deep, yet simple message to us.

Every Jesus follower should read this book every couple years. Only something from God could be so very foundational while also being so very deep.

Prodigal God is an important read.

The information contained is very important to a healthy Christian life. This book was written very well and does not move too fast and also does not belabor a subject.

Healing for all

You see yourself, no matter what side of the story, you see yourself. And have the opportunity to know you are beloved. And the opportunity to pivot, grow and heal.

What a gracious God!

Keller explains 'prodigal' very well. I appreciated hearing again, of God's grace! Keller is a very proficient writer and explains biblical issues very well.

The Necessary Motivation for an Authentic Faith

Keller explains with solid scriptural reasoning why gratitude for unmerited grace is the only motivation that will produce authentic followers of Christ. A must read for all who consider themselves Christians or those who want a proper understanding of what genuine Christian faith entails.

Excellent for the recovering legality

What made the experience of listening to The Prodigal God the most enjoyable?

The content

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Prodigal God?

The equality of sin of the younger and older brother. Sin is sin.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Realizing I have been at some point in my life the younger and older brother.

Questions answered

This beautiful touching book answered many questions I didn't even know I had. Listening to it made me feel closer to God, very heart warming as if I can feel God's embrace with his arms over my shoulders. Thank you Keller for this beautiful book!

wow

I was enlightened by the depth of the prodigal son passage. The connections to present day were surprising!

Wonderfully insightful book!

Wonderfully insightful book! I think anyone who reads it will learning more about an very old story.