The Prodigal God

Pastor’s Bookshelf - Welcome to my bookshelf! Each month I will discuss a recent book that I’ve finished. *disclaimer; I don’t always have time to sit and read physical books, but I do quite a bit of my reading through audiobooks these days.*

This month I’d like to talk about The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart Of The Christian Faith by Tim Keller.

You may remember a few months back I recommended another book called “The Reason For God” that was also by Tim Keller. At that point I said, while reading his work it felt like I could almost feel my brain growing. Tim Keller is a pastor from New York, and he has a particular talent for engaging difficult/complex issues with an extremely balanced and educated response. In short – he’s really, really smart and I have benefitted greatly from his work. The Prodigal God is a very short work, almost like an extended sermon, where Tim breaks down a familiar story from scripture (the parable of the Prodigal Son) and discovers a very surprising and unfamiliar teaching. Whether you are a brand new Christian, or have been a Christian all your life – there is a deeper message for you hidden in the story you’ve probably heard a hundred times before.

I “read” this book back in the month of May in audiobook format, and I listened to it while jogging through my neighborhood. I can’t tell you how many times I had to stop running and just soak in the wisdom I had just heard. The description of the book reads, “Seekers and believers alike will see Christianity in a whole new way when they learn how Christ’s followers are supposed to love, so they can join him in heaven.” I highly recommend this book and it’s hidden delights.