Synopsis: Just about everyone is familiar with the story of the prodigal son, perhaps the most well-known parable of Jesus. Many have found comfort in its moral of the free forgiveness available to repentant prodigals, who have consumed their lives with dissipate living. But is that the whole point of the story? Keller would argue that Jesus' parable is more properly the tale of two lost sons, and the prodigal grace of a loving father, who is willing to invite both the infamous scoundrel and the straight-laced prig to his feast of joy. And when the story is understood that way, it just might change one's whole perception of true Christianity.With a keen psychological insight, Keller describes two kinds of people: first, those who, like the younger brother in the parable, have become disillusioned with religion and hypocrisy, and have rebelled against traditional morality and authority; and second, those who, like the elder brother, devote their lives to being respectable, conservative, and very moral people, and who therefore look askance at the younger-brother type, while seeing themselves as the bulwarks of the community, and the leaders of the church. But surprisingly enough, when you get beneath the surface, both of these very different kinds of people are actually surprisingly similar. They are both rebels, who have no genuine love for their father, but try to manipulate him – whether through blatant disrespect or grudging duty – in order to get his things, without any concern for enjoying his fellowship.
In response to both of his rebel sons, the story's father, who represents God the Father, gives sacrificially and prodigally, without requiring anything in exchange, and admonishes both of them to come into the feast that his love has prepared for them. The younger brother, who has seen his unworthiness, does indeed come. But the older brother, who is suspiciously like the religious leaders to whom Jesus was speaking – well, Jesus leaves his final response unclear, as if to say to his audience, “God's invitation has been given to you, as well; now how will you respond?”.
But Jesus also leaves them with more than that, breaking off with a subtle hint of something else. This is the last in a series of three stories that he has told these same Pharisees; and in both of the first two, he has described a person who has gone out to seek and to save that which was lost. But in this story, the elder brother, who should have gone out to seek his younger brother, remains morose and resentful. Where is the true elder brother, willing to sacrifice of himself to bring his younger brother back to the father's feast? If it is not they to whom he speaks, who could it be?
In Keller's estimation, this parable crystallizes the heart of Jesus' gospel as clearly as any story he ever gave. He may be right. Whether you are a moral, respectable conservative who looks askance at all the unrestrained wickedness in the world, or a liberated, self-indulgent profligate who views the hypocritical religious right with scorn – whatever kind of rebel you are – you are in the same need of the lavish grace of a prodigal God, who will freely forgive your idolatrous love affair with his things, and satisfy your deeper need of festal fellowship with himself. The invitation has been made, and the Father is calling you to his feast, whether you are a younger brother or an older brother: how will you respond?
Reviewed by Monergism.com's Nathan Pitchford