Some expressed interest in (re)reading The Prodigal God and requested a reading schedule. For openers, let me suggest Intro thru Ch. 1 by July 31 and the following to bat around: pg. viii. If Jesus's teaching can be compared to a lake, how is this Parable (Luke 15) like like "one of the clearest spots, where we can see all the way to the bottom"? pp. xiv-xv How does the father's "recklessly spendthrift" (generous) reception of the younger son offend your/my sense of justice? pg. 5 What is the reason for the father's joy? Imagine reunion after having not seen a cherished loved one for a very long time, all hope having been lost. How does this aspect of the Parable reflect the heart of Sovereign God? pp. 5-6 In what ways does the older brother manage to keep himself from celebrating? How does this depict sin? Ch. 1; pg 10 "Jesus's purpose is not to warm our hearts but to shatter our categories." What "categories" of mine need to be identified and shattered? pp 15-16 "Jesus's teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day." Should certain ministries comport with this approach? Do you agree with Keller's suggestion that today's churches might be too full of "older brothers"? How do the Scriptures speak to this issue?

What a powerfully, compelling little book! I am humbled that God in his mercy would AGAIN show me the nature of his 'recklessly spendthrift' love poured out on our behalf. I don't know that I have ever heard this parable taught in this fashion with so little focus on the elder brother (excepting John's more recent sermon)...quite probably my heart hasn't been listening! Since the stereotypic sermon on the wayward son is preached so consistantly then yes, the church is full of elder brothers who need their 'catagories shattered'. I love the quote from Tolkein; "I am not altogether on anybody's side, because nobody is altogether on my side...p.13 referring to Jesus not being on the side of the irreligious or the religious. I thought the notion of the early church being considered NOT a religion very interesting...and wonder how far the modern church has strayed from God's intent. We do set out to attract people like us! That is without a doubt one of many of my catagories...

Chap. 2 for 8/15. pp.18-20. Against all bounds of convention, the younger brother demands, essentially, the father's very "life": his property, reputation and standing. And the father gives! It seems unfair that a locust should gobble up the father's life's work. But how do we likewise consume Christ's good gifts and bring dishonor on Him? pp. 20-25. The father's lavish acceptance of the younger son - without even hearing an apology, much less a plan of restitution - might suggest that sin has no consequences. But what clues do we already have from the Parable that the younger brother's riotous excursion carried a severe price tag?

Sorry for a late post on chapter one, but I have a question. Do y'all think that New Hope fits the description at the end of the chapeter: The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches . . . we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did? Or at least not portraying the message effectively to those we meet everyday? a little bit? a lot? not at all?

I think all believers need to repent of our lack of love for both younger brothers and older brothers. Martin Luther was right on about our need to live a life of repentance. It is the love of Christ that motivates me to obey Him. Only His love is bigger than my sin. Only His love is powerful enough to set me free from my adiction to all types of idols.

In ch. 2 my attention was esp. drawn to the father's response to both sons. Keller underscores his unpredictable, almost startling reaction to these bad boys who are both 'far off' in their hearts ~ pursuing the fathers good gifts INSTEAD of the father. (OH, my heart!) Despite their disrespect, HE continues to pursue them, ever ready to receive them with no conditions or demands; just the free offer of grace. Amazing!

I am amazed by God's grace - especially because I find myself moving back and forth - sinning like a younger brother in some areas and like an older brither in others.

Chapter 3 (for Labor Day w/e) - Called Redefining Sin, this part made me think of some of the ways I try to "keep score" with God and expect him to reward me. In fact, how great it is that I don't get what I really deserve. How great also that I cannot control or manipulate God. But the human heart deceitful above all things and very wicked. In the very recognition (all of grace) of sin, I want to receive God's favor even for that! The Saleiri - Mozart comparison well illustrates God's knack for exposing our hidden agendas. Thank God that through Christ He does not keep silent or leave us in our sin. Gal. 2:20

I agree that, no matter how much we intellectually know grace, our hearts often revert back to the "earning God's favor" mode. We need to constantly remind each other that God's grace and love is free and unconditional Plus, as much as we can, we need to respond to each other with the same grace and love.

In light of the current discussions by various New Hope ministry groups as to effectively reaching out to our surroudning community, has anyone given any thought to my August 10th question about New Hope and the Prodigal God, chapter one description of today's church?

Gerald, In response to your Aug. 10 question...I really feel that at New Hope we seek to be the kind of place where everyone feels welcome ~ I wonder tho if culturally, being a 'church' (as an organization with a stereotypic 'reputation') doesn't automatically 'label' us as a group of 'conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people'that can't relate to the marginalized? Maybe as the 'church' gets out of the building and meets folks where they are, we can begin to truly minister the love of God. Are we comfortable in those 'places' though??

Chris, Your comments are interesting and timely. There are ministry teams at New Hope that are currently disucssing the quetion of how we effectively and honestly (avoiding the perceptions you mentioned) tell the community around us who we are and how much we want God to use us to serve them. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

Chapter 4 may speak to Gerald's question, but in a different context, that of the church Tim Keller pastors in NYC. Keller observed that many of the people attracted to his church weren't necessarily without church experience. Rather, they had experienced "church" - and biases and bigotry besides. What attracted them to Redeemer Pres. was a love for God that outshone extra-biblical attitudes and comfort zones. Jesus's followers derived from all walks and social strata: from Mary Magdalene, to Luke, to Zaccheus, to Joseph of Arimathea. Some were "maginalized" in the world's eyes, but certainly not all. The issue, imho, is whether or not we love God supremely and people from all walks, seeking Christ's merits and power to deliver us from legalism and love of empty religion.

I agree with you Mike. The big lesson for me from Chapter Four was that once "older brothers" can honestly see their own sin and still be assured of the Father's love, they can more readily love others, even those with sins that we might consider "more obvious" than our own.

Chapter five made some of the strongest impressions on me yet. Especially moving to me are the account of "the brother" who went to Vietnam during wartime looking for his lost brother, and the chapter's re-emphasis on the younger brother'r return as being at the older brother's expense. These illustrations point to the vitally seeking and sacrificial love and work of Christ, to save us from sin and self by His blood. And what a perfect example is He for us to so love one another.

Mike, I agree, and I thought earlier in the chapter the key to us ever being able to live scarificially like Jesus was given. We have to repent of the "sin under all our other sins - the sin of seeking to be our own Savior and Lord. ... The antidote to being bad is not just being good."

In Chapter Six, called Redefining Hope, Keller describes the deepest longing of the soul: for "home" - a "place" that each of us knows something of but can never seem to define or grasp in this life. I think of that desire as something infinitely more and deeper than "longing", although "longing" may be the only English word to describe it. Note the perpetual struggles the nation of Israel faced in its longing for "home". How stark and abhorrent to be torn away from home into captivity, subjugated, and immersed into ways of life that seemed futile and strange (at best). How strong the passion to see deliverance in the Messiah. But yet how infinitely and exceedingly great were and are His larger purposes for His people, as He prepares to usher in the new Heavens, the new Earth, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, our Eternal Home, and the great Day when "we shall forever be with the Lord." Every fiber in our beings longs for that Homecoming, just as a compass points North.

I thought it was also very insightful when Keller talked about the fact that often people return to where they hope they will find "home" just to learn that the place no longer matches their memories and desires. Likewise for us, we dream about and idolize things that we come to believe will change our lives and make us happy. Yet, eventually, we learn that Jesus is the only "home", the only person and place in which our heart's need is met. As we try to learn to love the people around us that we care about, we should ask Jesus to teach us, more and more, to "live His love" to them, love that is patient and kind, not arrogant and resentful. In this way, we remind each other that He is the only true place of peace and joy.

This is so great. I read all your posts and can't wait to read the book! Can I borrow a copy when you are done? Great Job, Mike! I wish I had started when you all did. I guess it just went right over my head when it began!

The final (7th) Chapter, called "The Feast of the Father", brings to mind a description I heard about Heaven by the Irish preacher Ted Donnelly: in essence, "Always better, never worse. Always more, never less." Here Keller replenishes our think tanks with fresh reminders of the Gospel's power to conquer selfishness and moralizing - and every other sin - by Christ's sacrificial redeeming love. He refocuses our view to God's plan, that (astoundingly) includes His eternal redemptive purposes for our bodies, our personalities, our uniquely individual and collective purposes within His Kingdom for His glory and our good, and the Feast that will eclipse all feasts. "On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine - the best of meats and the finest of wines." Isaiah 25:6. We tend to throw the word around a lot, but that is truly "awesome". Don't you agree?

Mike, Thanks for leading this blog and choosing an inspiring book. Keller made two points in the closing chapter that I believe many of us in the PCA tradition, often in our studious and individualistic mode, could benefit from. First, there is a difference between believing and fully tasting God's grace (pg 108). Second, you can't live the Christian life without a family of believers in which you find a place (125). We need a real relationship with Jesus and with each other in order to enjoy the feast.

Thank you, Gerald, for the concise summary, and to you and everyone for your keen and helpful insights along the way. Laura, I would be happy to let you borrow my copy of the book. Any suggestions, anyone, for the next book (or essay, etc.) to read and bat around? To better the blog and bolster the bloggerforce?

Mike and Gerald ~ thank you both for your sage comments and wisdom. Gerald your summary is right on ~ 'the gospel is not just the ABCs of the Christian life , but the A to Z of the Christian life.' Change comes from deeping our understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out those changes in the context of community. A powerful challenge for us all to be so connected as to actually see the gospel restructuring our dark hearts! Prodigal God is THE book I have ordered for Christmas presents this year. FYI, Redeemer of NY has made Tim Keller's sermon series on the book available FREE to listen to or download. I have taken up listening to sermons when I walk :) Physical and spiritual exercise!! I apologize for falling off with the blog ~ to be honest, this format loses much in translation when face to face discussion is preferred...HOWEVER it might give some of us the opportunity to share that otherwise wouldn't. With regard to suggestions ~ Keller has a new book 'Generous Justice' that sounds awesome!