Seems like it's about relationship with the father- freely given, not earned. Neither son understands that concept. We have been offered the same gift, whether we are on the inside looking out, or on the outside looking in.
I think it would be difficult for the older son to be so willing for his father to welcome the younger brother back into the fold. I sometimes think that if we work hard and do the right thing, it is difficult for humans to be forgiving of those who have made poor choices. The reality is we all make poor choices and are all in the need of God's forgiveness and grace.
Moral Conformity or self-discovery: I sometimes think that we as Christians may be too quick to think poorly of those who are on a path of self-discovery. Does anyone else feel that way?
I think we can see this played out in our culture wars. We have a lot of younger brothers who feel entitled to whatever they want (they seem to want grace without repentance), and we have a lot of older brothers who believe that because they have tried to be obedient and do what they think is right, that God owes them what they want, whether or not it is his will. Neither "son" loves God for his own sake. If they did, they would seek his Kingdom first and let God bless them as he chooses.
Yes, Is there anywhere in this story where the father requires repentance before offering forgiveness? The banquet is open to everyone. The invitation is to be in relationship with the father. The problem comes when we "see the speck in another's eye without seeing the log in our own eyes." In a theology of abundance (vs. theology of scarcity), the father's love given to another does not diminish the love given to me. So why do we tend to place conditions on the father's love (when the father's love is unconditional in this story)?
When the father saw the younger son coming, perhaps he understood that the young man had already repented. To come home was to admit his need and his mistakes. The older brother cannot enter the banquet because he will not repent of his anger toward his brother. His need to punish his brother is keeping him from the joyful celebration. He would rather have a pity party than to forgive his brother and join in at the real party.
The old hymn, "Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy" may say it best: "Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream. All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him." The younger brother felt his need of the Father. The older one did not. He was a cradle roll Baptist (Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.)He had never been in the wrong, in his opinion.
I am happy to have the opportunity to read The Prodigal God. I had a difficult time understanding this parable in my younger years as I am an "elder brother" type. I did not understand until my older years that Jesus was explaining the Nature of God's love rather than giving us a blueprint for living. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and have come to understand more about my own sins and the sins of the organized church. Keller speaks very clearly to us "elder brothers" , who are often into control and tradition, that our basic sin under all of our "righteousness" is the Sin of seeking to be our own Savior and Lord. That is a much more difficult sin to see than the obvious sins of the prodigal younger brother, but just as destructive to us and those to whom we are called to minister.
Seems like it's about relationship with the father- freely given, not earned. Neither son understands that concept. We have been offered the same gift, whether we are on the inside looking out, or on the outside looking in.
ReplyDeleteNeither son seems to trust the Father enough or love the Father enough.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be difficult for the older son to be so willing for his father to welcome the younger brother back into the fold. I sometimes think that if we work hard and do the right thing, it is difficult for humans to be forgiving of those who have made poor choices. The reality is we all make poor choices and are all in the need of God's forgiveness and grace.
ReplyDeleteMoral Conformity or self-discovery: I sometimes think that we as Christians may be too quick to think poorly of those who are on a path of self-discovery. Does anyone else feel that way?
ReplyDeleteThere is a strong emphasis on the failure of the older brother and most Christians will likely not be able to identify with him.
ReplyDeleteI think we can see this played out in our culture wars. We have a lot of younger brothers who feel entitled to whatever they want (they seem to want grace without repentance), and we have a lot of older brothers who believe that because they have tried to be obedient and do what they think is right, that God owes them what they want, whether or not it is his will. Neither "son" loves God for his own sake. If they did, they would seek his Kingdom first and let God bless them as he chooses.
ReplyDeleteYes, Is there anywhere in this story where the father requires repentance before offering forgiveness? The banquet is open to everyone. The invitation is to be in relationship with the father. The problem comes when we "see the speck in another's eye without seeing the log in our own eyes." In a theology of abundance (vs. theology of scarcity), the father's love given to another does not diminish the love given to me. So why do we tend to place conditions on the father's love (when the father's love is unconditional in this story)?
DeleteWhen the father saw the younger son coming, perhaps he understood that the young man had already repented. To come home was to admit his need and his mistakes. The older brother cannot enter the banquet because he will not repent of his anger toward his brother. His need to punish his brother is keeping him from the joyful celebration. He would rather have a pity party than to forgive his brother and join in at the real party.
ReplyDeleteThe old hymn, "Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy" may say it best: "Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream. All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him." The younger brother felt his need of the Father. The older one did not. He was a cradle roll Baptist (Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.)He had never been in the wrong, in his opinion.
I am happy to have the opportunity to read The Prodigal God. I had a difficult time understanding this parable in my younger years as I am an "elder brother" type. I did not understand until my older years that Jesus was explaining the Nature of God's love rather than giving us a blueprint for living.
ReplyDeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed this book and have come to understand more about my own sins and the sins of the organized church. Keller speaks very clearly to us "elder brothers" , who are often into control and tradition, that our basic sin under all of our "righteousness" is the Sin of seeking to be our own Savior and Lord. That is a much more difficult sin to see than the obvious sins of the prodigal younger brother, but just as destructive to us and those to whom we are called to minister.