Readability : 1
Length: 133 pp
Author: Tim Keller
This is my favorite Tim Keller work by far (He has only written three titles, so far, but this is still a huge compliment as all three are superb). Thie book pairs well with an earlier one, The Reason for God. Keller originally wrote The Reason for God with unbelievers in mind and The Prodigal God for believers, but he admits that this work will benefit both. Keller has often spoke about preaching against legalism to libertines so that they will realize that the ‘Christianity’ they rejected is not Christianity. Preaching against legalism helps libertines to see exactly what the gospel is. This book does that masterfully. Both elder and younger brothers are confronted with the glory of the gospel in this powerful little book. It is now my go to book for persons who are lost.
[O]ne of the signs that you may not grasp the unique radical nature of the gospel is that you are certain you do.
The elder brother is not losing the father’s love in spite of his goodness, but because of it. It is not his sins that create the barrier between him and his father, it’s the pride he has in his moral record; it’s not his wrongdoing but his righteousness that is keeping him from sharing the feast of his father.
The gospel is therefore not just the ABC’s of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life. Our problems arise largely because we don’t continually return to the gospel to work it in and live it out.
No Other Boast 