The Prodigal Son

[Lizzy F.]

Another aspect is that God loving us doesn't stop us from reaping the consequences of our sin.

The younger son squandered his inheritance and the father didn't promise him another one. Everything the father had still belonged to the older son.

This helped me in dealing with some people I had hurt. I asked and they forgave me, but we had to continue to deal with the long-term consequences of my actions.

This concept may be obvious for most, but fundies taught me that it was a sign of unforgiveness and bitterness if someone still mentioned the consequences after they had "forgiven" me. While being free from fundy-dom has been great, it's been painful to admit what a jerk I was, how many people I hurt, and to have to deal with the long-term affects of how deeply I hurt some people.

[pastor's wife]

I thought you might have already read the Keller book!

Then too there's John MacArthur's book "A Tale of Two Sons." I'm not thrilled with how MacArthur has falsely represented the missional movement in one of his recent books, but I'm still willing to learn from people even when I can't agree with them 100%.

[TomK]

I thought MacArthur's book on the two sons was alright. Dry and unoriginal in my opinion, but with a lot of valuable cultural and historical information.

My favorite book on this parable is The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.

[Elijah Craig]

I wouldn't want to try to defend the statement that the Law alienates one from God.

[TomK]

(04-26-2011 05:44 PM)Elijah Craig Wrote:  I wouldn't want to try to defend the statement that the Law alienates one from God.

A devotion to keeping the Law in order to earn God's favor or to justify one's self can certainly alienate one from God. We are the children of God, not by keeping the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Those who live morally righteous lives can be just as distant from God as those who live in hedonistic lust, as the parable illustrates. And it is their devotion to "law" and "goodness" that will blind them to their own alienated condition. In this respect the Law becomes as obstacle between them and God.

[TomK]

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

[chris1000bc]

Tomk,

It looks like a good series to me.

To answer your questions:
1. See number 2.
2. Keller's book that you have already read
3. I like how Keller emphasizes Christ as the "true older brother" who goes into the far country to save prodigal sons and self-righteous sons.

[TomK]

(04-26-2011 06:05 PM)Donb123 Wrote:  

(04-26-2011 05:57 PM)TomK Wrote:  A devotion to keeping the Law in order to earn God's favor or to justify

Perhaps it's semantics and one's own theological bent but I surely don't see "the law alienates" and "keeping the Law in order earn..." as anything remotely resembling one another. In other words' Elijah didn't say anything like your expansion upon his statement.

My response is a clarification on what I intend on teaching. I admit the expression "the Law alienates people from God" is vague and misleading by itself. I probably won't use that exact expression when I teach this parable. With the Pharisees, it was not the Law, but their self-righteousness that was based on keeping the Law that alienated them from God.

[TomK]

I appreciate it. The feedback has been very helpful.

[Elijah Craig]

Paul did say that the letter kills but the Spirit gives life, so I understand what is meant. Paul also said that sin took advantage of the Law to kill him. The Law is an instrument that can be used to kill, but I wouldn't want to say the Law itself kills.