The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller Summary

The Prodigal God reinterprets Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, revealing God’s radical grace for both the rebellious (younger brother) and the self-righteous (elder brother). Timothy Keller challenges traditional readings, arguing the story exposes two flawed paths to fulfillment—moralism and irreligion—while pointing to the Father’s unconditional love as the heart of Christianity.

This book is for Christians seeking a deeper grasp of grace, skeptics exploring faith, and anyone wrestling with feelings of spiritual emptiness. Keller’s insights resonate with both religious and non-religious readers, offering a fresh lens on forgiveness, repentance, and acceptance.

Yes. A New York Times bestseller, it’s praised for transforming how readers view Christianity’s core message. Reviewers highlight its intellectual depth, accessibility, and ability to challenge entrenched beliefs about morality and redemption.

Keller redefines “prodigal” as extravagant rather than wayward, emphasizing God’s reckless generosity toward both sons in the parable. The term reflects divine grace that surpasses human expectations.

• Younger brother: Represents rebellion, seeking freedom through self-indulgence.
• Elder brother: Symbolizes moralism, clinging to rule-following for validation.

Keller argues both paths lead to alienation from God, contrasting them with the Father’s unconditional love.

Often overlooked, the elder brother embodies religious hypocrisy. Keller uses his resentment to critique self-righteousness, showing how moral conformity can be as spiritually destructive as outright rebellion.

The feast symbolizes God’s kingdom—a celebration of restored relationship, not earned merit. Keller ties this to the biblical narrative of reconciliation, urging readers to embrace grace over performance.

Keller challenges churches that prioritize rule-keeping (elder brother mindset) or cultural relevance (younger brother tendencies), advocating instead for a gospel-centered faith rooted in transformative grace.

• “The gospel is not religion or irreligion, morality or immorality—it is something else entirely.”
• “We are all more flawed yet more loved than we ever dared believe.”

While The Reason for God addresses skeptics’ intellectual doubts, The Prodigal God focuses on heart-level transformation through parable. Both emphasize grace but target different audiences.

Yes. It offers frameworks for overcoming guilt (younger brother) and pride (elder brother), advocating repentance as a daily return to the Father’s grace rather than a one-time moral fix.

In an era of polarized identity politics and performative spirituality, Keller’s call to reject moral tribes for radical grace remains urgent. The book’s critique of transactional faith resonates in a culture weary of ideological divisions.

Some note its narrow focus on one parable, though most praise its depth. A minority argue Keller overemphasizes elder brother hypocrisy, but this critique is less common.

As founder of NYC’s Redeemer Presbyterian, Keller’s urban ministry experience informs his analysis of cultural rebellion and religious legalism, making the parable accessible to modern audiences.