The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy

by Timothy Keller

Hardcover, 2018

Status

Available

Call number

224.9206

Genres

Religion & Spirituality

Nonfiction

General Nonfiction

All Topics

Collection

Non-Fiction

Publication

Viking (2018), Edition: 1st Edition, 272 pages

Description

"Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller uncovers the moving, provocative, and urgent message within the book of Jonah and at the heart of the Christian faith. Most people, even those who are nonreligious, are familiar with the book of Jonah: a rebellious prophet defies God and is swallowed by a whale. Less familiar to most people is the second half of this Biblical story--what happens after Jonah is released from the belly of the fish. Yet it is in this second half of the story that one of the most powerful and important lessons of the Bible is hidden. The famous story shows how, if we would understand the mercy of God, it will always take us in directions we would rather not go, toward people we would rather not care about, and ultimately into the deepest counsels of God. In a time of growing division, The Prodigal Prophet shows us God's love among people, and how Christians must listen to God's call even when it takes them to uncomfortable places"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member deldevries

Reading Timothy Keller is like having a conversation with a wise friend. Thanks for the stories, lessons, and making an old story make sense in my everyday life.

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LibraryThing member highlander6022

Excellent - just excellent. Keller does not disappoint in his furthering understanding and interpretation of the bible. He helps understand Jonah himself and how Jonah's actions relate to our world today. Highly recommended as a group discussion, although reading it individually is also OK. But a

group discussion will greatly enrich the book's material.

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LibraryThing member larrydellis

I want to recommend a new book to those who seek to learn from the Scriptures. The Prodigal Prophet by Tim Keller is about Jonah. The refreshing story is not about the great fish. It is about Jonah believing that he knows more about true justice than God does. It speaks to our being unsettled with

the question of how do bad things happen to good people. (covid, slaughter of Christians, unjust lawsuits, and other disturbing issues). Some Christians teach that if we are good enough, nothing bad will happen to us. Jonah's recorded story has two parts. The first is that he pushed back hard against what God had called him to do. He knew better than God what was important. The end result of that was being thrown overboard and being swallowed up by a great fish. What looked like a disaster was actually a blessing. It was a lesson in humility that he needed in the worse way. His rejection of God's calling was not only affecting him, but also those others around him on the boat.

After being ejected from the great fish, he agrees to go to the city where sin abounded. God had promised to destroy the city. As he preached the message of God's justice, he did not grasp that God has great mercy. When the people repented and turned to God, Jonah became angry. God extended mercy to the city while Jonah again thought that the city should be destroyed. As he left the city, he was watching and hoping that God would destroy the city. After all, Jonah again knew better than God what was best. The record does not end with a tidy closure, not unlike many of the circumstances that we face that seem unjust or unfair. Jonah's arrogance is much like ours at times. God is fully just, and merciful, but he defines both terms. We do not.

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