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Summary: an incredible look at a painting, a story, and our life
Review: Nouwen's book was a great inspirational read. I felt drawn closer to understand the heart of God and to understand myself from three different perpectives--- that of the returning son, the loving father, and the older son. I had heard this story many times, but I couldn't believe the depth that Nouwen's was able to reach and the life that he brought to this painting.
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Summary: An exquisite book
Review: Prior to reading this inspired book, I had only appreciated the parable of The Prodigal Son on a surface level. Nouwen opened my eyes to its multiple layers of meaning. The entire Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly encapsulated in this parable. It is a book to be read, pondered and shared.
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Summary: Unique Gateway to God's Unfathomable Grace
Review: Rembrandt's power through art to express the soul's varied journeys to or through choices that mirror the work of God's Grace, accepted or rejected, is explored in unique depth. The authors perceptions of the painting of The Return invite introspection that helps one to realize God's Love for all is immence and unconditionally available no matter wise or unwise the paths we choose. A journey of hope for the reader who comes to understand that accepting that immense love is a process, as is the process of growth. Thrilling reading in that the captivating love of God becomes as visible through the author's words as when he viewed and studied and saw, deeply imprinted, each clue and message of the artist's own emotional journey with God.
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Summary: The Father Judgeth No Man-John 5:22
Review: Someone from my church recommended this book to me, and it's another book that will be an eternal, spring cleaning survivor in my house! I read this book several years ago.At first, I was skeptical of the book's content. How, I thought, could an entire book be written upon a short, but well-known parable of Jesus and a painting of Rembrandt's? What else could I learn about this parable that I hadn't learned already? No telling how many sermons or sunday school lessons I've heard in my lifetime on this parable. It's really a beautiful book. Hang in there; I had a hard time at first getting interested in it. I loved his analyses of each of the three characters in the painting and parable, the father, elder son, and prodigal son. There is something in all of us resembling the character of the the two sons, which is usually the take home message from Sunday service. For me, the take home message from Nouwen's book, which was novel to me, was his understanding of the father, whose character is synonymous with God the Father, and how God wants us to model that character in our own lives. Nouwen's analysis is really beautiful; believe me the book is a keeper.
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Summary: Grace for Prodigals and Other Sinners
Review: The Lord God has broadened my horizons in recent years, causing me to read works by authors I'd previously have dismissed. Henri Nouwen, much to my amazement, has become one of my spiritual mentors. In this little gem, Henri offers meditations on a very familiar (perhaps too familiar) parable. Countering the strong tendency to focus almost entirely on the prodigal, he also gives touching insights into the responses of the Father and of the oft-overlooked, prideful older brother. Any of us could find ourselves reflected on one of the three!
The Return of the Prodigal Son is written with Nouwen's characteristic sensitivity and willingness to allow his own doubts and fears to be examined. Having read it, I found that I better understood the incredible grace of the God who could receive a prodigal such as me and I've been better able to deal with the arrogance of those "older brothers" whose gracelessness and legalism have often caused me increased pain in the midst of life's trials.
Far from being a "brick" as another reviewer avers, this book is a balm, a soothing and healing medicine gently applied by one who has felt the same wounds. My list of books that have had a major influence on my life has grown beyond the possibility of a "top ten" now, so I'll just say this one is easily in the top twenty. I highly recommend The Return of the Prodigal Son for Prodigals and other sinners who need a touch of God's forgiving, receptive grace.
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Summary: Both Homecoming and being at Home
Review: The Return of The Prodigal Son is one of those books with a special message that made me want to be a better person. If only it was that easy. Henri Nouwen used his experiences and feelings surrounding the Rembrandt painting "Return of the Prodigal Son" coupled with time as the father at a group home for the severely handicapped as a back drop for this book. But it is not a book that is about his time at the home, nor it is a book that really reflects that he is a catholic priest. It has a universal message and is based squarely on scripture revolving around the story of the prodigal as well as insights gained from Rembrandt's painting The pleasant yet challenging surprise of the book is how Nouwen takes the logical path from rebellious son through older brother and landing finally at the role of father and how the Father Himself calls us to become as He is. It is the first time I have read or heard a teaching that moves from the unrelenting love that the father has for the son in the story to the idea that God is calling us not just to accept His love as the younger son does once he realizes how lost he had become, but how God is calling us to become like Him and love the rebellious and lost as He does. I found it very interesting how Nouwen see parts of Rembrandt's work as being reflections of or symbols of something great and true. These insights made the book more interesting than just a simple bible lesson on an old and familiar story. Whether you find yourself in a foreign land or just outside the Fathers House, or whether you tend to feel a bit resentful that you're "following all the rules" and yet things just don't seem quite right this book has something important and powerful to say to you. If you are a leader in the church and want to be compelled to try a little harder and move a little closer to being the accepting and loving father that God calls you to be; this book has something for you. I enjoyed reading this and can highly recommend it.
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Summary: The Best Book I've Ever Read
Review: This author explores the Rembrant painting with such significant insight, and delves into a story in the Bible that is often read without much thought. His simple and yet indepth analogy of the masterpiece and scripture bring thought-provoking, life-changing perspectives to the forefront. After reading this book, the reader is faced with some very challenging questions. This is the best book I have ever read and would recommend and recommended it to everyone.
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Summary: This book is the best book I ever read!
Review: This book is a challenge for each of us to examine our own life. It is deeply moving and humbling. I have read the book at least 3 times and each time I am drawn to a different segment of the book. It's depth is unbelievable. I recommend it to be read when one is disillusioned or overwhelmed by our busy life. It helps to slow one down and put things in perspective.
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Summary: A Much Needed Book
Review: This book is not an exhaustive analysis of the meanings of the Prodigal Son parable. It's rather an insightful description of a spiritual journey based on Rembrandt's painting and the parable itself. Nouwen's will guide you all the way through the relation between the parable, the painting, and most of all, his own life of struggles, loneliness, dejection and search for a meaning. It's a beautiful book, full of provocative thoughts for those who tries to understand the compassionate character of God. It's also an inspiration, as Nouwen proposes to understand, to become the "Father" we are called to be. Perhaps this will illuminate and encourage your own spiritual journey...
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Summary: An insightful description of a spiritual journey
Review: This book is not an exhaustive analysis of the meanings of the Prodigal Son parable. It's rather an insightful description of a spiritual journey based on Rembrandt's painting and the parable itself. Nouwen's will guide you all the way through the relation between the parable, the painting, and most of all, his own life of struggles, loneliness, dejection and search for a meaning. It's a beautiful book, full of provocative thoughts for those who tries to understand the compassionate character of God. It's also an inspiration, as Nouwen proposes to understand, to become the "Father" we are called to be. Perhaps this will illuminate and encourage your own spiritual journey...
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