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Summary: A beautiful story of God's unconditional love for us.
Review: This book may very well change the way you view God. Using Rembrandt's masterpiece as a backdrop, Father Nouwen shares some defining moments in his spiritual journey that leads to a much deeper relationship with God. By examining the parable of the Prodigal Son in conjunction with the painting, Nouwen shows us that God's love is unconditional and that it is He who reaches out to us. Finally, we are called to mature from our role as prodigal son or elder son to become the father. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Powerful & Life-Changing
Review: This book speaks powerfully of God as our Father, and of the roles we play in relation to Him. Henri J.M. Nouwen shares very effectively what the parable of the Prodigal Son (and the Rembrandt painting reproduced on the book's cover) meant to him. He also helps us to see ourselves from the point of view of the wayward son, his angry older brother, and the loving father waiting for his child to return home."The Return Of The Prodigal Son" helped me truly see God as my Father for the first time in 30 years of being a Christian. It's well worth your time.
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Summary: Coming home...
Review: This book takes and incredible look at Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, depicting how is portrays the spiritual journey. Nouwen's own interest with the story stems from his experience studying Rembrandt's painting of the subject. The book weaves these reflections on the painting, the life of Rembrandt and his own life to describe a spiritual journey from the runaway youngest to the spiteful older brother to the welcoming father. Powerful!
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Summary: Best Religious Book Read Yet
Review: This book was recommended by our priest. It was easy to read, and not terribly long. It told a beautiful story and gave several new dimensions to one of the most told (and I would now say least understood) parables.
Rating:
Summary: Best Religious Book Read Yet
Review: This book was recommended by our priest. It was easy to read, and not terribly long. It told a beautiful story and gave several new dimensions to one of the most told (and I would now say least understood) parables.
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Summary: an honest story about faith
Review: This book: Nouwen simple faith in a God who loves his runaway childern brings great insight into the life of Grace and being a follower of Christ. A must read for anyone who struggles with pushing too hard to be a "good" Christian. This book delevers to all Christians regardless of background and spiritual walk...Grace and love are the lessons of this text...and a hard one at that...based on the teachings of Christ and Nouwen's meditations of the famous Rembrant painting housed in Russia titled " Return of the Prodigal Son". It is also a good read because it gives us a look at the life of Henri J. M. Nouwen, he eagerly shares his own personal trials and how he has related to the parable of the Prodigal Son. This books is on of my top ten.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: This is a deeply spiritual book which deserves to be read several times. I have read it at least three times already and each time there is more to inspire and more to meditate upon. I really believe that reading this book with an open mind and heart can be life changing. Henri Nouwen is an excellent writer of inspirational literature.
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Summary: Stay away !!!!!
Review: This is a very poor atempt at a spiritual journey. The idea is great and the book seems appealing when you pick it and browse through it . However, quite honestly, this is one of the very few books I have not been able to finish. Life is too short to waste precious hours on this brick.
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Summary: I am going to read all of Nouwen now.
Review: This is such an amazing book. I has been a blessing to me in so many ways. I bought the Rembrant and it is hanging in my bedroom - reminding me to strive to grow in love. This book will be in the Christmas stocking of many of the people I care about. It is special.
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Summary: If you Read Only One Spiritual Book This Year, Read This One
Review: This is the best spiritual book I have read in a long time. Henri Nouwen needs no introduction, but this is the best of his works. It's destined to become a spiritual classic of our time. Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, has long been meaningful to him, not just because of its own beauty, but also because of Nouwen's alienation from his own father which is resolved in the course of the book. He identifies with, and invites us to do so as well, the younger son who is forgiven the grosser and more obvious sins, and the older son who is forgiven the more hidden and meaner sins, and most of all the father who shows us the infinite compassion and unconditional love of God and who calls us to have that same love and compassion for others. The book is a wonderful marriage of spirituality and art, like Nouwen's earlier book Behold the Beauty of the Lord.
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