Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Return of the Prodigal Son
by Henri J.M. Nouwen
review by B. Hemphill
Henri J. M. Nouwen is a widely recognized spiritual writer. He has written over twenty-five books. His most famous work is the Wounded Healer. Rev. Nouwen has taught at universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame.
The Return of the Prodigal Son contains nine chapters. It begins with the story of the two sons and their father. The prologue describes the encounter the author has with the painting by Rembrandt. Nenri Nouman draws from the scriptures and describes each movement of the parable: the younger son’s return, the father’s restoration of son - ship, the elder son’s vengefulness, and the father’s compassion. It is the reflection of Rembrandts’ life in light of the authors’ own spiritual journey. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation are reminders to the reader of their own experience of loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger. For those who prefer a more traditional reading this book is seen as the “ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time.” According to the New Oxford Review, “…is a beautiful book, as beautiful in the simple clarity of its wisdom as in the terrible beauty of the transformation to which it calls us.”
review by B. Hemphill
Henri J. M. Nouwen is a widely recognized spiritual writer. He has written over twenty-five books. His most famous work is the Wounded Healer. Rev. Nouwen has taught at universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame.
The Return of the Prodigal Son contains nine chapters. It begins with the story of the two sons and their father. The prologue describes the encounter the author has with the painting by Rembrandt. Nenri Nouman draws from the scriptures and describes each movement of the parable: the younger son’s return, the father’s restoration of son - ship, the elder son’s vengefulness, and the father’s compassion. It is the reflection of Rembrandts’ life in light of the authors’ own spiritual journey. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation are reminders to the reader of their own experience of loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger. For those who prefer a more traditional reading this book is seen as the “ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time.” According to the New Oxford Review, “…is a beautiful book, as beautiful in the simple clarity of its wisdom as in the terrible beauty of the transformation to which it calls us.”
