Boundless Love: The Parable of the Prodigal Son and Reconciliation - Softcover

Huffstetler, Joel W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761840915 ISBN 13: 9780761840916

Publisher: UPA, 2008

Synopsis

Boundless Love provides a detailed survey of the scholarship on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the Prodigal Son-arguably the best loved and most familiar of Jesus' parables. Readers will find key insights regarding the teachings of the parable from leading experts on the Gospels including William Barclay, Kenneth Bailey, Fred Craddock, Luke Timothy Johnson, Henri Nouwen, Pheme Perkins, and N.T. Wright.

About this title

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Joel W. Huffstetler is Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Previously he served as Rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Canton, North Carolina and as Assistant to the Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Elon College and The School of Theology of The University of the South.

Review

With its focus on forgiveness, reconciliation, and joy, the Parable of the Prodigal Son goes to the very heart of Christianity. In this wise and thoughtful book, Joel Huffstetler manages to capture the essence of the parable and how, if we let it, it can transform us. (Dr. Rick Mathis, Author, The Christ-Centered Heart)

In this thorough and masterful examination of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Father Huffstetler presents a readable, scholarly, and spiritually uplifting gift to all Christians. His treatment of the two sons, who are so unalike and yet alike, and the all-embracing goodness and forgiveness of the father is not only fair, but immensely inspiring. Anyone who carefully reads this work and takes its message of reconciliation seriously will choose, by the very force of God's grace so vividly portrayed herein, to awaken to our universal need for Christian reconciliation, and perhaps to orient his or her faith toward compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation. (The Rev. Dr. Michael Doty, Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Tryon, North Carolina)

This book is an excellent resource for small group discussions or class seminars, useful both to average readers as well as the more scholarly. The bibliography is extensive, supporting further reading and research. Part I examines the Parable of the Prodigal Son itself with chapters devoted to each of the three principal persons―the younger son, the father, and the elder brother. Part II has chapters examining each person again as an aspect of the concept of reconciliation, but it would also be useful to [an] examination of many other concepts such as forgiveness, relationships, or the character of love. The reader will find many thought-provoking insights and suggestions in this work. (The Rev. Dr. Jack B. Van Hooser, Former Professor of Old Testament, Seabury Western Theological Seminary)

Joel Huffstetler guides his readers through this most literary of the parables, giving us a concise and useful overview of the scholarship. The book's greatest strength, though, is in the multitude of voices it brings together―theologians, novelists, political leaders, poets, and Huffstetler himself―all of whom remind us once again of the deep meaning we can find in the seemingly simple story of a father and two sons. Huffstetler's focus on reconciliation is timely and speaks to a wide range of challenges facing contemporary Christians. (Dr. Rachel Reneslacis, Assistant Professor of English, Lee University)

Many churches―perhaps most―have "Biblical study" as a regular feature, but few congregations, unfortunately, will generate a book by their collective labors. A few fortunate parishes will have scholarly pastors who integrate learnings from the people as well as the books and then share those learnings with others in books of their own. Joel Huffstetler is one such pastor. In this book, which began in parish Bible study, he argues that the parable of the prodigal son is especially useful in learning how to accomplish reconciliation. By considering each of the characters in this astonishing story not as unrelated models or choices or destinations but rather as closely related aspects of each one of us, we can learn to deal with each other as God deals with us all: repenting, forgiving, including, reconciling. Because Huffstetler includes many quotations from other writers (with bibliography), his book will be a useful compendium for those engaged in either individual or group study of this parable. (Dr. James W. Dunkly, School of Theology Librarian, Lecturer in New Testament, The University of the South)

Disunity seems to be the common theme that defines the reality of most of our lives. Division marks our world, our communities, our families, and even our churches. While reconciliation is sought, it by and large remains but an elusive hope. Dr. Huffstetler, in this well-documented exegesis and treatment, suggests that the Parable of the Prodigal Son offers not only one of the best-loved images of the costly grace of the father but a pattern for all of us if we are to find unity with one another in Christ. The volume is both scholarly and personal and invites the reader to an honest engagement on both levels. (The Rev. Dr. Gary E. Callahan, Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee)

In a time of great division and party spirit in the life of the church, Joel Huffstetler calls us to re-examine our common heritage in the teaching of our Lord on reconciliation in his parable of the Prodigal Son. In his wonderfully judicious way, Dr. Huffstetler succinctly weaves an enormous amount of teaching from many sources to focus us on the implications of our Lord's call to reconciliation in our own life and in our own actions towards others. He moves us beyond being correct and satisfied to that yearning place of relationship and righteousness in Christ that heals antipathies and forgives trespasses. (The Rev. Carter N. Paden III, Rector, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee)

In this brief work Joel Huffstetler presents the best of current writing on this richly nuanced parable. He challenges his readers with the image of the waiting father, who lavishes his love on both erring sons, discovering in this picture lessons for the transforming of lives and relationships. (Dr. Susan Rogers, Assistant Professor of English, Lee University)

... a definitive look at the story of the prodigal son. (The Rev. Dr. Don Armentrout, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, The University of the South)

A work that succeeds in appealing to both the scholar and the lay reader is rare indeed, but Joel Huffstetler's treatment of one of the Bible's best known parables fits into that category. After effectively providing the first extensive summary of scholarship available on the Prodigal Son, Huffstetler convincingly presents his own interpretations of the parable as primarily a story of reconciliation. It is both a thoughtful and thought-provoking study that will appeal to a wide audience. (Dr. Verbie Lovorn Prevost, Connor Professor of American Literature, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

Edition details

• Publisher: UPA
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0761840915
• ISBN 13: 9780761840916
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 90