"A Tale of Two Sons"

Subtitle: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder

The Prodigal Son parable is the longest, most gripping, and most well known parable that Jesus ever uttered.  Having read this parable a number of times myself, I thought I had learned all there was to learn from it.  However, after reading "A Tale of Two Sons" by pastor and theologian John MacArthur, I realized there was a wealth of knowledge and wisdom still to be uncovered in this most important parable.  MacArthur digs deep into the historical significance of the three protagonists fictional lives and the cultural settings in which the hearers of this parable (1st century Jews) would have understood its fullest meaning.  Another tremendous blessing taken from this book is the profound way in which MacArthur expounds God's love and forgiveness which He shows to all prodigals that have turned away from Him but who would return to God to find immediate mercy and grace and are warmly and strongly embraced and accepted.

But as MacArthur points out, the most important point Jesus wanted to get across through this parable is a warning to those who resent, are jealous of, or even express hatred toward God for His exuberant show of forgiveness and joy to those who are deemed totally unworthy by the rest of society (as demonstrated by the eldest son in the parable).  MacArthur concludes his book with an added ending to the parable (a 'shocking murder') which was taken from the real events that happened shortly after Jesus spoke this parable in public (I will not give that ending away here).

"A Tale of Two Sons" is easily one of the most illuminating and profound books I have ever read.  For those wishing to fully grasp the essential truths of the Prodigal Son story, John MacArthur's book will provide the detail and eternally imperative truths that Jesus purposed to reveal through this parable.

"The Prodigal Son is a living symbol of every sinner who has ever lived - including you and me."

- John MacArthur, A Tale of Two Sons, Chapter 5, pg 78

"The Pursuit of God"

Christians not satisfied with simply having "knowledge" of God, but additionally want to experience His presence from day-to-day, need look no further for a prime example of such a hunger for God than in the life of A.W. Tozer (1897-1963).  Tozer never settled for simply understanding correct doctrine, memorizing scripture, or faithfully attending church every Sunday.  Although Tozer counted all those things as good and necessary, he made it very clear that by themselves they were not enough to fill his heart; he needed to pursue and experience God's presence everyday of his life.  Tozer wrote, "It is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth."  Every morning Tozer would lay prostrate on his study room floor and seek and ultimately find God's presence, and the fruit of such a hunger is laid out in his masterpiece "The Pursuit of God."

Christians who have this same heart-felt desire to pursue God's presence daily would benefit greatly from studying this book from A.W. Tozer.  His book and life's example will help us to replicate the words of King David spoken to God in Psalm 27:8 - "You have said, 'Seek my face.'  My heart says to you, 'Your face, Lord, do I seek.'"

"The presence of God is the central fact of Christianity.  At the heart of the Christian message is God Himself waiting for His redeemed children to push into conscious awareness of His presence."

- A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, Chapter 3, pg 34-35

The Purpose of a Christian Library

The "Library of Christian Principles" is a blog where I can post, describe and promote books that I've read through which I've experienced positive and sanctifying effects in my walk with God.  With all the advances in technological gadgetry and the ever-increasing noise of city metropolises, the chance for Christians to have quiet, contemplative time alone with God is becoming more and more of a dying spiritual ideal.  This fact is causing a great spiritual decline in the areas of both personal fellowship between God and each individual believer, as well as the weakening of the Christian mind because believers today tend to put aside religious books in favour of TV remotes and that which appeals to the human eye.  For myself, some of the most intimate moments I have with God are when I am alone reading through evocative Christian literature written by men and women who themselves sought time alone with God on a continual basis.  It truly takes great discipline and self-control for Christians to turn off the world and pick up an edifying book to enrich their souls and to be in solitude with their Creator.  But the harvest of blessings that are reaped from such discipline and time alone with God while wading through God-honoring spiritual discourses cannot be ignored by Christians while in the type of world we live in today.

Although this blog is meant to promote extra-biblical books, it is in no way meant to discourage daily readings of the Bible itself.  Nor are the books promoted herein designed to replace or usurp the Word of God as the ultimate authority in a Christian's life, as 17th century Puritan Richard Baxter wrote, "Let the Holy Scriptures ever have the pre-eminence.  Let Scripture be first and most in your hearts and hands and other books be used as subservient to it."

As we continue to maintain our literary priorities by keeping the Bible paramount in our studies, at the same time may we also engage and interact with the books and writings of our brothers and sisters in current and past times upon whose shoulders and heritage we Christians stand today.

"Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to your soul."

- Proverbs 2:10