The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Recounts author's personal journey after viewing Rembrandt's “The Return of the Prodigal Son” masterpiece. Nouwen recounts the gospel parable of the prodigal son and compares/analyses it in terms of how Rembrandt painted the scene. The painting caused Nouwen to see himself in each major character: the father and both of his sons. It's a powerful book and was very thought provoking and caused some self-analysis in myself.

It's good to start by saying that Henri Nouwen was a Catholic priest so this book reflects that. While I haven't read much on Catholicism or books written by Catholics, I could see his way of writing creatively, even when it comes to theology, thus, to me, an evangelical, this book read more as a reflection of Rembrandt's painting than of the story of the prodigal son. The title is very misleading because there's too little about the prodigal and too much of the painting of Rembrandt. Leaving that aside, here is a quote that I still find puzzling even after having read the book: “Jesus is the younger son without being rebellious, he is the older son without being resentful, in everything He is obedient to the Father without being His slave, He is everything the Father says but this does not make Him His servant. He does everything the Father sends Him to do.” You can form your own opinion. He will talk about not just one prodigal, his views are interesting and unique, let me give him that. While I may not agree with some of his conclusions or the way he gets there, it was still fascinating to see that Biblical story through other lenses. I probably would not have chosen to read this book but a friend who attends my church said it's her favourite book. I get it now as she likes novels a lot more and I prefer more deeper theology and less fiction.