I am deeply grateful to Tim Keller and his teaching on this text. Over the years it has had a major influence on my understanding of Jesus’ teaching/storytelling and my understanding of God’s grace in my own life. Tim has also written a book on this parable called “Prodigal God” that explores this parable in more depth.
Beadle Bailey's Babblings 
Interesting thoughts from Tim. I’m not sure that I agreed that he was lost, “because of his goodness.” That would seem to fly in the face of all the other times where Christ tells us that we will be judged based on our works, tells a parable asking the question, “Which son did the will of the father?”, tells us that those who love Him will obey Him, etc. Certainly Christ calls us to live lives of obedience, sanctity, and holiness – i.e. goodness. Good thoughts though, and I understand his point about Christianity not being merely “performance driven” and the warning that we can’t be our own saviors. You should read The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen. It’s an excellent book, I think you would really enjoy it.
Thanks for the thoughts friend! I think the point Tim was making was that both a “younger son” type and an “elder son” type can be doing the same good things. But the elder son is lost “because of his goodness” because he is relying on his goodness for salvation rather than the work of Christ. Motive is the issue, not the good works themselves. I have read Nouwen’s book – very good.
This is very interesting… I am glad that God knows my heart and deals with me accordingly… I just have to be in his presence at all times 😊