This month I am reading Tim Keller’s book “Prodigal God” for the third time. The first time was a quick read. The second time was a staff exercise. The third time is in preparation for a sermon series. With each reading, my appreciation for the Parable of the Prodigal Son grows exponentially.
Today it occurred to me that the lost younger son (in the Parable) represents modern-day liberalism, while the lost older son represents modern-day conservatism. (Although I don’t believe that Jesus ever had American politics in mind, it’s certainly relevant to the discussion.)
The lost younger son represents self-discovery and self-expression. The lost older son represents moral conformity. The lost younger son represents grace and tolerance. The lost older son represents hard work and justice. Again, the lost younger son parallels liberalism while the lost older son parallels conservatism.
Liberalism, the lost younger son, has the right heart but the wrong rules. Conservatism, the lost older son, has the right rules but the wrong heart. Either way, they’re both lost.
