Liberalism, Conservatism, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son
December 9, 2009This 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.
I find it interesting that when I was kid growing up in church all classes always focused on the younger son. The older son was merely mentioned as an after thought. Afterall what 10 year old wants to hear about a son who actually obeys mom and dad! Probably ever since I’ve been in college, most lessons I’ve heard on the prodigal son focus on the older son with a mere mention of the younger son. Not sure if there’s a lesson in that, other than perhaps as we grow and mature as Christians our understanding of following Christ becomes more complicated? or more difficult? Perhaps forcing us to rely more on faith than our own understanding.
I think you should look at John MacArthur’s book & dvd series on the story of the Prodigal Son. As I understand it, the two sons represent two kind of sinners, one silent and one is straight forward blatant prodigal. The elder son represents the Pharisees who eventually kill Jesus further in the gospel.
http://christcomesfirst.com/2010/02/28/prodigal-son-story-incredible-illustration/