The Prodigal by Brennan Manning and Greg Garrett

        

           This book is a fictional story. But the message of forgiveness and a second chance is still up to date.

            “You know, Jack,” his father said, “whatever you’ve done, it can be forgiven.”

            “No,” Jack said. “I don’t think so.”

            “Well,” his father said with that old gruffness in his voice again, “ you’re the pastor. But I hope to God you’re wrong.”

            This uses the motif of the prodigal son thus the name. Jack is the pastor of a large self built church. He is known as the People’s Pastor. But he is caught in sexual sin and refuses to confess. He loses his church and his wife and his respect. No one wants to associate with him.

            But his father comes to get him and take him home. Once home he has to reestablish himself and find who he is. He is able to reinvent and restore his self respect.

            I enjoyed this book even through it was in places a bit simplistic. But the writer had only so many pages he could use. Even with those limitations he was able to tell a good story.

            Manning did not see the finished book. But his co-author Garrett was able to complete the project.

            I recommend this book for those who enjoy a good redemptive story.

            I received a copy of this book free as a member of the blog review team of BookSneeze. The views expressed are those of the author and not of the publisher.