Grace is the only hope for any sinner.
John MacArthur is a prolific writer. True, much of his written material comes from sermons and series that he has preached and taught. Nevertheless, his writings are many and various. Today I’m starting a new line of review – booklets! I have received many booklets (and pamphlets) over the years that have been both profitable and unprofitable. If you are looking for resources for your biblical counseling, for your personal or church library, or even just for personal use this series is to help direct your steps to the best booklets. Let’s dig in!
The Prodigal Son and Redemption
When I picked this booklet up, I was unaware of the plot line. From the brief message on the front cover I knew it dealt with God’s redemption of mankind. However, I was surprised to find that the main illustration used to convey the point of redemption is the story of the two sons (known as the story of the prodigal son). After my initial surprise, I realized this story lines up quite well with the Gospel. The story presents three characters, a father and two sons. Each son has his own vices and each son responds differently to the loving care of their compassionate father. These sons serve as a masterful display of how we as humans respond to our own depravity as well as God’s holiness and mercy.
This booklet hits the mark. Mankind is depraved and completely evil, but great hope of salvation exists in the person and work of Jesus Christ! Though we must hear the bad news first (as the two sons must), the bad news in no way eclipses the good news to follow. That is, the good news of redemption and free forgiveness from the Father! This booklet explains in quite a detailed manner the two kinds of sinners that exist: the shameless and the stately. Hypocrites, pseudo-believers, blatant rebels, and shameful outcasts alike will all find their story woven through the narrative of this booklet. No one can read this and say it does not apply because we are all sinners.
If you are looking for a summary of the story of the prodigal, a summary of the gospel as applies to sinners, a summary of the beautiful mercy of our Great God, then you have come to the right booklet! I commend this resource to you and hope you will take the time to read it (reading time will be less than 2 hours for most readers) and share it!
**This booklet by John MacArthur can be found through his ministry at gty.org or on Amazon.
