Prodigal evangelical, the

This book explores in depth the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, suggesting that this one story carries in concentrated form the DNA of the message of Jesus. Exploring this parable and the wider biblical story arc in which it is set, Prodigality suggests a reframing of the gospel narrative in four key words: beauty, brokenness, forgiveness and invitation. These four words describe the human condition - we are beautiful, broken, forgiven and invited - and create a telling of the Christian story that centres on the breadth and depth of the love of God. Prodigality embraces the death of Christ as essentially about forgiveness. The cross is where it becomes possible both to be forgiven and to forgive: this is the game-changing force that creates the Christian movement. In both dimensions the forgiveness offered is unilateral. Prodigality describes Gerard?s personal experience of the cross as a life-changing encounter.