David Brooks The Parable Of The Prodigal Sons

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The Parable of the Prodigal Sons is one of the most controversial stories known worldwide as recorded by Luke in Luke 12:11-32 of the Bible. The central theme of this story is one that can be applied many ways. Because of this, many religions have different meanings of this story in their religious text. The parable expresses a father’s love for his children as he always accepts them no matter what they have done. Moreover, the parable describes the father as a man that will receive his children with open arms and rejoice because “they were once lost, but now are found”. Although the Parable conveys a religious message, David Brooks (New York Times author) translates the Parable into a message in which he stresses the vitally important part forgiveness plays. I defend Brooks as he sides with the father while he emphasizes that forgiveness enables an individual’s improvement, flaws are within all individuals and that forgiveness does not only aid troubled individuals but society as well. Forgiveness ameliorates the quality …show more content…

As the older son in the parable worked hard and obeyed his father faithfully he also faced problems within that was made known through Brooks translation as he states that the elder brother “wasn’t really working to honor his father, [rather] he was working for material reward and out of a fear based moralism” further going on to recognize that “the line between good and evil doesn’t run between people or classes, it runs straight through every human heart”. Despite the fact that the older son was portrayed as one that was righteous and obedient he wasn’t working with his whole heart rather working in hopes of receiving his father inheritance further proving my point that flaws are found within all individuals no matter their personal strengths nor intellectual