New eProdigals Website Released That Analyzes the Meaning in the Prodigal Son



The website eProdigals.com was launched for the first time on November 22, 2007 (Thanksgiving Day) to honor the continuing work of Kenneth E. Bailey. Now in his 70's, one of Bailey's main missions is to explain the meaning in the Prodigal Son (http://www.eprodigals.com) from a cultural perspective. With 35-plus years lived in the Middle East, he has a first hand experience of the people and culture of the Middle East. Besides a number of quotes from Bailey's work, this website incorporates a number of YouTube videos to complement the material.

The website includes a YouTube video of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son painting. In Christian circles, many know of the book Henri (Henry) Nouwen's The Return of The Prodigal Son (http://www.eprodigals.com/Henry-Nouwen-Prodigal/Henry-Nouwen-Return-Prodigal.html). In his book, Nouwen quotes Kenneth E. Bailey. It could be said that Bailey is able to paint a picture of The Prodigal Son from a cultural perspective as Nouwen is able to bring alive Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son.

On this website--as in his book The Cross & the Prodigal, Bailey provides an analysis of the parable the Prodigal Son (http://www.eprodigals.com/The-Prodigal-Son/The-Prodigal-Son.html). This 100 page paperback book was honored in 2006 as a "Year's Best Book for Preachers" by Preaching magazine.

The following is a quote from The Cross & The Prodigal, "The father's suffering at the beginning of the story has no effect on the prodigal son. The son isn't even aware of it. The son must first witness a demonstration of the father's suffering. Without witnessing this demonstration, the callous son will never understand that he is the cause of the broken relationship. Without the father's visible demonstration of suffering, the prodigal will return to the house as a servant. He will -- quite likely -- take on more and more of the characteristics of his older brother. Without this visible demonstration of costly love, there can be no reconciliation. Isn't this the story of the way God deals with the sin of the world on the cross"





New eProdigals Website Released That Analyzes the Meaning in the Prodigal Son