What do you think?
Rate this book
The Prodigal Prophet
‘At times painful, at times strange, yet deeply human with a wry wit that often had me laughing, “The Prodigal Prophet” is a book I am glad I read. Dylan Morrison is a man with a large heart and an eye that sees deeply.’
The Prodigal Prophet is a page-turning, roller coaster tale of one man's spiritual quest. Travelling through the emotional mine fields of spiritual abuse and religious disillusionment, Morrison's powerful narrative ignites our own hunger for answers to life's big questions. He unexpectedly finds what he's looking for in the most unlikely of places. We might too!
The Prodigal Prophet is a page-turning, roller coaster tale of one man's spiritual quest. Travelling through the emotional mine fields of spiritual abuse and religious disillusionment, Morrison's powerful narrative ignites our own hunger for answers to life's big questions. He unexpectedly finds what he's looking for in the most unlikely of places. We might too!
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Dylan Morrison
8 books14 followersDylan Morrison is an Irish spiritual author and out of the box Yeshua thinker, now resident in the beautiful cathedral city of Lincoln, England.
A high school mathematics teacher in a previous incarnation he unexpectedly became an author after two mystical experiences gate crashed his humdrum life back in June 2004.
Dylan writes from an inspiring stream of consciousness, particularly for those damaged by or just curious about the psycho-spiritual religious world.
His aim is to remove the religious packaging from around the Jewish prophet-teacher, Yeshua bar Yosef, by inviting his readers into a practical experience of the Nazarene's radical, but inclusive spirituality.
Dylan's first book 'The Prodigal Prophet', a 'Wizard of Oz' meets Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', details his roller coaster journey in search of the Divine in the often whacky yet deeply tragic world of Irish Charismatic religion.
Dylan's second book 'Bolts From The Blue', an inspirational daily reader on the mystical search for meaning is now available in paperback and Kindle editions.
'Way Beyond The Blue' is Dylan's third book, a book for both mind and heart. Rooted in the often neglected practice of Christian mysticism, Irish contemplative, Dylan leads us into an exploratory roller-coaster tour of our inner and outer psychological landscapes.
Recently published, 'Matrix Messiah' is possibly Dylan's most controversial book to date, examine as it does the human predicament and the Nazarene, Yeshua bar Yosef, from the perspective of mimetic theory and transpersonal psychology. The hidden message of history's leading religious icon sheds new light on our most human of problems; rivalry and its resulting violence.
Dylan's wife Zan is glad that he writes - it gives her a few hours each day to enjoy the resulting peace and quiet that his literary endeavours require.
A high school mathematics teacher in a previous incarnation he unexpectedly became an author after two mystical experiences gate crashed his humdrum life back in June 2004.
Dylan writes from an inspiring stream of consciousness, particularly for those damaged by or just curious about the psycho-spiritual religious world.
His aim is to remove the religious packaging from around the Jewish prophet-teacher, Yeshua bar Yosef, by inviting his readers into a practical experience of the Nazarene's radical, but inclusive spirituality.
Dylan's first book 'The Prodigal Prophet', a 'Wizard of Oz' meets Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', details his roller coaster journey in search of the Divine in the often whacky yet deeply tragic world of Irish Charismatic religion.
Dylan's second book 'Bolts From The Blue', an inspirational daily reader on the mystical search for meaning is now available in paperback and Kindle editions.
'Way Beyond The Blue' is Dylan's third book, a book for both mind and heart. Rooted in the often neglected practice of Christian mysticism, Irish contemplative, Dylan leads us into an exploratory roller-coaster tour of our inner and outer psychological landscapes.
Recently published, 'Matrix Messiah' is possibly Dylan's most controversial book to date, examine as it does the human predicament and the Nazarene, Yeshua bar Yosef, from the perspective of mimetic theory and transpersonal psychology. The hidden message of history's leading religious icon sheds new light on our most human of problems; rivalry and its resulting violence.
Dylan's wife Zan is glad that he writes - it gives her a few hours each day to enjoy the resulting peace and quiet that his literary endeavours require.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 7, 2013
I am having a lot of empathy for this guy and am kind of mesmerized by the book. It is a well written and well edited book too. I think you would like it. When I had read 50.0% of the book, I said,"This gets better as I read it. On one page he says,"Maybe this is what salvation was suppose to be all along...not a set of beliefs or practices but a wild love affair..." He's sure right about that. Reading this is a real pleasure."
And when I was 77.0% finished I wrote, "This book makes me want to read on forever and I am relating so much of it to my own journey. I can see, in retrospect, from reading this, how god was working through some bad choices of mine to get me where he wanted me. I would have to recommend it to anyone interested in psychology or having a love affair with their creator. That covers a large area."
And when I was 77.0% finished I wrote, "This book makes me want to read on forever and I am relating so much of it to my own journey. I can see, in retrospect, from reading this, how god was working through some bad choices of mine to get me where he wanted me. I would have to recommend it to anyone interested in psychology or having a love affair with their creator. That covers a large area."
January 8, 2013
I enjoyed this read very much. I found a kindred spirit with the author and can truly relate too his experience as it mirrors much of my own.
February 19, 2013
I was both attracted to and repelled by the contents in this book. As I analyzed why I felt these two contradictory emotions, I realized this book contains two distinct, albeit related, threads and subject matter. For some readers that may not matter, but for others it can be key to not throwing the book out prematurely.
The primary subject matter is spiritual manipulation and abuse. The author, Dylan, describes his life journey that traveled through various religious systems and experiences. He journals how he found himself in a system of spiritual and emotional abuse and how he made his way out of it.
This brings up the second subject matter: how Dylan found his way out. He describes how discovering and embracing a mystical Christian spirituality (as opposed to a doctrinal, institutional system) was his route to escape and healing.
It is this second subject matter that may turn off many Christian readers. What he describes could be considered suspect and "new-agey", even for Christians whose experience is in a highly charismatic environment. For someone like me, whose experience is quite traditional and more intellectual than mystical, Dylan's description of his mystical journey was very uncomfortable to read. A large portion of his experiences would be what I had been taught as "satanic", or at the very least, un-Christian.
Why I found the book attractive, on the other hand, was that his description of spiritual manipulation, abuse, and control reflects a little of my own experiences in a hierarchical, strongly centralized Christian institution. I could see myself relating to many of Dylan's experiences in relation to institutional religion. I could see myself in his efforts to break free. And that gives me hope that I do not have to submit my freedom and conscience to an entity that claims to speak for God. The most powerful and provocative statement (for me) comes towards the end of the book where Dylan writes,
That is a question I have been asking and wrestling with for quite some time now. If the Jesus is the only head of the church and the Holy Spirit is His means of leading his people, why are Christians so fixated on systems, doctrines, and institutions? Do we not trust the Holy Spirit to keep Christ followers out of ditches?
The objection so often raised is that unless there be some control over things, Christianity will devolve into chaos and people will believe and do whatever they jolly well please. Here lies the book's main thesis: all attempts to control, even for good reasons, inevitably lead to manipulation and abuse, much of which may be quite subconscious and unintended, but nevertheless remains as such.
Dylan's thesis is based primarily on Girard's mimetic theory. In brief it is that followers admire and want the approval of their leaders, so the followers mimic the leaders. The leaders, consciously and subconsciously enable this, because it strokes their ego. As the followers become more like the leaders, the leaders feel threatened and pull away. This creates a vicious cycle where the followers, who now feel disapproval, seek to regain it by become even better mimics, resulting in even more threatening feelings by the leaders. Eventually the leaders scapegoat their closest followers and force them away. If the reader rejects this theory, the book's thesis is certainly weakened, although I do not think the key messages are destroyed.
This book is written as an autobiographical journal and should be read that way. It is not primarily about theology or psychology. It is not a manual about identifying and fixing spiritual abuse. It should be read more as a parable that points readers to recognizing spiritual abuse in themselves and in people and systems around them - as abusers and/or as an abused.
The value of this book is in recognizing the hurts that religion so frequently inflicts, that the abused are not alone in their suffering, and in providing hope that one can maintain faith and spirituality while rejecting the systems of abuse.
The primary subject matter is spiritual manipulation and abuse. The author, Dylan, describes his life journey that traveled through various religious systems and experiences. He journals how he found himself in a system of spiritual and emotional abuse and how he made his way out of it.
This brings up the second subject matter: how Dylan found his way out. He describes how discovering and embracing a mystical Christian spirituality (as opposed to a doctrinal, institutional system) was his route to escape and healing.
It is this second subject matter that may turn off many Christian readers. What he describes could be considered suspect and "new-agey", even for Christians whose experience is in a highly charismatic environment. For someone like me, whose experience is quite traditional and more intellectual than mystical, Dylan's description of his mystical journey was very uncomfortable to read. A large portion of his experiences would be what I had been taught as "satanic", or at the very least, un-Christian.
Why I found the book attractive, on the other hand, was that his description of spiritual manipulation, abuse, and control reflects a little of my own experiences in a hierarchical, strongly centralized Christian institution. I could see myself relating to many of Dylan's experiences in relation to institutional religion. I could see myself in his efforts to break free. And that gives me hope that I do not have to submit my freedom and conscience to an entity that claims to speak for God. The most powerful and provocative statement (for me) comes towards the end of the book where Dylan writes,
"Accountability appears to be the sacred bulwark of today's religious enthusiasts; they can't, or won't, trust their own interpretation of their God experiences. Instead they doggedly hang onto the coat tails of their favourite religious expert. If, as Jesus radically claimed, the Spirit is now within each of His followers, what were the chances of falling off their religions rails?" [emphasis mine]
That is a question I have been asking and wrestling with for quite some time now. If the Jesus is the only head of the church and the Holy Spirit is His means of leading his people, why are Christians so fixated on systems, doctrines, and institutions? Do we not trust the Holy Spirit to keep Christ followers out of ditches?
The objection so often raised is that unless there be some control over things, Christianity will devolve into chaos and people will believe and do whatever they jolly well please. Here lies the book's main thesis: all attempts to control, even for good reasons, inevitably lead to manipulation and abuse, much of which may be quite subconscious and unintended, but nevertheless remains as such.
Dylan's thesis is based primarily on Girard's mimetic theory. In brief it is that followers admire and want the approval of their leaders, so the followers mimic the leaders. The leaders, consciously and subconsciously enable this, because it strokes their ego. As the followers become more like the leaders, the leaders feel threatened and pull away. This creates a vicious cycle where the followers, who now feel disapproval, seek to regain it by become even better mimics, resulting in even more threatening feelings by the leaders. Eventually the leaders scapegoat their closest followers and force them away. If the reader rejects this theory, the book's thesis is certainly weakened, although I do not think the key messages are destroyed.
This book is written as an autobiographical journal and should be read that way. It is not primarily about theology or psychology. It is not a manual about identifying and fixing spiritual abuse. It should be read more as a parable that points readers to recognizing spiritual abuse in themselves and in people and systems around them - as abusers and/or as an abused.
The value of this book is in recognizing the hurts that religion so frequently inflicts, that the abused are not alone in their suffering, and in providing hope that one can maintain faith and spirituality while rejecting the systems of abuse.
May 8, 2017
A Spiritual Journey
If you are a Christian with questions or someone who has taken a turn in your spiritual walk, or someone who has stayed away from religion altogether, you will appreciate reading about Dylan's journey. A fundamentalist Christian with the gift of prophecy, he became disillusioned with the"business" of religion and began to seek more and more for answers within himself. What he discovered is that "there exists an intelligent loving presence in the cosmos that will ultimately have its desire for relationship fulfilled." That love is within each of us and it will be discovered. To a great extent Dylan's journey mirrors my own and many others. I really enjoyed this book.
If you are a Christian with questions or someone who has taken a turn in your spiritual walk, or someone who has stayed away from religion altogether, you will appreciate reading about Dylan's journey. A fundamentalist Christian with the gift of prophecy, he became disillusioned with the"business" of religion and began to seek more and more for answers within himself. What he discovered is that "there exists an intelligent loving presence in the cosmos that will ultimately have its desire for relationship fulfilled." That love is within each of us and it will be discovered. To a great extent Dylan's journey mirrors my own and many others. I really enjoyed this book.
October 11, 2019
What an interesting story of how God works in our individual lives and guides us through life. Some non-traditional, non-religious (thank God) views and insights, but very interesting and encouraging to know we can have real interaction with the God of the universe on a personal level. This book points out how modern-day religion and denominationalism is not the means God wants to work through. It is a real, day by day communion through the Spirit that our Father wants with each of us.
Read
September 4, 2017Anyone struggling with anything "Religion" should read this great book.
February 22, 2013
Just So-o-o-o Entertaining,and Poignant! A quest for Truth!!!, February 22, 2013
By Reverend Dr. Linda De Coff
This review is from: The Prodigal Prophet (Kindle Edition)
I thoroughly enjoyed every Chapter of the Prodigal Prophet, and the story of the author's quest for ultimate spiritual Truth. Having come from a part Irish background, strong in the Catholic faith ~ I really identify with the early stories, rich in local Irish culture, and the vibrant painting of all the background influences, in which he strives so passionately to continue rising above the mesmeric influences of the various charismatic groups he encounters, and as he vividly depicts historical hierarchical influences of the time arising in Ireland and America,with himself even rising into local notoriety as a dynamic visionary interpreter of other's dreams, signs and symbols. As the author progresses ever onward and upward ~ throughout the maze, he yet is compelled by some inner force and persists in devoted pursuit of his singlular Divine connection. The reader is delighted with the humorous stories of rivalry and competition, and the oh so familiar "thralldom" when a new path appears, the inevitable disappointment when leadership gets carried away with itself and once again disappoints, and yes, once again then...the lone earnest seeker strikes out into the desert of solitude, like El Topo, surpassing the group to ultimately to find that Jeshua, his beloved, is and has always been within, and that small acts of love amongst the new acquaintances he would then make, would have more of the Holy connection in them, than all the dramatic "important" meetings he could ever attend. Just so entertaining, poignant, and filled with all the faux pas that any true seeker of the sublime and the Divine encounters , yet all the while so meaningful, passionate and earnest and definitely this author's calling from very early on. I must add that I love to read the ongoing articles of Dylan Morrision as he continues to share further discoveries re: his path of discovery and individuation on his journey into the Divine and Eternally Real. Dylan Morrison shares with us the pulls of the heart within and yearning for the Highest and the Pure...that so many of us know. ~ Reviewed by Reverend Dr. Linda De Coff/Author/BRIDGE OF THE GODS, A Handbook for Ascending Humanity ~ The Golden Pathway to your Highest God Self! Founder/New Thought International, Inc.
February 24, 2011
I think the expression 'Oh My God' was coined to describe this book. I cannot work out whether it is horrifying, hilarious, laughable, insightful, informative, or just plain bizarre.
Whatever it is, it is hard not to be transfixed by some emotion or another.
And, actually, it is definitely informative because I have no doubt it represents the gospel truth about how aspects of Christianity are exploited to nefarious ends. The Christian Church - whatever the denomination - has a horrible history of subverting a beautiful theology / philosophy for personal gain. Dylan Morrison's 'The Prodigal Prophet' incontrovertibly demonstrates that while the Christian Church is a bit short on burnings, torture and indeed genocide nowadays (beyond the activities of a few mass suicidal sects), vainglory, power and the obscene accumulation of wealth are very much still where it's at.
The only question I have is why the author fell for these cheap tricks time and time again when he appears to be a perfectly sane (beyond the avowed depression) and highly astute observer of his own Calvary at the hands of a series of rank charlatans.
I suppose that is th skill of the professional conman. You may even know you are being defrauded, but somehow you want them to succeed, even against you.
If you suspect that the leaders of the Christian Churches aren't very Christian and, by analogy, that the leaders of the Spiritual movement aren't very spiritual, this is a book to bolster you in that faith - that nothing, but nothing, is sacred once the all-too-humans get it in their sights.
Whatever it is, it is hard not to be transfixed by some emotion or another.
And, actually, it is definitely informative because I have no doubt it represents the gospel truth about how aspects of Christianity are exploited to nefarious ends. The Christian Church - whatever the denomination - has a horrible history of subverting a beautiful theology / philosophy for personal gain. Dylan Morrison's 'The Prodigal Prophet' incontrovertibly demonstrates that while the Christian Church is a bit short on burnings, torture and indeed genocide nowadays (beyond the activities of a few mass suicidal sects), vainglory, power and the obscene accumulation of wealth are very much still where it's at.
The only question I have is why the author fell for these cheap tricks time and time again when he appears to be a perfectly sane (beyond the avowed depression) and highly astute observer of his own Calvary at the hands of a series of rank charlatans.
I suppose that is th skill of the professional conman. You may even know you are being defrauded, but somehow you want them to succeed, even against you.
If you suspect that the leaders of the Christian Churches aren't very Christian and, by analogy, that the leaders of the Spiritual movement aren't very spiritual, this is a book to bolster you in that faith - that nothing, but nothing, is sacred once the all-too-humans get it in their sights.
February 12, 2014
"The Prodigal Prophet" begins with promise, but half-way through descends into arrogance and an unbridled, "christianized" spiritism. I resonated with the first part of the book as the damaging elements of power-based Christianity were exposed. But about halfway through it becomes clear that Morrison isn't simply opposed to abusive and extreme institutional, hierarchical Christianity, but anyone who doesn't recognize his "greatness" as a prophet. He finally ends up in a Christless faith where an impersonal "Spirit" communicates directly to him through dreams and visions. Those who don't respond to his visions and interpretations are accused of man-made, power-hungry Christianity.
Not only are such Christians Pharisaical and disconnected from God, but Morrison believes they are responsible for the psychological "damage" he's endured over the years. Though he claims such Christians manifest an "orphan spirit" because they are trying to please men rather than God, he fails to recognize his own "victim spirit," in which continually blames church after church and leader after leader for his struggles. It gets tiring to read after awhile.
This story ends up being the tale of a restless journey from charismatic fad to fad, teacher to teacher. My suspicion is that humility, community, and Scripture would lead Morrison to what he seeks. Suggesting such a thing, however, probably reveals my religious spirit.
Not only are such Christians Pharisaical and disconnected from God, but Morrison believes they are responsible for the psychological "damage" he's endured over the years. Though he claims such Christians manifest an "orphan spirit" because they are trying to please men rather than God, he fails to recognize his own "victim spirit," in which continually blames church after church and leader after leader for his struggles. It gets tiring to read after awhile.
This story ends up being the tale of a restless journey from charismatic fad to fad, teacher to teacher. My suspicion is that humility, community, and Scripture would lead Morrison to what he seeks. Suggesting such a thing, however, probably reveals my religious spirit.
July 16, 2013
What an interesting story of how God works in our individual lives and guides us through life. Some non-traditional, non-religious (thank God) views and insights, but very interesting and encouraging to know we can have real interaction with the God of the universe on a personal level. This book points out how modern-day religion and denominationalism is not the means God wants to work through. It is a real, day by day communion through the Spirit that our Father wants with each of us.
August 29, 2013
A very honest account of a man's spiritual journey through Christendom. From evangelical, to hardcore fundamentalist, to all the weirdness of the charismatic movement, Morrison give an amazingly stark and refreshing rendering of his path navigating the waters of modern Christianity. This book is entertaining, emotional, insightful and amazingly devoid of any malice or judgment. Well worth the read.
October 13, 2013
I found this to be a compelling and fascinating read. It took me on a journey through some of the more extreme Christian sects and the damage that can be done in the name of religion. Sadly, churches are made up of flawed human beings, like any group.
October 23, 2012
I'm not quite sure why the author changed names and places, since his descriptions are detailed enough for anyone from Northern Ireland to readily identify all concerned.
November 25, 2013
I really thought this book was an interesting read. I was enlighten my his experiences from his youth to recently.
June 11, 2014
Good read .... food for thought. On to his next book ... soon.
November 13, 2016
Wanted to add my early review of another of Dylan's books...
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershea...
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershea...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews