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Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Recounting the parable of the prodigal son, author Bryan Wolfmueller discusses the biblical account in light of our culture today.
The author focuses on "three slaveries": The Belly Slavery, which prioritizes our passions and desires; Despair, which causes us to feel trapped and unworthy of God's forgiveness and love; and Pride, which focuses on our self-centered nature. The conclusion points to the Gospel promises and freedom in Christ, emphasizing His forgiveness and love.
The author focuses on "three slaveries": The Belly Slavery, which prioritizes our passions and desires; Despair, which causes us to feel trapped and unworthy of God's forgiveness and love; and Pride, which focuses on our self-centered nature. The conclusion points to the Gospel promises and freedom in Christ, emphasizing His forgiveness and love.
64 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 9, 2026
I received this book, unsolicited, in the mail from CPH (the publisher).
Do we really need another book on the parable of the Prodigal Son? Sure.
Wolfmueller is cognizant of the volumes written on this parable already, but he wishes to drive home a particular point, namely that there are three "slaveries" this parable identifies. Wolfmueller warns against them, and shows how Christ rescues us from them.
The book is short. 63 pages. The pages are small, the font is large, the spacing is greater than "single" and there are blank spaces between each paragraph. This makes the book extremely accessible for people who are not in the habit of reading books (to say nothing of books on theology). You might say this book is a "stocking stuffer."
The theology in it is rich and Christ-focused. I don't know that Wolfmueller adds anything "new" to the interpretation of the Parable, which is a good thing. However, his focused presentation of the material is a gift to all. He doesn't get distracted from his point.
My one objection (and reason for a 4 star review) is this. In the introduction Wolfmueller says, "I'd like to focus on the older brother, who is sulking in the field" (5). He then spends the first two (of three!) chapters talking about the younger brother, and then only discusses the older brother in the last third of the book. The focus isn't on the older brother, but on the three slaveries that Christ overcomes.
I read the whole book in under and hour, and you can too. It'd be a good use of your time.
Do we really need another book on the parable of the Prodigal Son? Sure.
Wolfmueller is cognizant of the volumes written on this parable already, but he wishes to drive home a particular point, namely that there are three "slaveries" this parable identifies. Wolfmueller warns against them, and shows how Christ rescues us from them.
The book is short. 63 pages. The pages are small, the font is large, the spacing is greater than "single" and there are blank spaces between each paragraph. This makes the book extremely accessible for people who are not in the habit of reading books (to say nothing of books on theology). You might say this book is a "stocking stuffer."
The theology in it is rich and Christ-focused. I don't know that Wolfmueller adds anything "new" to the interpretation of the Parable, which is a good thing. However, his focused presentation of the material is a gift to all. He doesn't get distracted from his point.
My one objection (and reason for a 4 star review) is this. In the introduction Wolfmueller says, "I'd like to focus on the older brother, who is sulking in the field" (5). He then spends the first two (of three!) chapters talking about the younger brother, and then only discusses the older brother in the last third of the book. The focus isn't on the older brother, but on the three slaveries that Christ overcomes.
I read the whole book in under and hour, and you can too. It'd be a good use of your time.
January 26, 2026
This is a wonderfully written book—easy to read and very engaging. Pastor Wolfmueller presents three forms of slavery: our sinful flesh which makes us “belly slaves” (like the younger son); despair, (which the younger son in the parable experiences before he decides to return home), and pride, (the self-righteousness of the older son.) All three are slaveries we all experience, sometimes even managing “to do all three before breakfast,” as Wolfmueller states. Jesus wants to free us from each of these slaveries…and we need to know we can’t free ourselves. Grab this book and read about the three freedoms!
This book is only 63 pages long, in an easy to read font. I highly recommend it…you’ll have new understanding of this much-loved parable. You can also hear a three-part series of Pastor Wolfmueller discussing his book on the Issues, Etc. podcast—check that out too.
This book is only 63 pages long, in an easy to read font. I highly recommend it…you’ll have new understanding of this much-loved parable. You can also hear a three-part series of Pastor Wolfmueller discussing his book on the Issues, Etc. podcast—check that out too.
January 19, 2026
Wish it was longer. Loved the chapter on pride.
February 2, 2026
Audiobook.
Solid teaching. Wish it were longer. Nice and simple. Would be a good book for a young adult or teen, but still beneficial for older adults.
Solid teaching. Wish it were longer. Nice and simple. Would be a good book for a young adult or teen, but still beneficial for older adults.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews