I wrote a little book about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I think you’ll like it. I had a little note on my desk while I wrote it: “Awaken Angelic Joy.” Jesus invites us into this heavenly angelic joy, and I hope this little book helps you to taste and see that the Lord is good. -PrBW
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Freedom from Your Favorite Slaveries
We all wander through life looking for freedom—only to discover we’ve enslaved ourselves to pleasure, despair, and pride.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son exposes our three favorite slaveries and reveals how the Gospel delivers the only real freedom: a secure place in the Father’s house.
The Three Slaveries
The Slavery of Pleasure
The younger son chases his lusts and finds himself feeding pigs, enslaved to his belly. We trade our inheritance for fleeting pleasures that leave us empty and far from home.
The Slavery of Despair
“Make me as one of your hired servants.” The prodigal plots his return, hoping to earn his way back. We too rehearse our confessions and plan our service, sinking under the weight of our failures.
The Slavery of Pride
The older brother stands outside the party, arms crossed, refusing to enter. He’s kept all the rules but lost the joy. Pride keeps us from the feast, comparing ourselves to others while missing the Father’s love.
The Three Freedoms
Freedom from Sin through Contrition
The Law shows us we are sinners who have offended God. This knowledge sets us free from the delusion that we’re doing just fine.
Freedom from Despair through Faith
The Father runs down the path, robes flying, and wraps His arms around the returning son. “This, my son, was lost and is found.” Faith trusts this promise: Christ died for sinners. Your sins are forgiven.
Freedom for Joy through Love
With our place in the Father’s house secure, we’re finally free to love God and neighbor without the crushing burden of self-justification. The angels rejoice—and so can we.
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Praise for Finally Free
“Pastor Wolfmueller is a remarkable pastoral theologian. The remarkable clarity of the Gospel, which animates all Pastor W’s work, shines even more brightly in this little gem of a book. Pastor W speaks to the Pharisee in every one of us and drives us to repentance, forgiveness in Jesus, and joy in living forgiven as we encounter our neighbors.”
—Pastor Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS President
“Bryan Wolfmueller is well known for his ability to break down abstract biblical ideas into life-changing spiritual truths. He does it again in this beautiful book by employing insights from Lutheran theology (especially Law and Gospel) and highlighting three slaveries that threaten us and three freedoms lavishly given to us by God through Christ Jesus.”
—Reed Lessing, The Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Concordia University, St. Paul