Brennan Manning (1934–2013)

I was going to say this book wasn’t for the faint of heart, or those comfortable in their faith…then I changed my mind. It absolutely is for them (and I include myself in that crowd). I come away from this read convicted, uncomfortable, challenged, and frustrated with my own lackluster faith and uncourageous heart…and I have a feeling (both good, and scared, lol) that Manning would say, “Good. That’s the perfect spot for God to start.”

Okay, Lord. Here I am. Knees knocking and show more all. Bring it. show less

I met Brannan Manning first in his book [b:The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out|173526|The Ragamuffin Gospel Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out|Brennan Manning|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266488592s/173526.jpg|863196] that was published in 1990. I wonder if he'd reconsider some of the ideas he put forth in The Lion and the Lamb -- published in 1987, because I found myself confused as a reader.

Many ideas echoed the joyful voice of show more Ragamuffin Gospel, but more than once I felt bounced from a delightful, wild and trusting and "reckless" confidence in the love of God into a self-conscious, self-evaluation of my life of faith. Am I the 30%, 60% or 100% believer Manning profiles in his reading of the parable of the sower? (148-149) I always thought these numbers were about the amazing outcomes possible because of the work of the Spirit. And there's a distinct difference between 30% and 30 times...

I could not resonate with the notion that, according to Manning and the French poet Paul Claudel, "Since the incarnation, Jesus has only one desire: to recommence the human life he lilved. That's why he wants additional human natures, people who'll let him start over again." (77) Really? One incarnation was not sufficient? Perhaps the context -- an argument for the the value of suffering -- is what made me squirm. What about the yoke that is easy and the burden that is light? On a side note, I'm reading this in tandem with [b:When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times|687278|When Things Fall Apart Heart Advice for Difficult Times|Pema Chödrön|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320553046s/687278.jpg|2464740]. I'm curious about her non-theist thoughts on suffering...

Manning's uneven approach left me on guard and ready to argue when I'd hoped to engage and be challenged toward renewed faith and hope.

Manning does weave wonderful quotes through each chapter.
p 108 "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very act of existance becomes an act of rebellion." Albert Camus

p 116 "Not fearless and tearless, not unscarred and unshaken. Quite the contrary: you are a wounded healer, dreadfully vulnerable." Henry Nouwen

Manning himself writes with clarity and beauty...
p 132 "One of the most shocking contradictions in Christian living is the intense dislike many disciples of Jesus have for themselves. ...They are fed up with themselves, sick of their mediocrity, disgusted by their own inconsistency, bored by their own monotony. ...Through experiencing the relentless tenderness of Jesus, we learn first to be gentle with ourselves. ...It is simply not possible to know the Christ of the Gospels unless we alter our atttude toward ourselves and takes sides with Him, against our own self-evaluation. ... Would you like to know at this moment how Jesus feels about you? ...if you love yourself intensely and freely, then your feelings about yourself correspond perfectly to the sentiments of Jesus." show less

Far too often the truth of God’s grace has been polluted with legalism, rules and religion, hindering the children of God pursuing a life-giving, intimate relationship with their Creator-Father, and from receiving the acceptance and love purchased for them by Christ on Calvary.

The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning is a must read book that brings us back to this central truth of the Gospel of grace.

Filled with tangible examples from the Bible and our modern day world, the book propels show more us into a journey of encountering the Father’s passionate love for every person He has created, paralleling His desire that all come to Him through His Son Jesus.

Jesus’ immense suffering and sacrifice for us is the ultimate expression of that love and desire, shown in a way that could be called reckless and wasteful—giving His life in our place even though we fail to love Him day after day in so many ways, all of us continually facing the truth of our “ragamuffin” state.

I highlighted much throughout the book, especially in Chapter 8: Freedom from Fear. This chapter outlines various intricacies of fear’s poison in our lives, many we are often blind to.

The final section, a personal spiritual retreat, is a blessed addition to the book to help one enter more fully into the truth of God’s love and grace poured out upon us.

The only bothersome aspect of the book is the use of a few cuss words (which appeared not in the author’s writing but within quotations used for illustrations). Personally, I would rather the author paraphrased these additions without these words included.

Finally, the following quote from the spiritual retreat section perfectly summarizes the main premise and purpose of the book; furthermore, it clarifies the whole purpose every human being was made for by God:

“Is your relationship with Jesus marked by reckless love? Authentic Christianity, according to the Word, is this: It’s the thrill, the excitement, of falling in love with the risen, living Jesus Christ. He shows us the way to the Father, He pours out on us the Spirit of Pentecost—not so that we’ll be nicer people with better morals, but brand-new creations, human torches ignited with the flaming Spirit of the living God.”

I highly recommend this book!

Disclaimer: I received a free, review copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I'm still trying to grasp God's love in a way that doesn't contradict Jesus's warning about the strait gate, that only a sliver of fallen humanity will make it to the great wedding. Who will enjoy eternal life? And what does Jesus do for us in this life?

What I loved most about this book was the joyous delight in God's love, even producing a tangible affection, greater than the world's affection, that I don't see often in the church. I want that. His story about the Amish man is especially show more captivating. His story about an alcoholic's rock-bottom haunts me, and helps me appreciate the desperation of my own situation.

Brennan doesn't go into technical details of his doctrine, but wants the reader to taste the implications of God's amazing love for sinners. But I see why people say he's universalist. He says nothing can separate "anyone" from the love of Christ. That is something I doubt. He also says it's crucial for us to understand that forgiveness precedes repentance. That is something I want to grasp but I have a hard time with it.

It seems like he's saying that being born-again, "seized by the power of a great affection," (which is an awesome description) is the way for Jesus to help us to be loving and humble and more Christ-like. I agree that's biblical, and I desire it, but it's interesting that Brennan avoids discussing its implications for eternity. Jesus talked about Hell on a regular basis. Brennan does share (but does not endorse) "an ancient Christian legend" that sees Hell as a temporary place of torment before Jesus rescues them.

Brennan is the most affectionate Christian writer I've been exposed to, more than John Piper, way more even. And I need more of that. But this gospel isn't enough to address what bothers me most in scripture: false assurance and the strait gate. show less