Erwin Raphael McManus

McManus has yet to write a book that does not make me think. Honestly, I stumbled upon this book in a used bookstore. It was tucked in backwards on the shelf, hardly even seen. I might have skipped over it had I not pulled a book right next to it.

Arrows....for me the arrow has always been a symbol along with the feather in my spiritual jouney. It has reminded me often that I am no alone of the journey. It has been a reminder that I am not weak because of the trauma I have walked through. It show more has been a symbol of strength, purpose, direction, action. The arrow......it has been my secret weapon.

McManus addresses the need to give all of who we are and what we are in this life. We are living now not only for the present but for the future.

In the end - after 6 years on the mission field in an area filled apathy and extreme challenges I had shelved so much of myself. I had become self-limiting and doubtful, even unsure of my own convictions and giftings. It was not that I questioned God but I questioned myself and my ability to do what God wanted me to do.

McManus reminded me that We have a choice. I will unapologetically fire all my arrows. I will pursue life and God with abandon and without regret. And I will allow others to do what it is they want. But for me - your beliefs about me, my abilities, my capabilities, my gifts - they no longer matter.

This did take me longer to read because I found myself with a journal and pen at my side throughout the reading. And...unlike most of my books this one can't be shared, the book itself is filled with thoughts, prayers, desperate pleadings of my soul to the heart of God, wonderings of my mind, questions about my purpose, my journey and my life. It is for all intents and purposes a representation of a spiritual journey or re-awakening. It will be eventually packed into a box with all my other journals, writings and Bibles and maybe years after I am gone the impact that McManus had on my life will be rediscovered and hopefully those who pore over the pages of that book will be able to see evidence of the change in my life and make changes in their own. show less

A manifesto for living a Christian life that is wild, daring, untamed and, largely it seems, untried. McManus' passion gives rise to a strident tone and his milataristic imagery and decidely male outlook may be off-putting to the femministas but - without question - this is a book that grabs one's attention. And let's face it, a lot of churches don't know how to speak to men. Most of the churches I've visited over the last couple of years have about two-thirds women in the pews. I think this show more is because the average evangelical church in North America today has adopted a Jesus who is a pale imitation of his true self. If you're feeling a little uncomfortable with worship songs that sound like Jesus is your boyfriend, or playing nice all the time, or if you're maybe - just maybe - looking for an expression of your faith that is a little more challenging than standing up to sing (and sitting down when you're told) this might be the book for you. Frankly, it was nice to hear speak my language for a change. show less

Rhis small book "The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith within" is heavier in its content than in its size of its pages. I have read a number of McManus’ books in the past and the one that had that had the greatest impact and a message I believe the people of God need to hear is this book.

Erwin throws down the gauntlet and challenges Christ followers to abandon their safe, domesticated, and civilized faith to live the way Christ called his followers to live. McManus titles this show more manner of spending one’s life for Christ, the barbarian way.

McManus says to be barbaric is whenever you choose to live a faith of faith even when it takes you in a world of uncertainty. When this type of faith is unleashed it sometimes leads us into places of danger and also brings undesired disruptions in our life. He gives biblical life examples of how the followers of Jesus lived on the edge yet always trusting in their Lord. One he mention was the story of John the Baptist sending word to Jesus while in prison, and when Jesus did not save John from prison or death. McManus says, “Actually, God’s will for us is less about our comfort than it is about our contribution. God would never choose for us safety at the cost of significance. God created you so that your life would count, not so that you could count the days of your life.”

The author points out that Jesus did not endure death on the cross just so that we would be nice people who behave themselves. McManus says, “The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go.” Oh how domesticated Christians are far too easily pleased and willing to avoid the battle for the soul of the world. McManus instead emphasizes in this book how Jesus calls us to a different way of wild and untamed Christianity as described of the Christ followers in Acts 17:6 “These men who have turned the world upside down.”

This book is a fire starter which I highly recommend to anyone looking to grow in their passion or find a passion for the Gospel. I have read a vast number of books in my time this is on my list of some of the best I have enjoyed reading. show less

I wanted to like this. In fact, i did love it...as far as Chapter 1. The premise is fascinating, and there certainly are plenty of takeaways here.

However, one big takeaway I got was that one needs a solid grasp on theology to get through “The Way of the Warrior.”

I did some research after starting the book, as I hadn’t been familiar with the author and knew of Mosaic Church by name only. McManus and Mosaic belong to the emerging/emergent church movement, and much of the movement’s show more theology/interpretation is reflected here.

As far as I read in the book, there is little to no mention of sin, the fall, Satan (and the fact that he is bent on our destruction), or how we get a relationship with Jesus, let alone why we truly need one (because we’re sinful beings at our core and Jesus is the only way to restoration and reconciliation with God). Instead, McManus presents Jesus as “the ultimate true warrior”. Which is true, especially based on his book’s definition. But he doesn’t get into Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He references plenty of Scripture, which is awesome, but overlooks plenty as well. So, unfortunately, the book falls flat for me, and I’m hesitant to read more.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. show less