The Ragamuffin Gospel

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 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 show more 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 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 show more 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

Once I began reading it I put other books aside. Who doesn't love a good writer who weaves the work of others -- Dostoevsky, Dillard, Kung, Flannery O'Connor, Burghardt, et al -- into his personal story presenting a joyful, really good news, approach to faith? There's something winsome about a priest who leaves the priesthood to marry and also writes about his journey as a recovering alcoholic.

Best of all, here is a Christina writer who doesn't eschew the faith journey of other traditions. There is no pretense of hierarchy of belief here.

"Compassionate love is the axis of the Christian moral revolution and the only sign ever given by Jesus by which a disciple could be recognized."

"...gentleness toward ourselves constitutes the core of show more our gentleness with others. ...the way of gentleness brings healing to ourselves and gentleness toward ourselves brings gentleness to others...Solidarity...frees the one who receives compassion and liberates the one who gives it in the conscious awareness "I am the other.""

"Christianity is not primarily a moral code but a grace laden mystery; it is not essentially a philosophy of love but a love affair; it is not keeping rules with clenched fists but receiving a gift with open hands."

Happily, I snagged this copy at a library book sale so felt no qualms wielding my pencil as I read. show less

Apparently this book was first published in 1990 and is now considered a classic, but I had never previously heard of Brennan Manning. I started to read the book because I was given it... and continued because I was so impressed by the writing, and encouraged by the content.

The book is, as the final chapter says, 'unbalanced'. It focuses on God's unconditional love for mankind, and the saving power of Jesus. It tries to help Christians to understand what they mean when they use the oft-quoted phrase about 'saved by grace'. It points out that we're all 'ragamuffins' - he deliberately doesn't use the word 'sinners', perhaps because that flows all too easily off the tongue. Instead, the picture of a ragamuffin is used throughout.

All in show more all, I thought this an excellent book. Well-written with an interesting style, including relevant anecdotes now and again, and often inspiring. There weren't any brand new insights, to be sure, but for those struggling with the concept of works vs grace, or caught up in legalistic forms of Christianity, I recommend it most highly.

Re-read 2012 and 2022; I found it inspiring and encouraging all over again.
Definitely recommended.

Latest review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-ragamuffin-gospel-by-brennan-ma... show less

I was deeply challenged and blessed by Manning's words. We too easily replace the love and compassion of God with religious ideas and practices that lack the power to transform our lives. Manning challenges these ideas and offers a path for all of us to follow to the heart of God.

I had read this book back in the early 1990's when it first was published. I sped read it though back then, but this book is to be slowly chewed and digested so it can get into a person's spirit. It has the ability to change twisted thinking about God and addresses why He did what He did to save mankind. I was in a legalistic church for many years that preached and taught "holy" living. I always believed I never could measure up to God to be able to please Him with who I am or what I do or don't do, because I was always "screwing up". Always having a sense God was watching and waiting for me to mess up and not live the Christian life like I should. This book written by a man who was tormented by these feelings for years, knows what he show more is talking about. It is refreshing, a book to definitely keep in one's library to reference just in case these thoughts and feelings try to worm their way back in. I would definitely recommend this book for those who struggle to embrace God's love, mercy and grace for them. show less

I loved this book, it made me seriously look at how I think God views me. I long to be honest but am not, this book helped me look at honesty in a different light. It's ok to be real, to be honest. I love the story of Max in AA, I wished someone had done that to me years ago Thanks Brennan :)