The Importance of Being Foolish: How to Think Like Jesus (2005)

by Brennan Manning

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In the eyes of the world, Jesus was a fool. He did not abide by the rules of his day; the people he associated with were shunned by society; his Sermon on the Mount reads likea primer on being left behind, stepped on, and ignored. In order for us to truly be the people Jesus wants us to be, we too must learn to become "foolish." Becoming a Christian is not a magical enterprise by which we are automatically transformed into better people. We must train to become who God intends us to be. In The Importance of Being Foolish, bestselling Christian author Brennan Manning teaches us how to think like Jesus. By reorienting our lives according to the gospel we may appear to be fools in the eyes of the world, but Manning reveals that this is exactly what Jesus wants. In a powerful exploration of the mind of Christ, Manning reveals how our obsession with security, pleasure, and power prevents us from living rich and meaningful lives. Our endless struggle to acquire money, good feelings, and prestige yields a rich harvest of worry, frustration, and resentment. Manning explores what Christ's mind was truly focused on: finding the Father, compassion for others, a heart of forgiveness, and the work of the kingdom. Coming from the gentle yet compelling voice of Brennan Manning, The Importance of Being Foolish is a refreshing reminder of the radical call of Jesus and the transforming love of God.… (more)

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"Manning invites the reader to move from self-delusion to embracing the truth about who we are and our need for grace. He jolts readers out of their comfort zones. We are preoccupied with security, pleasure, and power. Manning debunks the idea that Jesus calls us to be nice and calls us to vibrant faith in action and directs us to contagious joy, self-love, awe, gratitude, and transparency"

Christianity Today

Fellowshipwc | May 30, 2018 |

Thought-provoking and challenging, if a little heavy-going in places. This book explains what the Christian life is (or should be) about - relationship, not legislation - and hints at what it means to be 'fools' for Christ. Not fools as in buffoons, but in the eyes of much of the world.

Early chapters deconstruct much of the way we tend to behave, with encouragements to embrace truth and transparency, while moving away from the diversions of security, pleasure and power. Later chapters attempt to unravel ways in which Jesus thought, as demonstrated in the gospels.

Some anecdotes and examples, with plenty of Scriptural backing. Not everyone reading this will agree with all the author says, but it should provoke a lot of thought.

Recommended to anyone wanting to take their faith more seriously. (

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SueinCyprus | Jan 26, 2016 |

Manning's book "The Ragamuffin Gospel" hit me like a bolt of fire and tears. One of the most important books I've read leading me to a better understanding of grace and deepened my relationship with my heavenly father. I told myself that I should not have expectations that this book would be similarly powerful. Yet in the back of my mind I think I still hoped it would be. I was initially disappointed. Probably because of my high expectations. But part of it was because the as the author admitted he was writing some of this because had been challenged to do so. The beginning felt like he was dutifully relating truths with less than his normal passion. He even reused an anecdote I had read before. I set the book aside for a few weeks before picking it up again.

The middle and end parts of the book showed Manning writing again with passion about the things he deeply cares about. He wants people to truly understanding how deeply and powerfully God loves them as individuals. And how if we are really are serious about being Christlike and making the world a better place how we can be God's messengers to people that are struggling all around us. A solid thoughtful book worth reading after you read the Ragamuffin Gospel.

Cheers! (

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Chris_El | Mar 19, 2015 |

Everyone who seeks to understand the life of Jesus Christ and the human relationship to Christ's purpose should read this book. (

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lbigcrum | Mar 31, 2007 |

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2005

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In the eyes of the world, Jesus was a fool. He did not abide by the rules of his day; the people he associated with were shunned by society; his Sermon on the Mount reads likea primer on being left behind, stepped on, and ignored. In order for us to truly be the people Jesus wants us to be, we too must learn to become "foolish." Becoming a Christian is not a magical enterprise by which we are automatically transformed into better people. We must train to become who God intends us to be. In The Importance of Being Foolish, bestselling Christian author Brennan Manning teaches us how to think like Jesus. By reorienting our lives according to the gospel we may appear to be fools in the eyes of the world, but Manning reveals that this is exactly what Jesus wants. In a powerful exploration of the mind of Christ, Manning reveals how our obsession with security, pleasure, and power prevents us from living rich and meaningful lives. Our endless struggle to acquire money, good feelings, and prestige yields a rich harvest of worry, frustration, and resentment. Manning explores what Christ's mind was truly focused on: finding the Father, compassion for others, a heart of forgiveness, and the work of the kingdom. Coming from the gentle yet compelling voice of Brennan Manning, The Importance of Being Foolish is a refreshing reminder of the radical call of Jesus and the transforming love of God.

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