The Furious Longing of God

http://dragonshelf.blogspot.com/2011/01/furious-longing-of-god.html

My book club recommended this book. I pulled up the introduction to The Ragamuffin Gospel and was intrigued. Then I started The Furious Longing of God and was surprised by the choppy, disorienting prose. Manning can write with incredible, soaring prose so rich as to be almost indigestible. He chooses to alternate voices -- overexpressive, simple, brief. His sections switch enough to cause slight queasiness. I want to think that Manning is trying to shock and unbalance the reader into a a realization of the depth and breadth of God's love, but I have to fight past his excesses to grasp for the meaning. I'm listening to Patched Together with the hope that hearing Manning show more write the same thing in another context (most of his books seem to say the same thing) will help me appreciate his breadth, style and content. And I'll read The Ragamuffin Gospel when I get a chance. show less

I've stated before how big a fan of Brennan Manning's books I am. No other author has done more to shape my understanding and appreciation of the grace and love of God. His books have been key in the process of me walking away from the legalism that crippled my faith and spiritual development most of my life. So when a new Brennan Manning book hits the bookstores, I'm generally first in line.

Manning's latest, The Furious Longing of God, is a short but powerful book. He doesn't cover a lot of new ground here (in fact, it almost reads like a 'greatest hits' book) but for me that doesn't take away from the fact that this book is incredible. Reading this book was not only a great reminder of life-changing truths, but it was somewhat show more therapeutic, too. Have you ever gone for years and years of only taking showers and then one day decide to soak in a big ol' bubble bath? You're left wondering why did I ever give this up when it feels so great? Same feeling reading this book. I didn't want it to end as quickly as it did. show less

Brennan Manning's books focus on the powerful, furious (in the best sense of the word) love of God for all his children. So I'm always glad to have the opportunity to read another one, and was delighted to find this on special offer, free for the Kindle. It's a short book, which enlarges again on the same theme - that Christianity without love offers nothing. That our role is to be submerged in God's love, and to reach out to others.

I didn't find it as mind-blowingly powerful as I did the first couple of books I read by this author, but it was still a good, encouraging read. Thoughts to ponder at the end of each chapter meant that I spent nearly two weeks reading just a little each day, and even longer the second time as I was show more travelling.

Recommended.

Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-furious-longing-of-god-by-brenn... show less

From what I read on the "web", Manning has taken large doses of criticism throughout his ministry for his intense focus on the love and grace of God. Some accuse him of "universalism" and putting too light a focus on sin.

His writings resonate with my soul, and put me on the precipice of freedom in the grace and love of Jesus. And yet at times, I wonder if I've "sucked in" writing that isn't sound. Or maybe the wrestling just reveals my own internal struggle of truly accepting God's overwhelming grace and love for me.

I prefer to think it's the latter. For also in my searching the web and through his books, Manning is given "life-changing" credit for his impact upon the lives of other esteemed Christians such as: Rich Mullins, Michael show more Card, Larry Crabb. show less

Having read several of Brennan Manning's books, it is hard to find anything new in The Furious Longing of God, however, that does not mean this is not a worthwhile read. Once again, Manning confronts us with a combination of scriptural insight and personal stories that effectively remind us of God's intense and unchanging love for the human race. Manning has been consistently repeating this message for over twenty years now but it is a message that we all need to be reminded of from time to time and no one does it better than he does.

The essential theme of The Furious Longing of God can be summarized in this quote form page 77: 'In human beings, love is a quality, a highly-prized virtue; in God, love is His identity.' Manning explores show more in his somewhat didactic, but entirely enjoyable way, just what it means to know a God who loves us unconditionally.

I highly recommend this book for someone just exploring the Christian faith or for anyone struggling to understand how God could possibly love them despite their sin (especially those who have been believers a long time but feel burdened by "heavy religion" as Manning calls it.) Read it slowly to let the message of God's remarkable love sink in and sweep you away. show less

This is a book about the furious longing of God for His children. Which is a really important thing to write about. And something that everyone needs to hear. Every day. Including me.

But this book is also about how Brennan Manning has screwed up in various ways over the course of his life. And about prayer. And fire. And chutzpah. And small gifts. And other stuff. Sort of. I lost track of what the book was supposed to be about half way through.

This book is a series of chapters. Some of which are pretty good. Some of which are pretty bland. One of which is only a single paragraph. Quoted from another author. None of which are really connected with each other. Or in any kind of order.

Brennan said some things that deeply moved me in this show more book. He said a lot that didn't. And he said some things that were kind of strange. Or just plain wrong.

The back cover says that this book is "provocative and poignant." And that it will "forever change how you view God." That would have been great. If it were true.

I really wanted to love this book. And recommend it. But I really didn't. And I can't. Sorry, Brennan. show less

I have been fortunate enough to see Brennan Manning live a few times and have enjoyed him very much, And while I was excited to pick this book up and read it, I had no idea what to expect from Manning as an author.

The Furious Longing of God

I don’t know what it was – but I just could not get excited about the book. Mr. Manning writes a little bit like a theologian and a little bit like an existential beat poet. His chapters are short and are pretty easy to get through, but each sentence is so richly crafted that if you’re not careful, you can read an entire page and then – STOP – and ask. “What did I just read?” I don’t mind big words when they are in doctrinal papers and systematic research, but when they are trying to show more be artsy and “deep” … my mind will just drift away.



And even after reading it, I don’t recall much what it was about. Don’t get me wrong, at times I remember enjoying the book, even thinking to myself how I could totally use that idea in a sermon or two.. it’s just… I don’t know.. it wasn’t my “type” of book.



I think Manning was trying to write about how much God loves us (his children) but that point for me kept drifting away every time the author started talking about himself.



I don’t know how much I would recommend it, I’d say pick up Raggamuffin first if you have never read him. show less