The furious longing of God (by Brennan Manning)

(Amazon UK link)

I do like the books by Brennan Manning. He was a Roman Catholic priest and a reformed alcoholic who wrote some thought-provoking books about what it really means to be loved by God. I have been rereading some of his books, and remembered that I have ‘The furious longing of God’ on my Kindle. I wanted a Christian book to read while travelling, and I last read this in 2013. 

It’s not a long book, and it’s divided into quite a few sections with titles such as ‘healing’ or ‘boldness’, each one looking at a slightly different aspect of God’s love, and with a page of points to ponder at the end of each section. But since I was with family, and very busy, I didn’t read this every day; or sometimes only a couple of pages.

The author expounds on his favourite theme, which I first came across in ‘The ragamuffin gospel’ many years ago. But in this book it’s as if he takes a step deeper - he points out, more than once, that being a Christian believer is not just about becoming a nicer person, or avoiding certain behaviours. It’s about becoming a new creation, caught up in the passionate love of our father who created us. 

Brennan Manning had a gift for expressive writing, and in this book some of it is perhaps a tad overdone - and yet, in a sense, it conveys a sense of what he’s trying to say: something that language really can’t cope with. Each section takes a different angle, sometimes recounting anecdotes or experiences from his life and travels, but always coming back to our destiny as children of God, secure in his arms, no matter what circumstances might surround us. 

I found it encouraging to have the reminder that God loves us as we are, where we are, and doesn’t want us to change personality or necessarily do anything different - what matters is to be aware of him, to be caught up in his love, and to allow him to mould us as he wishes. 

There is mention of what it means in practical terms to know we are loved, and that this knowledge will overshadow all our doubts and insecurities. The author mentions that many young people are looking for a way to express love to those around us, and encourages them to know, first, how much they are loved. Only then can it genuinely spill out to others.

The author looks at healing, in general terms; at how we pray; at judgement, and at much more in relation to his main thesis. He quotes the Bible extensively and he also quotes other writers whose work he has found helpful in his own growth. And he doesn’t pretend that he is better or wiser than anyone else - he comes across as a flawed, struggling individual who still makes mistakes.

Definitely worth reading; perhaps it doesn’t say much that’s different from the author’s other books, but they all have reminders and encouragement that many of us need to hear.

Recommended.

Review copyright 2026 Sue's Book Reviews