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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.
2 comments:
Brennan Manning has such a unique way of cutting through the rigid layers of religion to get to the raw emotion of faith, likely because his own struggles with alcoholism made him so aware of human frailty. It is interesting how he emphasizes that being a believer isn't about a personality overhaul but about being "caught up" in a love that handles the parts of us we usually try to hide. The sections on healing and boldness feel especially grounded because he admits he is a flawed, struggling individual rather than a perfect authority figure. I wonder if his focus on the "furious" nature of that love is his way of pushing back against the passive, polite version of God often taught in more traditional settings. Do you think his expressive writing style helps bridge the gap for people who feel that standard religious language has lost its meaning? I invite you to read my blog at https://www.melodyjacob.com/.
Yes, I'm sure you're right about bridging that gap.
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