The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Ragamuffin Gospel
Book Review: Re-Luthering
Summary: 4 Stars
In the epilogue to Ragamuffin Gospel, "The Scandal of Grace," Manning informs the reader that one of his Roman Catholic critics told him that he "had out Luthered Luther." I don't know that you can "out-Luther" Luther --- but Manning is at least close here.
If you let it, this book will take you through a path that not many people go on. You'll go to Spiritual AA.
Manning, a recovering alcoholic himself, describes the faith life of a Christian as really only a recovering sinner ever could. He is upfront about his disease. He knows that he isn't God. He knows that He doesn't even deserve to sneeze in God's direction. He shows the most comfortable Christian that they are still a sinner even though they have a nice family and go to church every Sunday. He goes even farther. He makes sure that you know that if you're not actively involved in being empty, in being a ragamuffin, that you're not living the Christian life as it was intended to be lived.
In short, he tells you what a Ragamuffin is - it's a sinner-saint. It is someone who has no right, no claim, and no worth who is passionately and wildly embraced by a savior.
The book is a great choice for a devotional read. It will bring not only a new perspective on your current place before God, but it will show you that your ultimate place is with God, singing in the joy of His free grace.
It is a message of grace for anyone brave enough to consider themselves one of God's ragamuffins.
Book Review: Read this review
Summary: 5 Stars
Dear readers,I was browing the web looking for a page of brenning manning and his works, so I came to amazon hoping to find a link. I started reading the reviews and most agreed with me that this is a great book. But I am going to say it is only a book. Manning is not presenting any deep theological message. He is not explaining away the worlds problems. He doesn't suggest that he knows all there is to know about God. What he does is present the gospel to those who need to hear it. He is real because he has been there.
I myself do not claim to know much. I would not be able to argue with you about the ins and outs of modern christianity. I do not know debates or answers to a lot of questions. But what I do know is the love of God.
Mannings book, if you read it just for the knowledge in the book, you will probably miss it. You must be in the shoes of Manning. You have to had been at the bottom, not just a one who doesn't know Christ, but one who has. We are ragamuffins. I know that is made clear in the bible. But grace is so amazing because while we were still these ragamuffins Christ died for us. You could argue all day about who Christ died for and how I don't know anything, but all I need to know is the love of God.
Why do I write this review? Honestly I do not remember everything that was said in Mannings book. But God was convincing me of his love for me at the same time I picked up this book. It was a source of encouragement to know that i was not the only one who felt this way. I ask you just to be real with yourself and God and allow him to convince you of his love. Not from a book or a sermon or anything else. I promise if you seek for that you will find it. Thank you.
Book Review: Redeemed by God's Grace Alone
Summary: 5 Stars
The Ragamuffin Gospel is the first Christian book to hit right where my heart needed it... For the majority of my life, I considered myself right in God's Grace without overwhelming shortcomings. Never truly facing unbearable challenges, I could not relate to those who had found God in the depths of despair. Well, that quickly changed when I graduated from college and entered the professional world. I faced challenges in both my job and personal life that threw me into a tailspin, and I felt distanced from God. I felt guilty, overburdened by my own "failings," and consumed by darkness. Wherever I found legalism, it was no longer a camp to join (because I was so "righteous") but what reeked of ignorance about God's Grace. Then a friend recommended this book. I read it with intent and realized, for the first time in three years, that the God I accepted as a child is the God who loves me no matter how far I fall. No, this is not an excuse to keep sinning. Yes, this is an invitation back to the Lord, who loves so unconditionally that we, finite humans, cannot fully grasp it until we reach Glory. As Brennan Manning's book helped lift me from the "ashes," I realize there are others who "beat themselves up" and feel that God is so displeased that His love cannot reach them. Not so with our Glorious Lord. He loves you with NO END! That, my friends, makes me want to fall down at His knees. His love does not waiver with my rights and wrongs; He invites me to His love and grace without reservation. >>Lord, I come back to you, running and with open arms.<< Thank you, Brennan Manning. There is NOTHING I can do to "earn" God's favor. He is smiling because I sense His love, once again. He was always there, even when I didn't feel like He was there. P.S. For all those who over-emphasize a person's "fruit" without the Glorious context of God's Grace, please do consider "walking two moons" in that person's mocassins. Only God knows our hearts, through and through. I'm blessed because He does. There's nothing He doesn't know, yet He loves me unconditionally, forever and ever.
Book Review: Reminds you what got you this far in the first place...
Summary: 5 Stars
Brennan Manning, in an honest (yes, sometimes it even seems rough and abrasive) and authentic look at grace, writes one of the best interpretations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I've read. He speaks of grace as a gift, yet doesn't shy away from what it costs. He speaks of following Christ wholeheartedly, yet not falling into a rut of legalism and religious rhetoric. He keeps us mindful of some of the tension in the Christian life (Jesus is the lion and the lamb, Christians must lose their lives to find life, the Cross was life, etc.), and reminds us that grace is not some wishy-washy concept that can be nailed down. Grace is complex. It is God's passionate pursuit of us until we literally "find" him. Not a good book (I don't think) for someone wanting to understand the basics of Christianity. Rather, Manning provides a fresh perspective for those who are weary in their faith journey, who need to see their faith, again, through the eyes of another.
Book Review: Skeptical
Summary: 2 Stars
Portions of Mr. Manning's style of writing has an appeal to the heartstrings. I believe his presentation of turning from sin is weak as he appears to excuse the sin in several chapters and does not require or expect people to turn from it.
He quotes from Paul Tillich's book, "The Shaking of the Foundations". The quotes go "you are accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now, perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now, perhaps later you will do much......Simply accept the fact that you are accepted."
We are accepted only in Christ, if you are not in Christ, you are not accepted! This quote appears to be New Age rhetoric.
His meditation style is similar to the New Age style of empty-your-mind mantra. He wants you to chant "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing", for 10 minutes. And at the same time you are to visualize what Jesus have looked like. He says "Don't try to feel anything, think anything, or do anything," and "Simply relax in the presence of the God you half believe in and ask for a touch of folly." This is vain petition (which Jesus warned about).
God tells us not to empty our minds but to think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praise worthy things.
In the "Paste Jewelry and Sawdust Hotdogs" chapter he profanely uses vulgar words for God speaking. He writes, "God whispers you ungrateful turd. Even the desire to say grace is itself My gift."
While a few parts of the book are edifying, many other parts are questionable.