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Title: The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning ISBN: 1-57673-716-0 Publisher: Multnomah Publishers Inc. Pub. Date: 02 June, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.63 (76 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: From a Ragamuffin to a Ragamuffin
Comment: My appreciation for the message in this book is overwhelming and resurges if I simply glance at its cover. The writing is intelligent, creative and engaging: Brennan paints a masterful picture of a loving God who reaches out for even (and especially) the worst of us.
To explain why this book spoke so beautifully to my heart, as the saying goes, "the taller you stand the farther you fall". I was for most of my young adult life a devoted and sincere Christian; I loved God and enjoyed His constant presence, was active in college Christian fellowship groups and mission trips and had intended on a life of mission work overseas. But during the year after I graduated from college, unforeseen circumstances - and weaknesses I didn't even know I had - cancelled my plans to "work for God".
Within the next year alone, my disappointment, feelings of being suddenly lost in world in which I'd previously thought to know my place and purpose, and a sudden sense of complete worthlessness left me reeling. I went from being what one might call a cookie-cutter Christian, admired as "shining with the light of Jesus", to struggling through severe depression, abusive drinking, eating disorders and unhealthy relationships. I contemplated suicide and often lied in bed crying with grief over what I thought must be God's deep, deep disappointment in me.
When I was introduced to The Ragamuffin Gospel by a dear friend "who knew me back when", I felt an inexplicable sense of relief after reading just a few pages. I felt I was engaging in a conversation with that rare type of person -- someone who understood how I felt, and better yet, had a sincere answer and hope to share.
In this book, Brennan tells many stories of people he has encountered along with other anecdotes that provide honest emotional moments to which each ragamuffin can relate. The author writes with a sincerity, which the reader comes to understand through his story, that stems from his also having to face inadequacies and disappointments with courage fueled by God's mercy.
This book will not be useful to anyone unaligned with the Christian faith, as its message is very Christ-centered. And for those whose faith is Christ-centered, Brennan points out in his foreword that this book is not for the Christians "who live only on the mountaintop and have never visited the valley of desolation." His proceeding illustrations of Ragamuffins includes this to which I most identify, "It is for the bent and the bruised who feel that their lives are a grave disappointment to God."
My copy of this book, like my spirit, has faded, been tattered and used. I will read it again and again -- it is truly enriching food for the soul.
Rating: 5
Summary: The Gospel of Grace Embraced
Comment: The Ragamuffin Gospel is a book for the faint of faith - to help them realize that their very weakness makes them strong in what matters most: God's grace. In this profoundly spiritual journey, Brennan Manning takes us to the heart of the Gospel, and helps us to rediscover its powerfully timeless message of Grace. The heart and soul of this book can be found in its final page: "... Christianity is not primarily a moral code by a grace-laden mystery; it is not essentially a philosophy of love, but a love affair."
In a truly spiritual book, tables of content are meaningless; this is a spiritual book. The most valuable sections are perhaps the sections entitled "A Word Before" and "A Word After." It is in these sections that you leave the mind of the author, and touch his heart - his soul. This is the beauty of this book - it is not a book to be read, analyzed, and understood; it is meant to be experienced, felt and lived. This is a book about turning our eyes off ourselves, and the challenges of the moment, and turning ourselves towards God, and God's solution for all times.
A profoundly moving, spiritual stroll through the back-ally of Christianity, this book calms the soul and strengthens the traveler by lightening their load. God works, so I don't have to! So simple; yet so powerfully transforming. This is a deeply theological book crafted by a true pastor. Its theology is so pure that it is not noticeable; it is the theology of grace. If it fails to touch you, read the book again, this time concentrating on your own feelings, not your thoughts.
This book will challenge you if you embrace the author's premise. If you want to do the work for your salvation, this book will fail you. If you want to experience true Christianity, then embrace the message of this book and trust in God's grace. Let it fill your heart and soul and set your spirit free.
Rating: 5
Summary: I've been on both sides of the fence, GRACE is the only way
Comment: I grew up in an abusive, legalistic church, who stressed a life of utmost holiness as most pleasing to God, therefore my ultimate goal in my walk with Christ is to overcome sin. Unfortunately the more I try, the more I see my failures and my peace and joy in God fluctuates with my personal performance.
The Ragamuffin Gospel seeks to destroy the worldview of God that Christendom has created: You are saved by immense and passionate grace and mercy, but once you accept it, God has a checklist of sanctification and service that you must repay. Why would a God of unsearchable riches suddenly do a 180 and expect us to deliver a checklist of personal effort? Our "spiritual leaders" reinforce these lists often comprised of: Do your daily devotions, or God won't speak to you / Pray longer and harder or God won't know your heart / Do more service for church, you're not doing enough for God, you're spending too much time on yourself / If you don't have it all together, God can't use you, etc. etc.
Brennan Manning vehemently believes that God absolutely hates sin (as the other reviewers here focus on as their primary view of God), BUT, God's grace and mercy abounds all the more. IT IS THIS UNFATHOMABLE AWE OF EXPERIENCING AND KNOWING JESUS' LOVE THAT INSPIRES AND STRENGTHENS US TO FLEE FROM SIN, NOT OUR OWN RESOLVE.
A MUST read for anyone who has been raised in the modern institutional church.
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Title: Ruthless Trust : The Ragamuffin's Path to God by Brennan Manning ISBN: 0062517767 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 02 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning ISBN: 1576833348 Publisher: Navpress Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Reflections for Ragamuffins: Daily Devotions from the Writings of Brennan Manning by Brennan Manning ISBN: 0060654570 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Lion and Lamb/the Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning ISBN: 0800790839 Publisher: Fleming H Revell Co Pub. Date: September, 1986 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: The Wisdom of Tenderness : What Happens When God's Fierce Mercy Transforms Our Lives by Brennan Manning ISBN: 0060000708 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 02 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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