Rating: 
Summary: Psychological Seduction--Refried Bly
Review: I am sure John Eldredge wants to help men, and in this very cleverly written book he brings his best prescription for the restoration of the wounded masculine soul. The book is a buzz everywhere by excited men, and has been promoted by will known leaders like Charles Swindoll and James Robison. But it is destined to fall short and leave men disappointed because it has a terribly misguided orientation. A not so careful probe reveals the book to be a refried psychological model of masculinity from a therapeutic worldview. Of course this is not a strange discovery considering that Eldredge was trained in a christianized psychology. But what does it say about our prominent leaders? It says that they have either not read the book or they have themselves been swallowed up by the psychologized gospel.
The psychological seduction of Christianity is the most subtle and widespread leaven in the church today. This leaven, which is changing the very constitution of orthodox Christian doctrine, consists of secular theories and techniques [over 1,500] nested in biblical concepts. However the basic assumptions of psychology, whether nested in Christian thought or not, are for the most part humanistic and non-biblical. The result is a skewed view of the nature of man, sin, and God. Paul warned against such things in Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." The book Wild at Heart is a case in point. This book is a wedding of psychology and Christian ideas. The message within its pages is not a portrayal of a Christian worldview, is not biblically sound, and is dangerous. It is not that there are some interesting points and observations about masculinity, there are. But this should not overshadow the serious contribution this book is making toward promoting a deceptive therapeutic gospel. Readers seem to think Eldredge got his revelations from the Bible because he is a Christian and quotes Bible verses. Yet he tells us plainly that he has gotten them from talking with many, many men, reading literature, and gazing into boyhood dreams (p. 9). Yet this is not the whole truth. The principles of the book are far from original with Eldredge, other than how he has tried to Christianize them. Wild at Heart is not a new biblical teaching coming to the aid of crippled male virility and neither is it the observations of human nature. A not so careful probe reveals Wild at Heart to be a recovered psychological model of masculinity taken primarily from the mythopoetic men's movement of the early 90's-a christianized version. And one of Eldredge's key links to this movement, as demonstrated by his use of content and quotes, is the grandfather of the mythopoetic movement, the pagan poet Robert Bly. It was his book Iron John that rang the masculine bell by topping the best-seller list for much of 1991. Eldredge capitalizes on the elements of Bly's proven winner to do the same. So to understand the guiding thought of Wild at Heart is to first understand the mythopoetic men's movement and Bly. This movement from the 80's and early 90's was called mythopoetic because of its reliance on mythical [legendary] archetypes [universal traits] for self-understanding. As men are connected through mythical stories to the universal qualities that characterize masculinity-the Hero, the Warrior, the King, the Wild Man to name just a few-they touch elements of their masculine nature and find healing. This is exactly where Eldredge is coming from. Using secular movies, lyrics, poetry, and cultural quotes as the content of myth and story telling, he seeks to drawn men into these 'universal masculine traits'. The dominating archetypes of his emphasis, which makes the thesis of his book, are what he calls the desire for adventure, battle, and a beauty to win. "There are three desires I find written so deeply into my heart I know now I can no longer disregard them without losing my soul. They are core to who and what I am and yearn to me. I gaze into boyhood, I search the pages of literature, I listen carefully to many, many men, and I am convinced these desires are universal, a clue into masculinity itself. . . . in the heart of every man is a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and beauty to rescue. I want you to think of the films men love, the things they do with their free time, and especially the aspirations of little boys and see if I am not right on this." (p. 9) In essence, all of the themes of the mythopoetic men's movement and Bly (read the review of Bly's Iron John in end note five) run through the weave of Eldredge's Wild at Heart; the soft male/nice guy (p. xi), lack of male identity (chapter 2), the father wound (p.60), masculine energy (p. 55, 149), rituals of manhood (p.66), personal growth through spiritual discovery of the archetypes, and descending into ones spirit (p.125, 126). Though there is some truth to these naturally occurring traits among men, they are not biblical paths to the integration and wholeness that is being sought, at least not from a Christian perspective. Eldredge cannot sanitize the mythopoetic and Bly with sprinklings of Bible verses, and neither can he convert them into a biblical model of masculinity. It is what it is-the observations of a world looking for what it knows not.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: All I can say is WOW! my life is so much better now. I have the strongest 8 year old kid anywhere! And he proves it by punching anybody who makes the mistake of crossing him. Also, After I come home tattered and tired from a long day of hunter-gathering, my wife IMMEDIATELY takes off my lambskin, err, I mean snakeskin boots and rubs my feet and they feel good. then she feeds me and then she looks at me longinly hanging on to every word, yearining for me to acknowledge her as an important contribution to the family. I am truly a hero in my family! Thanks guy for writing nice book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Read for Women Too!
Review: I am a woman - daughter, sister, mother, wife... and I found this book eye-opening. I think all women should read this. I started reading this book as soon as it came in the mail and couldn't put it down until I was finished. We need to look to God to find our true roles. We haven't and that's why we've been so miserable. John Eldredge speaks very painly and frankly about men and their true spirits. His honesty and candor are much needed these days with all those other psyco-babble-filled, sugary and complacent "basic steps" books that don't look to God as our Creator. This is a must read for women too!
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: Rarely is there a book for men that will dive into the real issues that men do not want to deal with. I thought the author had a great approach. His writing almost forces you into introspection and gives wonderful insight into the deepness on the mind of a man. The real issue with men is dealing with our wounds.
Rating:
Summary: Unfounded Bias
Review: We badly need a biblical model of masculinity that doesn't demean women, that challenges, but doesn't make us feel groslly inadequate, turn us into macho pretenders and is based on solid exegesis and sound theology. Unfortunately, Wild at Heart does not give us this definition. He demeans women by suggesting they are not risk takers, but beauties who wait on men to rescue them. Based on his warrior model of a man, he contrasts William Wallace, Scottish liberator, portrayed in the film Braveheart, with Mother Teresa, as her roaming the strees of Calcuta as a single woman to care for the deseased and dying involved no danger, risk or adventure. He, himself, admits his model makes even him feel inadequate. "I imagine myself to be Indiania Jones, but I'm afraid I am more like Woody Allen," he writes. I fear this book will turn men into pretenders by reviving the old stereotypes of men as active, strong, protective, defenders,
in contrast to women who are passive, weak, frail, soft, people whose major desire is to live safely (as if a woman's choice to conceive and give birth to a child is without risk--especially in developing countries where the rate of woman dying in childbirth is so high). Besides the inadequacy of his model of masculinity, Elderidge's foundation for it is extremely weak in the areas of theology, biblical scholarship, anthropology and zoology. For example, he claims Adam was created outside the garden of Eden to be a wild man. But, why, then did God place Him in a garden? He doesn't give us a good reason. Also, notice how selective he is in his biblical examples. He falls short in his anthropological support, citing mostly contemporary models (from films especially), but nothing about the roles and traits of men and women from other times and other cultures (where, for example, women are leaders and depended on for their strength). In his appeal to the animal kingdom, he notes that the male lion has all the traits of his masculine caracature. He is fierce, unlike the lioness. He claims if you look at the lioness you will see fierceness, but it is sensual (just as a woman's strength is in her beauty to attract a man whose nature is to search for her). Yet, it is humorous to see he misses the fact that it is the lioness who is the primary hunter and killer in king leo's pride. My encylopedia tells me that he is strong enought to muscle his way into the group of lionesses to eat after they provide the kill for him. Who, then, is the fierce on in the lion family? As Christians, we need not turn to Rambo or Rocky for our model of masculinity. We should take Pilate's advice and "Behold, the man." Jesus provides the most perfect authentic model we can find. And, if we were making a movie of his life, we would probably not think of casting the likes of John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone or Cling Eastwood to play His role. Sure, He could be fierce and take risks. But, he also was in touch with his emotions and willing to share what macho men might consider weaknesses. In the Garden of Gethesemene, He confided to His disciples he was deeply depressed. He was not a go it alone type; he asked for their support. And, he even wept publically and showed tenderness to little children. I believe that after a time, the readers of Wild at Heart will realize that the books foundation is very weak and that the authors views of femininity and masculinity are groslly inadequate.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Book! (other than the bible)
Review: I was in a small group based of the readings of this book and it was easily the most influential book I've ever read. I recommend this book to any men/boys who don't feel quiet like their role in this world is complete... Really brings into focus what it means to be a MAN of God...
Rating: 
Summary: A Big Disappointment
Review: Since this book was highly recommended to me, I couldn't wait to get started. But I was quickly disappointed for a variety of reasons. 1. I think this book is geared for men who experienced "issues" with their own fathers during childhood. I don't think the countless examples of mean or insulting fathers (along with nasty comments about many mothers)doesn't resonate with those of us fortunate enough to have decent parents. 2. Eldredge makes a ton of claims about what God wants men to do, but these are rarely backed up with Scripture. I guess we're supposed to take his word for it. For example, he makes the case that God wants us to be dangerous and fierce because early men in the Bible (like Adam and Cain) were. He tells us this was God's intent for man. I'm sorry, but he's reading a version of the Bible that I've never seen. He is simply using creative liberty to make his case. I quickly searched for his credentials on the book jacket, but it doesn't seem like he has any related to theology or Biblical studies. It sounds like he's a counselor. He also dismisses Scripture, like when he says "Yes, I know that Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. But..." I'm sorry, but I'm not yet prepared to put Mr. Eldredge's views on a level higher than Jesus! 3. I don't mean to be rude, but the author clearly seems to have a Napaleonic-complex and an obsession with displaying his machoism. I hate to break the news, but not all "real" men have these self-esteem issues. Not all men want to climb rocks and take adventuristic risks that endanger themselves or their families. He calls this macho, I call it irresponsible (in many cases). 4. Finally, the book uses a lot of ambiguous and flowerly language that may win awards, but is meaningless for those truly trying to decipher the message. In addition, he often tries to be dramatic, but quite frankly, it wasn't working. The New Testament talks a lot about humbleness, gentleness, peacefulness. This seems to be in conflict with this book. While he's right that a lot of men are unhappy in life, he's prescribing the wrong cure. No, a man doesn't have to be a sissy. Not at all. But neither do we need to encourage our kids to solve problems by fighting or allow them to display horrible table manners...all in the name of being a man. Although the comparisons to lions and stallions were meant to inspire the reader, I found them to be comical. I'm most concerned that this is a dangerous book that can lead men in the wrong direction. If you accept what this guy writes without a critical eye, the results could be disasterous.
Rating:
Summary: Books That Will Change Your Life
Review: This past week, I read two life-changing books every man should read. Wild at Heart helped me see myself in a completely new way as a man. It made sense on both a biblical and common sense level. I also read THE GRAVEL DRIVE by Kirk Martin...wow, every father (and mother) needs to read this story. You will never be the same again. For those that want their hearts and lives changed, I highly recommend both books.
Rating:
Summary: Be aware of the pitfalls
Review: I'm a single female and read this book to help me get better insight into guys. It started out very encouraging. He is right to get onto churched men and women who tend to take the masculinity out of our faith. But it turned into just another discouraging, shallow fraternity manual. I felt his comments about encouraging his children to fight on the playground, even though that's against Jesus' teaching was appauling. He uses Christianity to sell the book, then disagrees with Jesus' teaching. Go figure. I had high hopes that the author would show the examples from scripture where Jesus stood up for others, where he showed righteous anger at injustice and greed. Jesus went against popular culture on issues like pride, self-righteousness, poverty and equality of the races. None of that here. Nada. Jesus was the ultimate man, yet he was not selfish. If this is a "Christian" book, it should aim to be Christ-like. Otherwise, take out the Bible(that he doesn't agree with anyway) and just call it "self-help."
Rating:
Summary: Not your father's "self help" book
Review: Actually I hate the phrase "self-help". No man was ever able to help himself to do the things only God can do in and through him, and Eldredge does a great job of explaining why. And he assures the reader this is not just another book to help you "keep promises" or be accountable to other men. I'm not old enough to know first hand what it must have been like for men 50 years ago, before the proliferation of so many self-help, Christian-living books that men seemed to do so much better without (or at least they didn't seem to suffer for lack of them). Eldredge compellingly implores the reader to look at his life as a unique adventure that is supposed to be much more exciting than the lives of "quiet desperation" most men lead. Eldredge is frank and forward in way in which many of what I call the "man books" fail. He clearly spells out many of the ways men "sabotage" their lives by seeking after the momentary pleasures and cardboard rewards that are mere shadows of the joys God has for us. He describes how often we mistake these false loves (and lusts), fears and failings for the things that God really intended to bring us fulfillment. One quote in particular spoke to me, and it was actually his use of a quote from another book: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive. For what the world needs is men who have come alive." Read this! And be inspired to "come alive" by a deeper relationship with the One who made you to be more than you have become!
| 
