Rating: 
Summary: The Way is Narrow
Review: I've never been so moved by a book that I actually passed out copies to my friends... That is, until I read Wild at Heart back in the summer of 2001 (That same summer I bought nearly 20 copies and handed them out.)I can't understand how some people have actually accused John Eldredge of making the Gospel better than it truly is... as if that's possible!!! The Gospel IS good news, and if the Gospel you're following isn't freeing you and making you want to burst at the seams just to get a chance to share it with others, then it's NOT the Gospel of Christ Jesus you're holding. Period. However, it's not a surprise to me that Eldredge is taking some abuse. Jesus promised that the way to Life is narrow and only a few would find it. The great thing about the way Eldredge writes is his ability to compile the greatest Christian writings into one source. When you read an Eldredge book, you're not just getting his particular point of view. You get the Bible (in several translations), CS Lewis, Gerald May, St. Augustine, Thomas a' Kempis, GK Chesterton, Oswald Chambers, etc... His writings are very similiar to those "IDIOT'S GUIDES" that you see on nearly every subject possible (camping, web design, etc...). Those guides are simply created from compiling the most reliable sources into one, easy to read book. That's John Eldredge for you. Think of any of his books as "THE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE GOSPEL." Eldredge's writings are balanced and full of Truth (with a capital "T"), because he is simply compiling the best of the best writings from those who have really walked with Jesus. This is not NEW stuff. (And I'm sure John Eldredge would be the first to admit that.) This is the Gospel as it's always been. If it sounds brand new, it just means you've probably been drinking from a muddy river instead of the Rivers of Living Water. (ie: Though I was raised in the church, I never truly heard The Gospel until I was 17 years old. If anyone knows what it is to THINK you know Jesus and Freedom only to find out all you truly know is religion and shame, it's me.) If you haven't read anything by John Eldredge, go for it. Wild at Heart may be a good place to start (for men or women - seriously). Dare to Desire is great if you just want to find out where Eldredge is coming from in one hour or less. There isn't anything this man has written that is not Life-giving and filled with the thirst-quenching Truth as Jesus meant it. Drink up! =) (www.ransomedheart.com is Eldredge's website. He has valuable teaching tapes / cds.)
Rating:
Summary: WWFW - World Wide Federation of WIMPS!
Review: In response to the man below: You have completely missed the point of John Eldridge altogether. A lot of men in our society have become a bunch of compliant wimps! One reason (among many) is because woman, with the backing of "laws" and "rights", have taken over (they have become the husband they always wanted to marry). Men are looked down at for being masculine ("It's not very NICE!"). Further, the church often depicts Christ as skinny, long-haired wimp, too. He was a carpenter for crying out loud who could withstand total rejection, false accusations, brutal beatings and being hung on the cross for three hours (most men "boo hoo" about having colds...). This wimpy depiction of Christ is then transferred to the congregation as "the right way to be". Bull! God is in us and we are in God. Since we have been made in His image we are not limited to just "love" and "softness" (which is important, too). God made the lightening, lions, earthquakes, thunder...and, yes, MEN, too. There is nothing "sinful" about being "wild" and adventurous; God is and we represent Him! JE is just giving men permission to be that masculine image of God and asking woman to support that. I am not implying AT ALL that men should be domineering, angry, abusive, and over-powering or the like. God is a tender warrior, and man should be the same. But if you're idea of being "masculine" is to withdrawal in front of the T.V. while drinking beer and belting out orders...then you're missing it, too. Both men and women should read this book. It is very much needed in our panty-waste society!
Rating: 
Summary: Good idea but off the real target
Review: I picked up this book at the library after hearing about it and to be honest, I wasn't sure what to think--I liked some things and didn't like others. I definitely agree that Christian men really need to step up and be Godly men but somehow I don't think I'll cross a guy off my list just because he's 'nice.' And, of course I want my guy to fight for me--WHEN NEED BE, but in all honesty I'm reading this thinking "Ok, so what will I need to be rescued from again?" I've had a great life, my heart's still together and don't plan on doing anything stupid so what's to rescue me from? It just didn't make sense to me.
The major problem I had was what he said about women and I am by absoluetly NO means a feminist!!! He kept saying over, and over that what men want is to rescue a beauty-- well, hopefully that means more than simple external beauty! I do not want a man to desire me because of the way I look, that's shallow, shabby and makes them less of a man. A true man, a man after God's own heart, knows that character and integrity are what count.
Another problem I had was him telling his son to hit a bully if the bully hit the son first. My mother is a teacher and I am planning to become a teacher after I graduate. I have spent the past 4 years seeing the effects of bullying in schools and personally, I think that lashing out in anger/self-defense can make the problem worse and is definitely not a good witness. I am not saying that there is no need for self-defense, but I don't think that children are mature enough to know when it is appropriate and how far to take it. There are other, more Christ-like and 'manly' ways to deal with situations than a simple, physical retaliation. I can do that--does that make me a strong person? Not necessarily- strength is not only physical.
In this book, John makes it seem as though the only thing men care about is the great outdoors and the only thing women care about is getting a man to rescue them (from...??). Well, we serve a creative God who created us with different talents and interests. I think Mr. Eldredge needs to be careful about the assumptions he makes about what real men are and what real women want.
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Summary: What every man should read and think about
Review: Yes this book has been met with some controversy. And it's because John Eldrigde writes on a controversial subject: namely, the place of men in today's often watered-down, bless-me, "let's play church" christianity. I heartily recommend the book. If you look at God and come to see that part of who is is a warrior, and that He has birthed that warrior spirit to one degree or another in men, then, through His Word, spending time in His presence, and making adjustments in one's life where necessary, one can take a hold of that which God desires for the men He created. God has given us men a mantle of authority to walk in. And it's not birthed out of our own strength or giftings. It's when we realise that in and of ourselves we are cursed and self-seeking, but through God, and in admission of our weakness before Him, we can walk out into creation and live the lives of fullness (John 10:10) that Jesus came to bring us. Get the book. Wrestle with it...YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH JOHN...BUT AT LEAST HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY..IT'LL GET YOU THINKING.
Rating:
Summary: Examine your own Heart
Review: As a husband and father, this book and the ideas presented really made me think about what I was doing in my life to make certain that I did not let the world dictate my circumstances, but rather used all my God-given abilities as a Man to be the Godly husband and father that the Bible presents. If you are a husband or father or both, and are not sure whether you are doing your best and not just doing your "duty", you must read this book. Meditate on it. Get it down in your soul, where God can use it and you together.
Rating: 
Summary: Manual For Raising Boys
Review: I thought this was a very thought provoking book. I did not agree with everything he wrote from a theological viewpoint, but found that it was still very interesting reading and helpful. If you are trying to raise boys, this book is for you. It might help you better understand where they are coming from. My wife always has a fit when she sees boys hitting each other. I think Eldredge gives great insight into this interesting phenomenon. All fathers should read the book to help themselves avoid wounding their own sons through words or deeds. They may also find themselves dealing with wounds that have been given to them in the past.
Rating:
Summary: Ignore Ryan George for your own Benefit
Review: This book is sensational and extremely helpful. Most reviewers here have given it five stars. Of the three negative reviews that I read through (including Ryan George) the reviewers show an almost intentional desire to misunderstand what Eldredge has written. God is right at the heart of this book, in my opinion, and I've been a Bible believing Christian for over 16 years. Further to this, in my opinion, reviews such as that of Ryan George are indicative of the ideologically closed and intellectually sterile atmosphere penetrating the Christian church in the west, particularly in the US. It is creating a hierarchy of an extremist political elite governing a swathe of God's Geldings in the pews. Read this book if you know what's good for you, and know that God is right there beside you encouraging you on.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, would first recommend "Waking the Dead"
Review: Wild at Heart is solid book. While John doesn't get super deep theologically and there are a few points that could be presented a bit better it is definitely true to what he set out to write: a book that spoke to the core (not all inclusive or exclusive) of what a Christian man's heart truly is supposed to look like. I do think that John takes his writing to a whole other level in "Waking The Dead" and would recommend reading it first and then "Wild at Heart."
Rating:
Summary: Most influential book I've read
Review: Thanks Byron Horton for your review that sums up how I feel too. The theologians have picked apart the book and the legalists like Ryan George in the first review have torn Eldredge's message to pieces. I've been saved for eight years now and I needed a refreshing look into my faith.
For years I thought my faith's ultimate goal was being a 'nice guy'. Is that going to win anyone to the Lord? Eldredge showed me thru example that the "kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force". Is this bad? No it's biblical and too many christian men are suffering from the 'nice guy' syndrome. What the world needs is men who take after the warrior heart of the Father. Western christians are too concerned about staying in between the morally correct and respected religous lines of guidance than what God is pulling on our own hearts to do. God forbid that we don't do exactly as the pastor or preacher says. I've been down the fundamentalist paths, the conservative paths, and have always wondered who and which paths are the correct ones? Elderedge has given me the courage to follow the Lord as best as I see Him leading me. I now have the courage to stand strong in the Lord if it takes me outside of someone elses perscribed and recommended path for me.
Rating:
Summary: Ryan George needs to pay attention while he reads.
Review: (...) Good old taking it out of context. Referencing pages instead of chapters or the whole book.
I have read this book, and it's the best book I've ever read. I have read all of John Elderedges books, and it would be good for anyone to do the same. That would really put everything in context.
This book empowered me to be who I always wanted to be, what I always knew myself to be. It didn't tell me much that is new but put words to what I've always known instead. I lived life at one point following all the rules. That did not fulfill me. I crushed my hearts desires. (...) John Elderedge explains in the totality of his books, specifically The Sacred Romance and furthermore in The Journey of Desire, that the answer is to take our desires to God. Taking the understanding of a quote from one of his books that "Prayer is to begin in the mind, and descend into the heart where we stand face to face before God", we should take our desires to Him. This is where freedom in Christ is found. Stand naked before God and allow Him to clothe us with skins.
This book is freedom. Read it.
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