Rating: 
Summary: An life changing experience
Review: The Christians I have known think that psychology is about "dark spirits" and exists in the shadows of good v. evil. Not so, according to Eldredge. Using beautiful anecdotes and personal experiences, he walks us through the struggle of being a "really nice guy" in the modern church to being the "dangerous" men that God intended us to be. The book caused me to view my past wounds and allow God to begin a healing process there. The secound half moved me into an excitement about what God has planned for my life. This was truly a life changing book for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed review
Review: NOTE: This review is based on reading the book and attending the 4-day conference of the same name, and graduate education including Bible (honors). Since Eldredge earned a Master's degree in counseling, some of his counseling advice is well-advised and worth considering. His theology, however, is much less well trained, poorly or not supported with proof texts, and sometimes dangerous. The problem is that sometimes counseling and theology are so interwoven and interdependent that it is difficult to untangle the two. That said, he does say some things that are not being said in the modern church, and need to be said.
All of this poses a serious problem for the new Christian, or the long-time Christian who has not benefited from formal training in Biblical interpretation. This comment will offend some who think that 'reader-response" is a valid interpretative method. They should read at their own risk. As for me, I can only recommend this book to those trained in a good, conservative school in exegesis and hermeneutics. At the least, if someone does not know what a Berean is and five Biblical interpretative methods, they should not read this book. I agree with the specific issues raised by several previous reviewers. The problem, of course, id that those with this training will not need this advice, and those who need it may not heed it. If you are a pastor, and your congregation rave's this book, you need to educate them.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly Written Self-Help Psychology
Review: I thought about giving this book two stars because, to be honest, the book starts off well. Eldredge suggests that the primary problem with Christian men is a lack of passion and desire. He suggests we are too "nice." This drive to be a "nice guy" keeps us from being who we really are, adventurers. I think Eldredge states the problem very well and although this was a good start, Eldredge then goes way off the deep end. It all starts when he gives an account of his son being picked on by a bully. Eldredge's advice to his young son? Punch the bully in the face. What?! He then quickly mentions Jesus' command to "turn the other cheek" but claims that the church has misunderstood this verse. OK, I thought, maybe he's going somewhere with this. I thought wrong. Eldredge never again mentions this verse. I guess he just assumes that we all will reinterpret the verse his way after reading his book. I didn't. The problems continue as Eldredge further drives home his point. He claims that deep within a man there is a good heart waiting to be let out. Men are, somewhere deep down, adventurous and this desire is inherently good. OK, but Eldredge states his point by boldly proclaiming that men have a "good heart." This borders on a complete rejection of the Christian doctrine of original sin. Eldredge really lost me when suggested that "we are never told to crucify our hearts." True enough, but we are told that the "heart is wicked above all things." Later in the book, Eldredge lays out what he believes are the three primary enemies against a man's heart, namely the sinful nature, the world and its influences and the Evil One (Satan). However, Eldredge never again mentions the sinful nature or the world as man's enemies. Instead, he spends the next chapter developing his battle plan against the Evil One. In this chapter, Eldredge blames Satan for everything from dizzy spells to traffic jams to supermarket tabloids. Interestingly enough, although Eldredge indicated that the sinful nature is indeed one of man's enemies, in this chapter on the Evil One he repeatedly infers that most of man's inner lusts and sinful thoughts are actually placed into our minds by Satan. I'm not sure then where our sinful nature would actually fit into the picture for Eldredge, and unfortunately, as I mentioned, he never develops this. In the end, this is just a bad book. Eldredge never develops any of his arguments. Also, there is just too much bad theology in this book to warrant more than one star. I understand that Eldredge is a counselor and not a theologian, but that doesn't exempt him from presenting sound Christian theology in his arguments. If men are hoping to get a better grasp on what it means to be a man and a Christian, I highly recommend Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley instead of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Reasons of the Heart
Review: the responses to Wild At Heart as reflected in both the positive and negative the reviews at this site are, quite simply, to be expected. some of the objections raise good thoughts (for example the writerfrom the UK who was concerned about the Christian virtue of love and self-denial as a tenant of the faith). after spending a great deal of time reading all of Eldredge's books,listening to some of his tapes and attending one of his seminars, i believe a careful examination of the material produces an answer to those objections which is Biblical. Eldredge is interested in recovering Love and preventing us from making love out to be less than it truly is. At times, Love must be fierce (like God wrestling with Jacob through the night). The Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is still intact in Eldredge's thinking. Other detractors, who claim Eldredge is somehow falling prey to a PC understanding of Adam, as well as those who argue that he is promoting freedom as its own end, have misunderstood Eldredge. Galatians 5 tells us it is for Freedom that Christ set us free, and yet we do not use that freedom to indulge ourselves, rather we serve God. A careful reading of Eldredge's work affirms that principle and does not promote licentiousness. he actually cautions the reader to not make the mistake of equating freedom with license. he also describes his journey toward realizing that he cannot simply run off and go fishing or hunting in search of adventure and leave his family in the dust. What Eldregde invites men AND woman to do is to recover the heart which God designed in His image. This is the thread which runs through all of his writing and his live presentations. The church desperately needs to reover its heart.About self-denial and service, i say this: those attributes are the by-product of a heart which is alive to Christ and is living out its intended purpose which God created. Self-denial and service can actually be performed with the most selfish of motives, and abused. The heart attitude which governs self-denial is one which says: "i will gladly pass on the ephemeral trappings around me because my life comes from God." A true understanding of what Eldredge is saying when he talks of recovering our hearts will result in people who serve and take up their crosses daily and follow Christ. As for the thought that Adam became dangerous after the fall, thus making 'danger' a product of sin, please consider that 'danger' or 'wildness' is reflected in the life of Christ when he cleared the temple with a whip. Adam was designed by God to have an impact on the world _ he was to subdue the earth, he named the animals. G.K. Chesterton said that every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is actually looking for God. in saying that, Chesterton was affirming that desire is ultimately derived from God's design, but we pervert it and our misuse of it has obscured our ability to see God as the one who truly satisfies. Eldredge is in line with this thinking. all of us live out of desire whether we realize it or not. What Eldredge wants to do is return us to a place of embracing desire to see what God is saying to us through it. The only way to be truly dangerous, passionate, alive and free is to live in Christ with the new heart he gives us through the new covenant he established with his life death & resurrection. Wild At Heart is a call to do just that.
Rating: 
Summary: Re:I am a man and I'm ashamed of this author, March 7, 2002
Review: Larry Jon Graubner wrote a couple things I'd like to comment on. "He forgets that God shunned Esau the wild man and chose Jacob, the mama's boy and soft-skinned conniver." Actually, Esau despised the birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of soup. Esau turned his back on God, not the other way around. "Eldredge thinks men need to be warriors and fierce. Yet God told David he couldn't build the temple because he was a warrior. God granted that privilege to David's son Solomon, a philospher king, the wisest man ever." David couldn't build the temple not because he was a warrior, but because he had shed innocent blood. David murdered Uriah so he could marry Bathsheba. This is why he could not build the temple. I don't know how foundational these two points are to your dislike of this book, but you might want to go reread it again. Nathan DeWitt
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Summary: Great book on self-esteem
Review: This is a very entertaining book with lots of fun stories and anecdotes, but it brought up some real concerns for me as well. Here they are........ #1, Eldredge thinks Christian men should stop being just a 'bunch of "really nice guys". While I agree the Christian life is much more than merely being nice to other people, the NT clearly makes love the defining characteristic. Love of God and love of others should be the defining mark for any believer -- male or female. However, after reading this book a person would be more inclined to think that being wild, passionate and free should be the defining marks. They may have a role, but I suggest they are secondary. #2, Eldredge claims that Christian men are 'bored' and that they need more adventure. However, based on my own experiences boredom is not due to a lack of entertainment and adventure, but it is because of a lack of purpose. Boredom comes from exhausting my passion for myself instead of seeking after God and becoming a man after God's own heart. #3, Eldredge claims God designed men to be 'dangerous'. I'm still trying to figure out how this fits in with the fall. What I mean is, before the fall (before Adam sinned) was Adam created by God to be 'dangerous'? If so, then who was Adam to be dangerous towards -- himself, his wife, God? If God did not design Adam to be dangerous, but danger is now a characteristic in men, then that must have come from the fall, and is a result of sin? If so, then embracing this danger cannot be glorifying to God, because it is a result of sin. #4, Eldredge encourages men to come to grips with their "secret longings". Boy, I have some secret longings which would be disastrous for me to pursue. The only secret longing which can be pursued without qualification is God. To hunger and thirst after Him as the sole desire of our heart should be the goal of every Christian man. The purity of heart is to will one thing and for the Christian that's willing God's glory and finding my rest in Him. Eldredge introduces this, but it's not clearly stated and our passion for adventure clouds the purity of a heart after God. #5, Eldredge weaves numerous stories, movie quotes, pop music lyrics and other tidbits in with the selected Bible passages. This is something I noticed in the Sacred Romance - his other book. He mixes pop culture in with the Word, and bounces back and forth between the two. I truly don't think it's unfair to say a person ends up with the impression that both are equally valid teaching tools or lesson providers. There's no qualitative distinction between the two. He doesn't say, 'OK this is what the world thinks, now let's contrast that what God has to say.'.....instead he lays them side by side and promotes both as sources of truth and guidance. #6, Eldredge emphasizes freedom as an end. Freedom is a means, but is never an end. It is the means by which one chooses holy living. #7, Unfortunately the book becomes anthropocentric or egocentric. Yes, it uses a bunch of Christian lingo, and uses some Bible verses, but for the reasons above it ends up focusing on human passion and desires, and not a godly passion. (although the latter is mentioned) #8, Eldredge encourages men to become like 'little boys'. This reminds me of Pauls words in the NT encourageing Christians to leave childish things behind. Eldredge asks men to go backwards in order to go forwards. There's nothing wrong with entertainment until it takes center stage. #9, If you want good stories read this book if you want good theology read the NT. #10, It would have been helpful if Eldredge had included a section on the dangers of following our hearts and listening to our hearts. It would have been great if he would have touched on Christian self-denial and how to live a life of service for others and primarily for one's family. Self-sacrifice isn't popular, but it is what leads to a truly fulfilling life, not self-gratification. It's a hard subject to write on and it's an especially hard subject to sell many books with, but it is so needed today.
Rating:
Summary: Explore The Heart And Soul Of A Real Christian Man....
Review: If you are a "Christian" man, parent, or woman...or "non-Christian", this book is a powerful eye opener on the dance between the sexes, and the blending of living true to one's self and God's direction. If you are just passively going through the motions, in your life, your spirituality, your marriage, or your parenting...this book is a must read. I absoluely love John Eldrege's philosophy!
Rating:
Summary: Simple yet profound
Review: Simple yet profound, as all great truths are. I read this book at my mid-life crisis and it cleared everything up as to why I was thinking certain things, feeling certain ways. It has really confirmed what God was showing me in my quiet time. There is no teaching today about the heart of man, from the perspective of God, and what role it plays in our fallen and redemed state; the many scripture references on God and the heart. The really great thing, is our true self can only be discovered with intimacy with our heavenly Father. It makes life so much easier to live. It has really blessed my marriage and broght us closer because I no longer have to draw my strength soley from my wife. In this "crisis" she did not have what I needed. Rather, God is now my source and I can pour His strength back into my wife. What a difference that makes for her and for a great marriage! My next step is to get the workbook. Great job John Eldredge! It's all about intimacy with God!
Rating:
Summary: WILD AT HEART
Review: I AM MORE THAN DISAPPOINTED IN YOUR BOOK. OUR FAMILY HAS NOW BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC FOR THE WORLD OF MEN LEAVING TO SERVE THEMSELVES. THIS BOOK HAS GOOD INTENTIONS, YET IS NOT BASED ON GOD'S WORD (THE STANDARD BY WHICH WE MEASURE) GOD TELLS MEN TO LAY THEIR LIVES DOWN, PICK UP THIER CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM. BUT NOW THEY ARE BEING TOLD THEY ARE WILD AT HEART AND IT HAS CAUSED SO MUCH PAIN AS THEY WALK OUT ON THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND THEIR PASSION. WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN A SON JOSH AND DAUGHTER BRITTANY. THEY WATCHED THEIR DAD LEAVE TWO DAYS AGO.
RICK HAD BEEN IN MINISTRY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS , GOT INTO PORN AND ADAULTERY. WE HAVE BEEN ATTENDING NEW LIFE CHURCH IN THE SPRINGS AND GOING TO DOUG WIESS SENINARS , AT HEART TO HEART, AND WILD AT HEART WITH KENT MILLER. THIS BOOK FOR SURE IS NOT WHERE OUR PROBLEMS BEGAN, "BUT" IT HAS CAUSED THE MOST ARROGANT, NEGATIVE, REACTION SO FAR IN RICK. HE ALREADY WAS SO SELF CENTERED, DISREGUARDING FAITHFULNESS, INTEGRITY, AND CHARACTER. NOW HE IS IN SOME SMALL GROUP OF WILD AT HEART. HE HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GET WORSE.
I HAVE MET OTHER WOMEN WHOSE HUSBANDS ATTENDED AND BECAME WORSE TOO. YOU MAY NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS FILTERED INTO YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS. MY HUBAND HAS DECIDED HE IS GOING AFTER HIS PASSION TO BE A MUSICAN. HE IS CONVINCED IF HE HAD DONE THAT FROM THE BEGINNING HE WOULD NOT HAVE GOT INTO PORN AND ADAULTERY. NOW NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD BUY THIS. HE IS GROPPING AT STRAWS AND TRYING TO SELL ME SOMETHING I AM NOT BUYING. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULD PRAY NOW FOR OUR FAMILY SINCE YOU HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN OUR HOME ENDING SO HE COULD BE WILD AT HEART. WHAT IF A BOOK COMES OUT TELLING WOMEN TO BLOW OFF THE WORD OF GOD . FIND THEIR PASSION AND LET THIER CHILDREN GO UNATTENDED SO THEY COULD BE HAPPY. GOD DID NOT CALL US TO BE HAPPY. HE CALLED US TO OBEY AND SERVE. IF THESE LAZY WILD SELF CENTERED MEN WOULD GO OUT AND HELP THE ONES THAT GOD IS TRYING TO FIND WORKERS TO HELP THEIR REWARD WOULD COME. THIS BOOK NEEDS BALANCE IN THE WORST WAY AND SOON. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN MORE REACTIONS ALONG THIS ORDER. I WILL SAY AGAIN , I KNOW YOUR INTENTION IS GOOD. YOUR BOOK IS JUST MAJOR UNBALANCED TO GOD'S WORD. YOU HAVE PLAYED A LARGE ROLL IN OUR FAMILY SPLITTING. BOTH OF MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF HAVE HAD SO MUCH STRESS FROM RICK'S SIN WE HAVE HAD TO ACTUALLY GET MEDICAL SUPPORT. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL REALIZE "GOD SAY'S , RENEW YOUR MINE" NOT GO FOR "YOUR PASSION". I WOULD NOT RECOMEND ANYONE TO READ THIS BOOK. ANOTHER FAMILY ON THE HEAP OF BROKEN HOMES THANKS DEBRA, JOSH, AND BRITTANTY
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Summary: Who can give a man this, his own name (G. MacDonald)?
Review: Who is initiating men today? Our Schools, our Clubs, Our Single Parents, Our Role Models-Sports, Law Enforcement, Politics, Our Churches? I believe men like Eldredge, Bly, etc. The others are doing an admirable job, but boys & men come away with few life long answers & achievements. But they turn a corner & are burnt out, fall, stumbled up, etc. A man's life or a mandate for a masculine life must answer what is "...a battle to fight, an adventure to live, & a beauty to rescue", & Eldredge starts this extremely well. We might ask, "With out Lewis & Clark what battles, adventure & beauties would men have had? This book is not "Men for Dummies". Wild at Heart begins (substantially) answer "What is my name, Why am I here, How do I stay here with significance or what do I fight for, Can I keep the adventure & How do I rescue a beauty. A significant book, read it along with "Iron John", "Mescaline Journey ", "The Seasons of a Man's Life,", "Fire in the Belly ", etc.
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