The Ragamuffin Gospel

Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life.
Review: A very powerful book filled with arresting illustrations of God's grace that stings with a tinge of conviction due to our reluctance to accept it. One of the strengths of this work is Manning's attack on the Christian community's obsession with works-oriented salvation; he strips away many of those traditionalist foundations that we feel will define us and make us acceptable before God. Manning confronts the holier-than-thou Bible worshippers and challenges us to drop all of our defenses and to contemplate and embrace God's relentless grace. The first time I read this book, it shook up so many of my traditionalist views that I felt uneasy. It challenged me to remove the focus from my religious performance to God's love, and begin to view life from a new perspective. More importantly, it forced me to question whether or not I really trusted God enough to take Him at His Word. As a follower of Jesus Christ, this book dared me to live in the freedom of God's pure love. It is the best book I've read on embracing God's grace.

Rating:
Summary: The Gospel pure and undefiled
Review: I read the original version of this book over 4 years ago and it changed my life. I am so excited to see this book reissued.

The message of Manning's book is The Gospel, pure and undefiled...God loves you, no strings attached. Not only does God love you but He is pleased with you and His saving grace is always there for you.

The book helped me out greatly because I was in a spiritually abusive situation at the time I read this it and it helped me to realize that there was nothing I could do to earn God's love. Many Christians accept God's Grace freely when they first dedicate their lives to Him. They then spend the rest of their spiritual walk trying earn that love and forgiveness (which we can never do).

Brother Manning's book is a refreshing Oasis in a Christian world full of works-oriented deserts.

Even if you think you completely understand what Grace and Love are all about there will be something for you in this book. This book will challenge the very way you look at God.

Included in this book is a foreward by Contemporary Christian Music giant, Michael W. Smith, plus a 10 year's after update by Manning, a study guide.

If you have yet to read this book, what are you waiting for? If you read this book a long time ago, now is the time to re-read it.

Rating:
Summary: Approach with caution, but let into your heart
Review: Although one must have a strong base in the Word to read this book, understanding that we are called to be born again or "new creatures" through putting faith in Christ and an understanding of our sinful nature and a repentant heart, this book speaks to the core of our being. It was so hard for me to let the words Brennan spoke penetrate my heart; I felt like I was reading something heretical, but Manning backs up what he says with Scripture. Truth rings deeply throughout this book. Without chapters such as the one containing a powerful story about an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting where a man's fellow drunks force him to remember the sins his alcoholism had done and face the truth about himself, I would have been disappointed. I would have because, as other reviews have mentioned, we cannot simply go about life as people constantly thinking, "I can do whatever I want because God doesn't love me based on what I do," but we must be moved by His grace and recognition of our calling to be "born again" to enter the kingdom of Heaven and to therefore live a life based on our belief that we ARE, in fact, new creatures no longer enslaved to sin. I believe that Brennan believes this as well, but wanted to speak to the Pharisaical Christians of our day. He comes to the point of almost contradicting himself by the way he critically describes them, but does not if one reads carefully, trying to understand his thoughts. He mentions that if we think that we have not been that "holier than thou" person, that we are not seeing the truth about ourselves, and gives vivid depictions of his own experiences in this. I would recommend this book to anyone willing to read it in Spirit and Truth and see what Manning's purpose is: to show us that nothing can separate us from the love of God (in Christ, of course) and that it is God who will extend to us the grace of belief in Him. I love this book.
Shortly after reading it, in fact, I went to my sister's wedding and was surrounded by my non-Christian family and friends--'ragamuffins' in need of a Savior. After the wedding, my sister commented with great enthusiasm how 'loving' and kind I was, and in what she spoke I sensed almost a disbelief that anyone could love like that. She said I was different from anyone there. I think that what God spoke to my heart through Manning's book is what was responsible. I know that my focus was, if only for a moment, taken off of myself and put on the ones I love and was able to love by the grace of God. Thank you, Brennan, for your wise words of truth.

Rating:
Summary: The Gospel of Grace Embraced
Review: 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:
Summary: Relaxing in grace does _not_ meen embracing sin
Review: To the disappointed reader in Boston: I'm sorry you finished this book with the notion that Brennan is condoning sin. I disagree completely; I believe that Brennan challenges us to move past regret and shame, and to move forward to seeking God's love again, eschewing sin in the process.

The more you love God, the more you will _want_ to be free from sin to please Him. The important part of that statement is that love comes first. The goal of a Christian should NOT be to eliminate sin from one's life. Rather, it is to learn to love Christ more and more, and seek out his transforming power in your life. In doing so, sin becomes less desirable as your desires begin to match His; and your strength to resist sin becomes greater, as He lends you more and more of His own.

If you focus on your sin, you succeed neither in eliminating it nor truly feeling God's love. If you focus on the love, you will succeed in both with abundance. Yes, there are times when we must take active steps to change our lifestyle, our habits, our actions, our words, our thoughts---but again, the question you must ask is, "where is my focus? Is it on God or on my performance?"

For everyone who was raised in a performance-oriented household or church, I dare you to read this book, and then tell me: would you _want_ to sin if you could really believe in your heart that God loves you _that_ much, _that_ unconditionally?

Rating:
Summary: Approach with caution, but let into your heart
Review: Although one must have a strong base in the Word to read this book, understanding that we are called to be born again or "new creatures" through putting faith in Christ and an understanding of our sinful nature and a repentant heart, this book speaks to the core of our being. It was so hard for me to let the words Brennan spoke penetrate my heart; I felt like I was reading something heretical, but Manning backs up what he says with Scripture. Truth rings deeply throughout this book. Without chapters such as the one containing a powerful story about an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting where a man's fellow drunks force him to remember the sins his alcoholism had done and face the truth about himself, I would have been disappointed. I would have because, as other reviews have mentioned, we cannot simply go about life as people constantly thinking, "I can do whatever I want because God doesn't love me based on what I do," but we must be moved by His grace and recognition of our calling to be "born again" to enter the kingdom of Heaven and to therefore live a life based on our belief that we ARE, in fact, new creatures no longer enslaved to sin. I believe that Brennan believes this as well, but wanted to speak to the Pharisaical Christians of our day. He comes to the point of almost contradicting himself by the way he critically describes them, but does not if one reads carefully, trying to understand his thoughts. He mentions that if we think that we have not been that "holier than thou" person, that we are not seeing the truth about ourselves, and gives vivid depictions of his own experiences in this. I would recommend this book to anyone willing to read it in Spirit and Truth and see what Manning's purpose is: to show us that nothing can separate us from the love of God (in Christ, of course) and that it is God who will extend to us the grace of belief in Him. I love this book.
Shortly after reading it, in fact, I went to my sister's wedding and was surrounded by my non-Christian family and friends--'ragamuffins' in need of a Savior. After the wedding, my sister commented with great enthusiasm how 'loving' and kind I was, and in what she spoke I sensed almost a disbelief that anyone could love like that. She said I was different from anyone there. I think that what God spoke to my heart through Manning's book is what was responsible. I know that my focus was, if only for a moment, taken off of myself and put on the ones I love and was able to love by the grace of God. Thank you, Brennan, for your wise words of truth.

Rating:
Summary: Not a ragamuffin fan...sorry
Review: I had a good friend give me this book for Christmas, so I decided to read it based on his recommendation. Unfortunately, I'm going to go against the flow and say that I'm missing what many--including Rich Mullins, Michael Card, and others--are raving about.

First, I'm a little taken aback by the "Ragamuffin" label. The gospel is not for "ragamuffins" but for sinners who have desperately missed the mark. I know Manning probably didn't mean it, but it feels like there is a minimization of the idea that we are lost and cannot find the way on our own. Ragamuffin seems so watered down; the real impact seems to have been lost.

I also disagree with some things said by Manning. For instance, on page 31 he tells the story of how the public sinner "was excommunicated and forbidden entry to the church. He took his woes to God. 'They won't let me in Lord because I am a sinner.' What are you complaining about?' God said. 'They won't let me in either.'" Don't get me wrong, it's a cute story, but I'm not sure how biblical this idea is. I do not see the idea of repentance in this man's attitude. It's almost as if a relationship with God that is blessed by the church is somehow a God-given right despite one's courting of sin. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5 to expel the brother who was willfully sinning. I don't see any cute games that Paul (or Jesus, for that matter) played. I am not saying that sinners should refrain from going to church. Obviously, we are all sinners! The key is, do we recognize this and thus move forward in a repentant attitude? He alludes to this idea on page 103, which is a good thing. Although I might be accused of reading Manning out of context, this section irrituated me.

Manning's Arminianism shines throughout the book, with some mistaken idea that somehow all people were meant to be saved (see page 43). He says on page 46 "there is no one to whom God denies it." The question is, what is "it"? It appears it's grace. Is Manning a Universalist, somehow thinking that all people go to heaven based on a misunderstanding of 1 Timothy 2:4? His lack of clarity makes it hard to understand what exactly his point really is.

Also, please don't accuse me of antinomianism, but I don't believe the author properly stresses the importance of good works. Now, I work with a countercult ministry, so I understand the possibility of misunderstanding grace and thining we are saved by works. At the same time, the Bible is very clear that good works are vital in the Sanctification process. We are saved by grace unto good works (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-26). The Christian church today really seems to miss this message, and unfortunately, the emphasis of too much grace is equally as deterimental as the cults' emphasis of too much works. I'm going to say that I don't believe the balance is evident throughout this work.

Overall, I do not recommend this book. If there is one other book that I would recommend in its place, throughout my reading of The Ragamuffin Gospel, I kept thinking of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship. And I'll leave it at that.

Rating:
Summary: From a Ragamuffin to a Ragamuffin
Review: 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:
Summary: I've been on both sides of the fence, GRACE is the only way
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: As we are
Review: God accepts us as we are. He is delighted to call us his children. Even with all of our failings God's love for us is unconditional. God's lover is so strong that he sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins. All we need it faith if Christ. Membership in God's holy family cannot be revolked. God's accepts use and makes us presentible through Jesus. I had a pastor that once said "God sees us through Jesus colored glasses". Manning does not imply that we should ignore sin. Sin interferes with our enjoyment as members of God's family. As the author of Hebrews states, We cannot run the race if we are hindered in anyway (paraphrase). Sin hinders our race and has a negative effect of our enjoyment of God's family and love.