Rating: 
Summary: It's a good book
Review: I've met Brennan several times and read his books. He's rough around the edges, but isn't that the point? We're all rough around the edges - ragamuffins, every one. And yet God loves us anyway.Some people sin in public, some in private. If you don't believe in the concept of sin, you probably won't like this book. If you don't believe in God, you probably won't like this book. If you believe that you have to 'behave' in order for God to love you - well, I think that's why Brennan wrote this book. It seems to me that Brennan isn't saying we shouldn't behave. Of course we should behave. But we don't have to behave in order for God to love us. If you have children, you know exactly what he means.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most influential books in my life
Review: This book has been life-changing for both me and my husband. Both of us grew up in Christian homes but never really had an understanding of how God loved us unconditionally. We may never have admitted it openly, but we lived as though God judged us by our actions. As a result, we avoided him - since we never could live up to his expectations. This book really brought the reality of who God is back into focus. God loves each of us deeply, like a father does. It doesn't matter what we do. He accepts and embraces us anyway. It's disappointing that some other reviewers are still stuck on the stereotype of God as our condemning judge. Obviously God wants us to live up to the potential he created us for. When we sin, he is disappointed. But above all else, he loves us intimately. This is what Brennan Manning is reminding us in this book. And when this realization hits us between the eyes, we begin to treat others with the grace and love God has given to us. That's what Christianity is all about.
Rating: 
Summary: We Serve a Holy God
Review: God loves the sinner. God is gracious and longsuffering; He endures our transgressions. God loves us just the way we are. We are saved by grace, and not by our own merits. We are exempt from the law since we've received the Spirit of God by believing in the Name of Jesus Christ. Yes, yes, and yes. There is nothing you or I can do to make God love us more, accept us more, or win favor in His eyes. And subsequently, there is no evil we can commit that would cause Him to stop loving us, since anything we did, can or will do has been paid for on the cross. And nothing but the blood of Christ can wash away sins.
These are all truths, great Biblical truths, and I stand by them, and commend the author for expounding on the loving eternal grace that God is (I John 4:8).
But let us not forget that God is also a Holy God (Lev. 19:2), and He expects us to live Holy (Lev. 20:7, Matt. 5:48).
And please let us not forget that God is to be greatly feared (Ps. 111:10).
We should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1). Jesus knew His disciples were imperfect, yet He urged them to strive for the perfection of God. He told the woman caught in adultery to "sin no more". But were they willing to do as Jesus commanded them? Never once in any of the gospels did the Lord tell people, "Hey, don't let your hearts be troubled over your repeated sins. Go on with your lives, and just be comforted knowing that My Father loves you."
There is a serious lack of uncompromised holiness in the church of Jesus today. Those that strive for perfection (remember that Jesus said, "be ye perfect") through the infilling of the Holy Ghost, through dying to the flesh daily, by nailing their sinful, God-displeasing carnality to the cross and meditating on the Word while seeking God's face dilligently (something WE must do) are often mocked and labeled "legalistic" and accused of practicing salvation through works doctrine.
However, it seems to me that the "ragamuffin" mentality depicted in this book is apt to condone sinful, lukewarm lifestyles by falling back on the "God loves me, and accepts me as I am" crutch. That type of mentality would certainly find this book enlightening - and it is, partially (I say partially because there is another part of God that is eclipsed in the book). Are you ready to discover what the other part of God is like?
Here it is: God sends sinners to hell.
Hell is real, and people really do go there for all eternity. As much as God loves the sinner, He hates the sin. Jesus spoke more of hellfire than He did of the love of the Father. Why? Because He needed to drive it home by saying, "Look people, hell is real. The second death is real. The lake of eternal fire is real. I love you, but I'll tell every hypocrite to depart from Me on that day."
The Ragamuffin Gospel does not expound the Judgment Seat of Christ. And for good reason; it wouldn't make the compromised, backslidden reader feel comfortable in his or her sin. It doesn't tickle the ear with love and peace (Jesus didn't come to bring peace, remember). It doesn't demand sacrifice on part of the believer. It doesn't require you to die daily. (1 Cor. 15:31)
For the chainsmoking Christian, it doesn't preach that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (and that it is a stumbling block to others new in the faith), and that everytime you light up you displease God.
I was recently at a Full Gospel Church (I am a youth pastor, and took our kids to a three day retreat) and was amazed to learn that the pastor's wife smoked (as the entire praise and worship team!). And not in secret, either. They lit up after the service outside, and some of the kids saw them.
Now, because of their "I'm a ragamuffin. I can do anything I want because God loves me" philosophy, I have newly-saved kids coming up asking serious questions. Why? Because they saw those in leadership positions compromised in their walk with the Lord. They saw them doing stuff that Jesus would never do. And now they have questions about ..., drinking, and worldly entertainment. "Is it all okay as long as you are saved?" They saw stumbling blocks. You might call them ragamuffin Christian smokers, but I call them what they are - stumbling blocks. And their lack of holiness caused strife within the Body of Christ.
In Matthew 18:6, Jesus warns of situations like these. I believe this is relevent, and a very serious issue. There are so many things Satan has devised to sidetrack and distance us from God, but none of these things should be found in the church. (Especially under the guise that God actually permits it!)
Now, another problem I have with this book is that the author should know better. Does he light up a cigarette in the lobby after he does a seminar? ... Does he just do whatever he feels like, and disregards God's holy precepts?
If not, then how can he (in a leadership position, remember) tell those struggling with sin to just "forget about it" and know that God loves them? This mentality is harmful, because only part of the truth is being conveyed. Yes, we are all ragamuffins, I have no problem with that. In fact, the word ragamuffin is too kind for me. I like the apostle Paul's self analysis "scum of the earth" better. I am scum, and God loves me, but--
But the author also should be telling them what Jesus, John the Baptist, what Paul, and what all the disciples were ordered to tell the world, while still preaching the love of God: "Repent, repent, repent!" (Mark 6:12)
For those who call me legalistic and narrow-minded, I'd like to remind you of the last words Jesus gave to His church. And that includes all us ragamuffins:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Rev. 3:19)
Rating:
Summary: Stop! Don't go on without this book.
Review: You will never regret buying this book. It is life-changing.
Rating: 
Summary: Skeptical
Review: Portions of Mr. Manning's style of writing has an appeal to the heartstrings. I believe his presentation of turning from sin is weak as he appears to excuse the sin in several chapters and does not require or expect people to turn from it. He quotes from Paul Tillich's book, "The Shaking of the Foundations". The quotes go "you are accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now, perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now, perhaps later you will do much......Simply accept the fact that you are accepted." We are accepted only in Christ, if you are not in Christ, you are not accepted! This quote appears to be New Age rhetoric. His meditation style is similar to the New Age style of empty-your-mind mantra. He wants you to chant "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing", for 10 minutes. And at the same time you are to visualize what Jesus have looked like. He says "Don't try to feel anything, think anything, or do anything," and "Simply relax in the presence of the God you half believe in and ask for a touch of folly." This is vain petition (which Jesus warned about). God tells us not to empty our minds but to think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praise worthy things. In the "Paste Jewelry and Sawdust Hotdogs" chapter he profanely uses vulgar words for God speaking. He writes, "God whispers you ungrateful turd. Even the desire to say grace is itself My gift." While a few parts of the book are edifying, many other parts are questionable.
Rating:
Summary: Good book on grace and mercy
Review: I highly recommend this book.
I agree with the premise that we are all "ragamuffins". Manning writes well about the practical nature of grace. I think he believes all will be granted grace regardless of their response to God. Of course, I disagree with this premise. Manning writes in a style that is very readable and even tender. He clearly accounts for grace in his life. Even if you disagree with his theology, The Ragamuffin Gospel is well worth reading. It will make you think, and you will come away with a renewed sense of God's grace.
Rating:
Summary: Love and Grace
Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. It puts grace in perspective, when so often we as humans get caught up in trying to follow laws. God's grace is so often overlooked, but not in this book. Thanks Brennan.
Rating:
Summary: God's Grace Made Clear
Review: Before reading THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL, my knowledge and understanding of God's grace was perverted at best. While reading the book, I often glimpsed the magnitude of God's love for me. Simply put, this well and simply written book has been instrumental in changing my outlook on life. Once and for all, I feel free of all failures, guilt, and shame. I am indebted to and thankful for the members of A RAGAMUFFIN BAND for introducing me to Brennan Manning and the THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL via the band's CD, PRAYERS OF A RAGAMUFFIN. I highly recommend THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL to everyone, especially to those of us who have experienced failure, loneliness, guilt, and shame. This book can help replace all negative emotion with a spirit of peace, acceptance, joy, and brotherhood with Christ Jesus.
Rating:
Summary: WWJD -- For Real
Review: For those who ever felt like they were at the bottom of a barrel with no where to go, not even up, there is hope. The Grace of God is for Ragamuffins, like me, like you, like everyone. It is ok to be who we are, sinful, sorrowful creatures. Brennan came to speak at my school (Southwest Baptist University) and will most likely never be invited back because his message was so radical to this Southern Baptist Convention associated school. Incredible! The impact that this book continues to have on me has come in 3 ways: the first was a very "rebellious" attitude to the church institution. I bucked at any sort of tradition, saying that it wasn't necessary to be loved by God. Second, I came to realize that being rebellious like that wasn't being "real." I like what another reviewer said about this book not encouraging sin. The tendency to read the book and become complacent is a common occurance; however that is not it's intent. Don't fall into that trap. Thirdly, I am learning to love people just where they are without exception. It is hard, it is not natural. But that is where Christ comes through, supernaturally, to make us better. If you want to get to the heart of Christianity, please read this book through completely and often, search your heart, pray. You'll come to find the real answer to "what would Jesus do?"
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Reminder of What Jesus was all about: Love!
Review:
Just as in Jesus' time, many religious sorts today live by the letter of the law, rather than the Spirit - rendering Jesus' message largely ineffective. Manning reminds us that Jesus set us free from living our lives according to a bunch of rules, - he paid the price for our sins; past, present and future so that we could live under the perfect law of freedom. With scripture, anecdotes and personal stories he exposes the lies and tactics that we use on ourselves, or that are foisted on us by others that ultimately serve to manipulate us, or bring us back into that position where we live by the letter of the law rather than by the Spirit. And most of all Manning helps us to see ourselves through God's eyes and understand the immense and unfathomable love that he has for each of us. And in doing so we no longer need to "act" righteous, but instead can admit our faults and struggles comfortable in the knowledge that Jesus' loves ragamuffins and that the goal of Christianity isn't to put on a facade of righteousness, but to acknowledge our struggles and truly understand and appreciate exactly why Jesus died for us. (And he points out that ironically, when churchgoers hide their shortcomings they actually create an atmosphere in which those most in need of Jesus - those with big problems - feel out-of-place). This book is a must for those who struggle or have always recognized (or at least suspected) that many of those spit-and-polished people at church have more problems then they let on. And for those who are tired of kicking themselves and are ready to embrace Jesus' love and finally declare once and for all that there is no condemnation in Christ. It should also be noted that Manning in no way encourages sin, but shows that accepting God's free gift without question is the first step toward living the best life that we can and facing our struggles without guilt and self-loathing. And excellent book!
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