Rating:  Summary: Yes, women read it too... Review: I have just finished reading "Wild At Heart". I purchased it for a male friend, but decided to read it first. Wow! I could hardly put it down. I would recommend it for any woman who cares about the men in her life. I intend to share it with my father, brother-in-law, and even my sister. Male or female...this is a must read!
Rating:  Summary: Dont Tickle your ears, always confirm it against the WORD . Review: In my opinion there is but very vague references to the word. You will see a scripture and then a chapter made around this point. I would have liked to see more scriptural references to validate his points. Inside my heart felt caution and just wanted to see it validate through a biblical story or passage. I have seen this book go around and seems that many women want to read it as a manual to understand men, its not very good for that understanding. It seems the ones that have a passion for the word have issues with this book. I am just saying be cautious and make sure it all lines up with the word. I might have well missed something in this book. But overall as I feel there is a possibility to be cautious of a lack of biblical references to support his writing.This book seems to be one of many that seems to want to wake people up to new thinking that isn't traditional in Christianity. Old thinking doesn't sell as well. There is nothing new about the Gospel and old truths are still truths. Dont let your ears be tickled just make sure its backed with the word. The word will make you WILD at Heart.
Rating:  Summary: To get answers, we must understand the Questions Review: I think that if we are to recieve answers to our questions, we need to understand the questions themselves. Some may say that John's obsesion with William Wallace in Brave Heart is uncharacteristic to Christ. Now i'd admit that he has a very rustic outlook on the male role, but i think the point he's trying to make is to fight like William wallace. Not in a physical sence, in a spiritual sence, because there is a spiritual war going on, and we must cry freedom like wallace, but in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and "fight the good fight". There will be people who disagree with me and thats fine, but please remember that we're Christians, what kind of a witness is it to sit at out computers and tell the world how stupid "those other Christians" are. Jesus told us to love each other.
Rating:  Summary: Irresponsible at Heart Review: Sadly there will be many people who take heed of Mr. Eldredge's hypocritical and irresponsible interpretaion of a Christian man. In Mr. Eldredge's view a Christian father encourages his children to use violence to solve problems. Even for a kindergarten student, (this is his advice!) I am disappointed and enraged that I read this book with hopes of some inspiration. The views that are presented are so absurd they border on sensational. Maybe Mr. Eldredge is the real poser and is chuckling all the way to the bank. If you want to be a good man and a role model for your children do not buy this book.
Rating:  Summary: The Truth Hurts Review: The Truth hurts! It does not surprise me that there are a number of negative reviews about this book. Doesn't the Bible take a beating: picked at, dissected, shoved under a thick glass lens in order to find fault and in hopes to discredit it. Men really are weak; milking from the wound that John makes so plain to see. Funny, the very thing John puts on the page, men prove through their ridiculous comments. Any man who thinks that John is advocating danger and foolish endeavors suffers from a lack of living. They are the pew potatoes of our nation that squeal like pigs at a challenge to get off of their duffs and make a difference in their world. They hide behind their wives (or mother's) skirt and stick out their tongues at any man willing call a spade a spade. They would rather live their lives through sport's heroes and film stars than risk losing a comfortable place on the couch. They live, only waiting to die. You don't have to join the service, fight in war, or kill anyone to be a man, but do have to follow the Commander of our spiritual war into battle when He calls you to put on the whole armor of God. Most men haven't a clue that there is a war. Too many action movies and video games have desensitized our nation into believing that it's all make believe anyway. Wake up, Men, or the Enemy will leave you alone to live a useless life and die a slow death.
Rating:  Summary: The truth? Review: I have been a full-time pastor in large evangelical churches for fourteen years. I have come to notice that today we have more Bibles, Bible translations, Bible studies, Bible videos, Bible Cd's, Bible DVD's, Bible books, Bible television, Bible radio, Bible music, Bible programs, and 'Bible-believing' churches than any other time in history. Are we making a difference like the early church did? Nope. So I wonder, what does the church, and the men who attend, need? More truth? More information? More teaching? Hardly! We have 'truth-overload' in western Christianity. We need inspiration, not information. We need transformation, not teaching. We need revelation, not resources. I agree 100% with Eldredge that what the church needs is an infusion of Holy Spirit driven passion and desire, led by men who dare to live the way God created them. We need more pastors who are bold and courageous enough to release and free men to be who God made them to be. Thank you, John Eldredge, for having the guts to call us back to biblical Christianity.
Rating:  Summary: Thank you John Eldredge!!! Review: As a 40+ year-old Christian man, I am astounded at some of the reviews I have been reading. I read this book once, and felt so moved, that I started reading it again right away! I have studied and read many, many books on Christian growth and even more on 'Men's' issues; I have participated in men's fellowships for years; I have attended countless Promise Keeper events (including Stand in the Gap in Washington DC). John Eldridge not only hits the nail on the head with this book, but he does so with a humble and Christ-like heart. His description of the Wounded Heart not only seemed to be written about me, but also about the 10+ men that are reading it in one of our church's Men's Bible Studies. His scriptural and cultural references, his poignant and honest stories (and parables) and his willingness to be vulnerable (without being a wimp or weak) is an example for both men and women that want to follow Christ and grow in their Christian journey. Too many men are hiding in their wounds and are limiting their connection with God because of it. The Christian Church needs to hear the message of this book, and the cries and wounds of its male congregates. My faith, my heart, my ability to be a husband, father and man-in-Christ have been positively impacted for the rest of my life because of the phenomenal book. I am sorry that so many reviewers have been caught up in the technicality of the writing, and missed the message. To doubt the theology of this book (with its countless scriptural references and scriptural accuracy) or the psycho-spiritual accuracy (with great authors like MacDonald or Bly quoted throughout) is astounding to me. It is of your wounds and walls that Eldredge writes. Eldredge writes that some will be so disconnected and emasculated that they will not understand the message of the book. My prayers will be for those of you that have missed this message.
Rating:  Summary: It has its flaws but by & large I highly recommend it Review: I've read most of the reviews & I think the author has been sorely misunderstood by those in opposition. It could be because these folks have managed to read 1/4 - 1/2 the book before deciding it just isn't their thing & proceeded to diss it. Eldredge never said that men ought to be irresponsible. He repeatedly highlighted the importance of responsibility & accountability - to both God & man. A REAL man takes responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Jesus was meek & humble, but He was also tough & rugged. He worked w/ wood, hung out w/ burly fishermen & tax collectors, & died on the cross for sinners. Being wild, dangerous & aggressive doesn't mean being reckless, abusive or irresponsible. It's all about balance. Remember that the Lamb is also the Lion. We each have a purpose on earth. Eldredge speaks of emotional healing & finding our purpose in God, to have something to fight & live for. To deny self is to crucify our sinful, worldly desires & bad habits (eg: pornography, gluttony etc). I don't think God means ignore self. Many churches are really telling the congregation to ignore self, though they never explicitly state so (I don't mean to say that you shouldn't attend church, keep in mind that the earthly church isn't perfect). To ignore your heart's yearnings is to miss out on God's blessings for you. I believe He blesses everyone certain gifts & talents, & places certain desires in our hearts, for one's enjoinment & in fulfilling His purpose. Do not ignore your yearnings thinking that you are being selfless & humble! Certain desires are planted within your heart by God. If you have a dream, don't sit & wait for it to happen. SURRENDER your talents & desires to God & ask Him to do something about them. This book teaches just that. Eldredge's efforts to illustrate his point w/ characters & quotes from movies have made this book an entertaining read. It isn't necessarily bad. Movies are, in fact, a good source in bringing about awareness to the world about certain issues. It depends on the choices we make (in my country, gory violence & hot-n-heavy love scenes are censored, thank God). There is always an element of truth in movies, though admittedly, many are also corrupted & far-fetched. Note also that Eldredge has never agreed w/ everything about the media's portrayal of real men. He made his point very clear. Though a woman, I have always been wild (while maintaining my femininity). In fact, it is thru' this blessed trait (among a few other channels) that God drew me to receive Him. God created the woods, the river, the lake, the sea, the hills, the mountains, the land etc. He speaks to us thru' His creation. Read the Bible - God more often than not utilizes nature to illustrate His points. Being horse-crazy, I especially take delight in Job 39: 19 - 25 & 41: 12 - 34. I dare you to read it & say God is a 'nice guy'. Now don't get me wrong, there are certain views of Eldredge's I disagree w/, like when he told his boy to physically fight back a bully. To me, a real man doesn't need to prove himself. Do it like Jesus - walk away quietly (Luke 4: 30). It's childish & utterly stupid to get yourself involved in a fist or gab-fight. However, I don't expect every Christian author or preacher to be perfect. It is entirely up to the individual to take the initiative to seek the Holy Spirit's involvement in discerning right from wrong. This book isn't just for men. For both genders, it will bring unfinished businesses you thought you've got over w/ to the surface. As for my taste in men, long before I read this book, I have always prayed for a husband who loves God w/o being a 'nice guy'. And if I were to have kids in the future, I'd instill within them a desire to live God-fulfilling, passionate lives.
Rating:  Summary: Must READ Review: This book was so insightful and helpful in understanding men especially men that have had wounded hearts! My husband and I read it together and both agree that all men and women should read it before dating and after marriage. Just a FANTASTIC author and nurturing to the soul!
Rating:  Summary: Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Review: I had been wondering for many years why I felt so empty and longed for something else even though I am a Christian. I found excitement in reading westerns and science fiction but I was still missing something. When a friend suggested Wild at Heart I ordered it and had it read in about 4 days. This has been one of those "turning points" in my life. I recommend it to any man and the women in their lives (wives, girlfriends, mothers, etc.)
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