Rating: 
Summary: Basic Message seems Correct
Review: A lot of negative reviews seem to simply say that the author is wrong but not really explain why. I am just selecting Michael Bauer's review as an example, and I'm sort of writing in response to his points.In general, it seems to me that Eldridge is quite correct in his description of today's church. Church is full of mostly women, and boys who grow up thinking to be Christ-like is to be "nice," they have been taught mostly by female sunday school teachers who naturally portray Jesus more often as the meek lamb-holder than they depict him as the revolutionary kicking merchants out of the temple, if they ever discuss this side of Jesus at all. Michael Bauer seems to think that Eldredge's view of a hero stands in contrast to Jesus' example. Perhaps, he misunderstood the book. Christ is our example, it's just that when Jesus says turn the other cheek, or when he actually does it, say for example by not calling down 10 billion angels to destroy his opposition, he does it as God-man, as one who has the power to destroy, but chooses not. What makes Jesus humble and merciful is that he has the power to destroy, and chooses not to do it. It's not simply the fact that He does not destroy, it is that he does not destroy, but he could have. It isn't merciful just to be weak.
One must first find her strength, and know she has it, before she can choose to lay it down, before she can turn your cheek, she must have one. Many men, who think they are christians have yet to find their strength. Many men attending church are just mister rogers type wimps. They do not resist the urge to fight back, and with steady maturity turn the other cheek by choosing to love rather than fight. They are scared to fight (fighting being metaphorical more often than not, in eldredge's book.) Jesus was not scared, he called out the religious leaders of the day, he virtually cussed them out as a brood of vipers, he stood up to everyone, and feared no man. He was a super hero. Eldredge is encouraging men to be real men, to find their strength. I did not feel he was only promoting some macho man image of christian men. He is not saying that men should never cry, or that they should be insensitive and non-relational. In fact, I think if you could speak with Eldredge, he would encourage men to become more relational in their roles at Church, perhaps by teaching Sunday School, and not spending all their time in board meetings. Michael Bauer says that "We must patiently wait for God's call and continually be seeking His Word, even if it means remaining in our seeminly unexciting Mister Rogers'-type churches." I believe he is half wrong. Eldredge would agree that we should wait for God's call, and seek his Word. However, a lot of the time we're waiting for a sign in the sky, when God has placed a desire in our heart, and a dream in our mind. Moreover, I don't think we should remain in our Mister Rogers churches, if that's not the Church God intended. The church is the people, not the building obviously, but are the people really living up to God's design? Would you want to be a part of a mister roger's movement if God wanted you to be fully man or fully woman, neither of which fit the mister rogers image? Of course not, you would do his will, that's the point of the book, it's saying that Men are falling short of God's will by being anything less than 100% man, and they are failing themselves in the process. Michael Bauer also says we should not forget: "this small point... it's all about obedience... doing God's work (not seeking to fulfill our own desires for adventure). It's about willingly being persecuted for speaking God's name and God's word, rather than our own. Wow! Now that's what I call a hero." I think he simply has a problem with logic here. He seems to think (mistakenly) that following our own desire for adventure is always incompatible with obedience, and doing God's work. That is simply not true. If we are Christians, we discern what desires are Godly from those that are not. It's not simple but it's possible. Often the same desire can be both wrong and right, based on intensity, timing, etc. The desire to eat, for nourishment can be good, it helps us take care of the temple, but it can be bad when we become gluttons (as many Christian men, including pastor's seem to be) or it can be a bad desire when we should be fasting. At any rate, I think Bauer is frequently assuming that Eldredge would disagree with what Bauer is saying when in fact Eldredge probably would support these ideas, like being obedient to God's call. Where they would disagree is what exactly that looks like. Are we doing God's will by warming a pew in a mickey mouse vanilla Jesus church? Or are we doing God's will by getting in the thick of the fight, engaging non-christians on their turf, building relationships with non-christians, and sharing the gospel with them at the risk of being rejected? Some call it Wild it Heart - God simply names it sin.
Rating: 
Summary: JUNK!
Review: Has the church losts it's ability to discern the voice of the true Shepherd? When I see just how many people buy into this garbage, my spirit is grieved. I can't imagine Jesus ever acting this way toward anyone. Everything I see of His example while on this earth was submission to His Father's will, gentleness, kindness, unconditional love, purity, truth, holiness, righteousness. Meekness is "strength under control." He came to shatter the common and traditional ways of "playing church" or rather synagogue. He came to set the captives free, to heal, to forgive, to restore humanity to what He'd created it to be before the fall in the garden. He came to redeem all of His creation - women and men - equally. He taught the disciples to get down on their knees and wash the feet of each other. He honored women by recognizing their acts of worship, valued them by teaching them in the presence of the men, by healing them, by commissioning them for ministry, evangelism, preaching the gospel. And after He sacrificed His life in a most humiliating display of love, He sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide women and men alike into truth. I have no doubt that this type of material is just one more way His heart is grieved over the condition of the church today! I long for His return ... to set the record straight! Never forget that whatever you teach ... He will hold the teachers to a higher standard and to accountability. Let's not misrepresent His truth!
Rating:
Summary: Thoughts on Hero Worship at Easter
Review: In today's media-driven world of heroic stereotypes such as John Wayne, Indiana Jones, Braveheart, etc..., I cannot think of any less of a heroic image than a lonely, deserted, naked, bloody, beaten Jewish rabbi hanging on a cross left there to suffer and die as people watched (including His previous subjects and previous adoring fans who were expecting a heroic, Braveheart-type king to resuce them from the Romans). And yet, what they got was this unheroic weakling-type, who seemingly failed in his quest to rescue the Israelites. ... Or so they thought ... However... Contrary to John Eldredge's vision of "a hero", never has there been (and never again will there be - until the sounding of the trumpet for the second coming) more of a heroic, humble, unselfish example of heroism such as this, since man was put on the earth. Jesus died for us - not for a want of adventure, but because He wanted to live in our hearts. Yes, Jesus gave up His life for us. From the "Wild at Heart" doctrine, it would seem that the only thing that we are willing to give up, (or to avoid) is a lifestyle with God in which we may have to wait around patiently for God's next command. When we are committed to a lifestyle with God, we are unable to be in charge of our own lives (if we truly turn over the reigns). God has purchased us with a price. Therefore, we are not free agents to go out on our own, selling ourselves to the highest bidder who happens to dangle the most attractive offer of adventure in front of our faces. We must patiently wait for God's call and continually be seeking His Word, even if it means remaining in our seeminly unexciting Mister Rogers'-type churches. I am also wondering what could be more boring (albeit certainly quite adventurous) than being a persecuted Christian prisoner living in a secured hole in the ground (with only bars for covering) somewhere in Southeast Asia. It must be extremely monotonous living each day (for months or years) with lack of available space to turn around, or to be able to fully stand upright. Living with rats and snakes, exposed to the overwhelming sun during the day, and to the rain as it fills one's small dungeon. Boring, maybe. And yet, what a way to live out God's adventure for our lives. And don't forget this small point... it's all about obedience... doing God's work (not seeking to fulfill our own desires for adventure). It's about willingly being persecuted for speaking God's name and God's word, rather than our own. Wow! Now that's what I call a hero. Are there any beauties being rescued? Probably not ... at least probably not anyone's beautiful blonde wife. However, the actual "beauties" being rescued are the ones being brought into God's Kingdom (as opposed to a castle somewhere away from a fire-breathing dragon). Well, let me take that back. Maybe it's the same thing if we consider Satan to be the fire-breathing dragon. The rescued beauties may be the ones to witness the persecution - maybe other prisoners, guards, etc. - who willingly submit themselves to enter into God's Kingdom. Yes, that is truly heroic. Some call it Wild it Heart - God simply names it sin.
Rating: 
Summary: Wild at Heart
Review: This book was very insiteful into the essence of men as well as women. Brings understanding to the phrase "we are made in the image of God". I recommend this book for men and women alike- especially women raising boys.
Rating:
Summary: Someone is making sense for a change.
Review: I only read the exerpt but if the entire book follows the message that Christian men are being taught to be just 'nice' but that should not be the 'limit' of his self. Free expression of being the man God created him to be should be the goal. We are losing the dreams of our childhood 'who we want to be when we grow up' and it's turning Christians into automatons. God is a wonderful 'Creator' - making us all unique but Christianity seems to be propagating the notion that we should all be the same, lose our dreams and become a part of the one. Careful what you are believing people. If this book propogates being true to your true 'self' and believing in God at the same time then read on.
Rating:
Summary: Who's in Heaven?
Review: After reading some of the other reviews of this book which focused on the author's admiration of violent men such as William Wallace, and the movie character "Gladiator" I had one more thought. If men such as these are examples of what Christian men are meant to be then what is heaven like? Does anyone really believe such men are saved and in heaven? Perhaps this is the real question.
Rating:
Summary: How readest Thou?
Review: Take a few scriptures out of context of the whole, season them with some popular writings and song then wrap the whole in the romantic violent "heroism" of modern film and you have nice dish called "wolf in sheep's clothing." Eldrige lures us into his book by appealing to our carnal natures and somehow making us feel comfortable with a little scripture quotation. A critical reading of this book reveals it to be theologically weak at best (if not simply heritical), intellectually weak, poorly written and organized. Sublimely hidden in its pages are statements that undermine the basis of salvation: justification and santification and skips right to renewal. However, he renews God in his image, not man in the image of God. This is a feel good book for the tired pilgrim who is lured off the path to salvation by the author. Our new age and Christian Book stores are full of such works. Anyone searching for the true path to salvation and spiritual happiness is best refered to Bunyon's Classic "The Pilgrim's Progress." This is the original "Field Guide" to the soul.
Beware of false doctrine. The "Old Paths" are tried and true. Shorcuts lead to death. Holiness leads to true happiness. The author asks: Why are so many Christian men bored? The answer is simple. They are not santified holy. The seek something other than Jesus and are not "meet for heaven." To paraphrase our Lord: Better Mr. Eldrige should have a stone around his neck and cast into the sea than face judgment for leading others astray. The cure for Post-Modernism is Puritianism. Hooper died for the truth. Watson and Wesley were persecuted and gave up all for the Gospel. Bunyon wrote his Christian field guide from prison...
Rating:
Summary: Living with Yourself and Loving it!
Review: In a world where pain of any kind is medicated, John Eldredge invites us to enter our pain and discover our healing. All too often we surround ourselves with fantasies or illusions that help us cope with the way we feel about ourselves. Ernest Becker in his book Angels in Armor described this as the human need to protect oneself by hiding behind some external covering. Dr. Paul Tournier called it our persona in The Meaning of Persons. John Eldredge helps people walk into their hurt with the help of God and to discover that they are in fact being led by God to bring healing to the wound in their history that has encouaged a false life. John uses wonderful illustrations from his own life as a father and as a husband to convey his point. I could see myself having my own "affair with my work" which kept him from his wife. I know the experience of listening to the "traitor" within me who sabotages my hope and joy as he also shared. The way out of our false self, our hiding, our habits of self destructiveness are also clear. The problem, like Luke Skywalker's in the cave on Datouin, is with our father. But he points out how God comes into this wound caused by our father and becomes the healing Father for us. This is a book for men to discover their true life in a way that they have never seen it before. This is a book for women to see the kind of reasons why their men live a life of "quiet desperation." It also reveals some of the elements behind a woman's desperation that are not so different from a man's. Here is book to share, to read together and to reread again. Here is a book that can be the birthing place for the true person you never thought you could be. This is your "Star Trek" where God is waiting to guide you where you have never gone before and to discover the power in being a man, fully alive, fully human.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, someone understands
Review: I just completed this incredible book that has opened my eyes to what was wrong, and what was missing in my life. His understanding of male and female is well rooted in the Genesis creation account and from it he pulls incredible truths about who we are meant to be as men. This well written and well reasoned book hits at the core of the woundedness of the male soul. He identifies the problem, and gives some solutions. While writing as a Christian he avoids the pitfalls of so many other Christian books that simply tell us to "repent" and "do better." He goes into the core of where the wound comes from and points us back to our loving Father--from whom all male-ness gets it image.I strongly recommend this book to all men whether single or married! It will change your life. Women would also benefit from reading this book--especially mothers!!
Way to go John Eldridge--you hit the nail on the head!! Thank you!!
Rating: 
Summary: Identifies problem; misses true cause and solution
Review: Eldredge has identified a problem (weakened manhood), but he's missed the CAUSE of the problem, and he never gives the true SOLUTION to the problem. Psychologists/psychiatrists do this all the time. Anyone with a Christian world view who reads this book should immediately recognize some fallacies that need to be addressed. First, it is not SOCIETY that has emasculated men...it is their own SIN. When we do not choose God's way, what do we expect? Second, the solution to becoming real and "dangerous" men and women of God is to immerse ourselves in His Word and His presence, to lay down our own wills. To REPENT. To OBEY. To DARE to trust Him. Remember, His is an upside-down kingdom.
What makes a person "dangerous" in the world's eyes? A lover of TRUTH! People have always been afraid of a man who does not compromise. They see such people as a threat. Jesus is that truth. He is the way. His word is the final authority. When we compromise and let relativism rule, we can expect to become emasculated; we have sentenced ourselves to mediocrity and frustration. Who wants to have a "FORM of godliness, denying the POWER thereof"? Not I.
Eldredge effectively stirs his readers to passion and purpose, but in the end, he leaves them without the true resources to accomplish that passionate lifestyle with their Savior.
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