Brennan Manning (1934–2013)
Author of The Ragamuffin Gospel
About the Author
Brennan Manning was a writer and speaks who led spiritual retreats for people of all ages and backgrounds. He was the author of more than ten books, including Abba's Child. Ruthless Trust. The Ragamuffin Gospel, and Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes. He went home to be with his Abba in April 2013. This show more edition has been updated and refreshed by his frequent collaborator. John Blase show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Richard Francis Xavier Manning
Image credit: Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group, copyright © 2008. All rights to this material are reserved. Materials are not to be distributed to other web locations for retrieval, published(see © info.)
Works by Brennan Manning
The Wisdom of Tenderness: What Happens When God's Fierce Mercy Transforms Our Lives (2002) 283 copies, 6 reviews
NIV, Ragamuffin Bible, Hardcover: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted (2013) 4 copies
Deus o ama do jeito que você é 2 copies
Convite à solitude 2 copies
The Comfort and Challenge of Jesus - Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves - Video Cassette 2 copies
With God On Your Side 1 copy
Seven Laws of the Learner 1 copy
Interview: Brennan Manning 1 copy
Running on Empty 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Manning, Richard Francis Xavier
- Birthdate
- 1934-04-27
- Date of death
- 2013-04-12
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Places of residence
- New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Occupations
- speaker
- Disambiguation notice
- Richard Francis Xavier Manning
Members
Reviews
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 43
- Members
- 10,107
- Popularity
- #2,350
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 105
- ISBNs
- 144
- Languages
- 8
- Favorited
- 23
In the beginning, one of the biggest problems I came across was Scripture being taken out of context/misapplied based on no more than a hunch... for example, Manning states that in the story where the disciples are trying to shoo away the children that want to see Jesus, Jesus "silenced the 12 with a withering glance," even though the actual Scripture passage (Mark 10:13-16) never mentions a withering glance, but does include his verbal "Don't stop the children from coming to me," etc.
He also seemed to read way more into Jesus' words for us to "become like little children" than I think is wise, as he seemed to be promoting lazy, reckless behavior, rather than the wisdom presented all throughout the Bible.
There was very little Scripture in this book, overall. Most of it consisted of stories/jokes which seemed to be included more for shock value or sentiment than for relevancy.
Manning blasted, over and over again, those individuals who don't live the way that he thinks Christians should - which is to say, the way Manning lives. There was no nuance, no understanding that we all have vastly different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, and therefore don't all reflect God's character in exactly the same way.
And this last thing is obviously just personal preference, but Manning used a lot of "big" words - I may not be the smartest person in the world, but I am a lifelong reader, and I came across several words in this book that even I didn't recognize. Therefore, I don't think this book is very lay-person accessible. (I found it ironic that at the very end, Manning states, "Long prayers and big words do not suit ragamuffins." [p 226])
For all the bad, though, the overarching message that grace is truly a gift from God, one that we can never earn or deserve, is a true one.
A quote I liked:
"The gospel of grace... proclaims the awesome truth that all is gift. All that is good is ours not by right but by the sheer bounty of a gracious God. While there is much we may have earned - our degree and our salary, our home and garden... - all this is possible only because we have been given so much: life itself, eyes to see and hands to touch, a mind to shape ideas, and a heart to beat with love. We have been given God in our souls and Christ in our flesh. We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt. This and so much more is sheer gift; it is not reward for our faithfulness, our generous disposition, or our heroic life of prayer.... My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it." (p 26-27)… (more)