The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out

Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 13
9781590525029 
Category
Book  [ Browse Items ]
Publication Year
2005 
Publisher
Pages
272 
Abstract
Reviewed 
Description
A Furious Love Is Hot on Your Trail! Many believers feel stunted in their Christian growth. We beat ourselves up over our failures and, in the process, pull away from God because we subconsciously believe He tallies our defects and hangs His head in disappointment. In this newly repackaged edition—now with full appendix, study questions, and the author’s own epilogue, “Ragamuffin Fifteen Years Later,” Brennan Manning reminds us that nothing could be further from the truth. The Father beckons us to Himself with a “furious love” that burns brightly and constantly. Only when we truly embrace God’s grace can we bask in the joy of a gospel that enfolds the most needy of His flock—the “ragamuffins.” Are you bedraggled, beat-up, burnt-out? Most of us believe in God’s grace—in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet. Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we’ve done. We come to Him as ragamuffins—dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His “furious love.” Brennan Manning’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives. Now with a Ragamuffin’s thirty-day spiritual journey guide, it will change yours, too. Includes a 30-Day Spiritual Journey Guide!“Brennan Manning does a masterful job of blowing the dust off of shop-worn theology and allowing God’s grace to do what only God’s grace can do—amaze.” -Max Lucado, Bestselling author of The Gift for All People “I found deep comfort in realizing that Jesus loves even me, a ragamuffin, just as I am.” -Michael Card, Musician, recording artist, and author of A Violent Grace “This is a zestful and accurate portrayal that tells us unmistakably that the gospel is good, dazzlingly good.” -Eugene Peterson, Author of The Message Story Behind the BookThe world assigns value to people using measurable standards. Someone is a successful student if she receives As. Someone is a strong athlete if he runs five miles a day. The Lord, however, knows nothing of standards. The Ragamuffin Gospel was inspired by Brennan Manning after he discovered firsthand what it means to live by grace instead of performance. His words bring new life and sweet refreshment to Christians who are tired of never measuring up. - from Amzon 
Number of Copies

REVIEWS (1) -

Joan White
My prayer group read this book over about 18 weeks, sometimes spending two weeks on the longer chapters. Our group chose this book because it is a particular favorite of the co-facilitator of our group. She has read the book numerous times and has heard the author speak in person. It is also a favorite of two of our rectors at Christ Church.
What I particularly liked about this book is that the writing is honest and fresh, easily accessible, and full of humor. But most of all, it reminds us so beautifully that God loves each one of us unconditionally—and that is why Christianity is good news! Also the author quotes a wide variety of other thinkers that are familiar to contemplatives such as Anthony de Mello, Gerald May, and Basil Pennington, plus many others from all walks of life.
While this book is not specifically formational about contemplative practice, such a practice is often referred to in the book. I highly recommend The Ragamuffin Gospel. It is somewhat longer but not a difficult read at all.
5 years ago

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