A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred

Brennan Manning's books are always reaching deep into the soul and this one, "A Glimpse of Jesus" is no exception. He has uncovered the basic impediment to a deep relationship with our "Abba". Well, worth the read!!

Troubling dissatisfaction with one's self is a widespread problem for many people in our society. With his ability to "cut to the core" of issues faced by so many Christians, he challenges his readers to see in the life and teachings of Jesus His acceptance and recognition as normal this matter, in such a way as to help anyone leave the sense of guilt and failure behind.

This extremely important and absolutely priceless jewel is one of the first to directly address the most pressing spiritual problem of the postmodern age: self-hatred. We are a generation raised by the TV, the daycare center, the foster half-stepmother. We have not known unconditional love. And we hate ourselves.Brennan Manning's glimpse of Jesus opens the door to healing. Highly recommended.

I read half of this book in less than an hour, seated at BORDERS. I was absolutely mesmerized by the passion, the honesty, and the integrity of the author. I was at times gripped by compassion, at times almost brought to tears, at times feeling myself smiling broadly, all this because the book is written from the heart, straight to the heart. Brennan Manning addresses the issues of legalism, religion, and the need for the real love of Christ without holding back any punches. He shows himself as an unashamed, unapologetic defender of the truth, and of all who are downtrodden, alienated and sickened by the self-righteous, law-toting wing of present Christianity. He is fearless in his articulation, bold in his assertions, and deeply, tearfully compassionate in his appeals, so he wins the heart of this here ragamuffin Christian! His protrayal of Jesus will melt your heart. He supplements his own views with great quotes from many notable Christians, bulking up the integrity of this book. All in all, this is Brennan Manning at his fieriest best, but it is a fire that stands in defense for all who feel a deep need for a true sense of God's love and who aren't receiving it from the church at large. This is one of the best books on the person of Jesus Christ, as it delves deep into His heart. If you have been hurt by the church and by legalistic Christianity, then this is a book that will bring healing to your soul. Be assured, this isn't a mushy book on God's love. It is not fluff. It is a strong, clear, articulate presentation of the love of Christ and a passionate argument for the revealing of the true heart of Jesus at the same time. Take along tissue; you may laugh and cry all at once reading this! Enjoy!

In a generation where God has become mythology, guilt has become a psychological phenomenon and man has become the center of his own universe, Brennan Manning invites us to meet the the living reality of Jesus Christ and the perspective he brings into a life stifled by self-hatred. Manning writes that he has found self-hatred("unhealthy guilt, shame, remorse") to be "the predominant spiritual problem I have had to deal with..as a vagabond evangelist". In this book he introduces us to the Christ of his own experience: "a savior of boundless compassion, unbearable forgiveness, infinite patience and healing love", but he also challenges the reader to answer the question Jesus himself posed to his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?".The book in well written, intellectually challenging and spiritually liberating. To any one who has encountered self-hatred it points the way out. To anyone who thought Jesus had lost relevance in our day this is a challenge to reconsider. Enjoy!