Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God

Brennan Manning writes in Ruthless Trust that "trust is our gift back to God." Throughout the book, he identifies reasons why we may have problems trusting God and many more reasons why God is completely trustworthy. Through autobiographical accounts, stories, quotes, and by drawing from his extensive learning and his tried and tested relationship with God, Manning targets the reader's relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Manning drives the point home that we are loved unconditionally and enormously by God. He emphasizes that we are loved as we are today with all of our weaknesses, imperfections and mistakes. He writes that what gives God pleasure more than anything in creation is a believer trusting that he or she is loved. Manning's thrust encourages the reader to experience the presence of the Lord in the present. He affirms to us that we do not need to worry about the past or fret the future because our Soul's Sufficiency is with us in the now. One of the obstacles to trusting God that people face, says Manning, is that we have a distorted perception of God. In this book, he presents a true image of the welcoming, gentle God who died on the cross to be with us. Manning attacks some of the false images of God that have been presented by the religious over the years. At one point in the book, he summarizes his belief regarding this distortion of God's image: Thirty-seven years of pastoral experience with Catholics, mainline Protestants, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Seventh Day Adventists, blacks, whites, Asians, and Hispanics tell me unmistakably that many a believer's perception of God is radically wrong. (72) Manning effectively leads the reader to comprehension of a true image of our God. The God Manning writes about draws us into his presence daily with love and kindness. Another problem that Manning addresses is the plague of low self-esteem among Christians. He argues that low self-esteem keeps Christians wallowing in guilt and shame and prevents the full acceptance of Christ's redemption. Manning also decries the tone of low self-esteem and insecurity that often underlies religious messages. He shares how such messages condemn listeners and push them from intimacy with the Lord: From personal experience I can testify that the language of low self-esteem is harsh and demanding; it abuses, accuses, rejects, finds fault, blames, condemns, reproaches, and scolds in a monologue of impatience and chastisement. (16) Unfortunately, many Christians, like Manning, have been the object of such assaults that lead to self-analysis and doubt in our righteousness in Christ. Manning writes that such messages are in sharp contrast to the words of life continually coming from God. Manning doesn't imply that Christians should ignore sins; rather, he strives to help us acknowledge our flaws and brokenness, so that we can confess our sins and accept ourselves as Christ does-without condemnation or accusation but

Brennan Manning has written another wonderful book that challenges the Christian community to re-think its ideals, and more importantly, actions. Manning urges individuals who read this book to exist in the moment, trusting God for the grace we need for forgiveness from the sins of the past, as well as the provision we need for the demands of the future. This having been said, however, he spends much of the book talking about how it is not that simple, and is admirably unafraid to approach the dark areas and periods of his own life and the lives of those he uses as illustrations, as well as the concepts which many of his contemporaries have avoided. (How do we trust when we lose a family member, or when some other human tragedy occurs?)Manning's anecdotes about people of faith, and everyday "ragamuffins" are both inspiring and well-chosen in support of his points. This book is, necessarily, a bit more philosophical and abstract than was "The Ragamuffin Gospel", but his style is remarkably similar, and his passion unmistakably clear. Manning's words are rooted in the words of Christ; throughout the book he refers to the teachings of Jesus as the most important aspects of contemplation, maintaining that they, and His example, are the only standard worthy of emulation.This is a book well worth reading, and, like its predecessor, it is bound to cause theological controversy because of its straightforward ideas about the fundamental character of God, as well as its implications for the lives of individuals who read and seek to apply its truths.

If you read this book, and you are a follower of Christ, you will be challenged out of the box like you probably never have been before. Brennan Manning has once again woven together his words in a way that will not leave you without a lot of questions. Brennan shares once again his incredible stories of personal trial and reaching for a God who does not always seem to be close. This book really challenged me to evaluate where I was with my faith, and who I was really trusting, God, or myself and my abilities. Brennan has a simple yet brilliant concept that has been echoed over and over again throughout the centuries, God loves us, and there is nothing we can do about it. Manning calls us to go past faith into Ruthless Trust, this, I don't think will be easy to do, but we are commanded to try none the less.Thanks to Brennan for his challenge and continued dealing with the tough issues of Christianity. Issues that many other authors do not, or choose not to deal with. This is a good read, I guarantee it.

Once again Brennan Manning, through his uncanny ability to tell stories and cut into the heart of the reader, has produced a challenging and practical guide to life as a disciple of Jesus. Ruthless Trust challenges the reader to a new understanding of how trusting in the loving character and nature of God affects our thoughts, emotions, and actions. No one can read this book and go away unchanged.