Book Review:
Above All
By Brennan Manning
Genre: Theology/Inspirational

Three years ago when I was in Albania, God allowed me to glimpse at what true faith in Him means. I got the book "The Ragamuffin Gospel", and read the book, cover to cover in a matter of hours. Brennan Manning, having come from a life of searching for God's approval revealed to me that God's grace has nothing to do with our actions. It's a mantra that we preach and chant time after time in Church and in Ministry, but sadly don't seem to understand. My Mother in Law is bringing that book for me to read again when she comes at the end of March, but for now, Manning has gripped my life with another work.

During our 1 hour break this morning, I saw "Above All" in the student lounge and sat down to leaf through it. As the bell rang 1 hour later I closed the book, having just finished the entire volume and having met with the living God.

Based on the Michael W. Smith song, "Above All", Manning explores what it truly meant to have the God of the universe suffer and die and think of me the whole time. Addressing issues like: Our distorted view of Jesus, and the transforming presence of the risen Lord. The first part focuses on the "who" of Christ: His position, His true person and His worth. The second focuses on the "heart" of Christ: His love for me, His humiliation and His effect on my life.

Perhaps the most impacting issue for me though was "The Distorted View of Jesus." I was going to talk in depth about this, but have decided that God is not through teaching me on this issue, but I commit to blogging about this soon. Suffice for now to say that history shows man twisting Christ to fit his desires, predjudices and preferences, the question posed to me is, "Do I know the true Christ, or a distorted creation of theological discourse?"

I urge you to get your hands on any of Mannings writings!

Overall Rating (out of 5):

(Why this icon? Because Satchel is the star of Get Fuzzy, my favorite comic strip… I read it every day)

0 Satchel: Um... didn't read it
1 Satchel: What a waste of trees
2 Satchels: The author maybe wanted to write a good book, but it just didn't happen.
3 Satchels: Thought provoking and possibly even mildly entertaining.
4 Satchels: Great book!
5 Satchels: Intsant Favorite!!!