Search - Erwin Mcmanus :: Barbarian Way: Unleash the Tamed Faith

The love intimacy, passion, and sacrifice of spirituality

FaithfulReader.com | New York, New York | 03/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be honest with you. When I first saw the title of Erwin McManus's latest book, THE BARBARIAN WAY: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within, my first thought was, "Gimme me a break! Unleash? Untamed? Barbarian? Is this a spiritual manifesto or the latest physical fitness fad?"



The cover didn't do much to alleviate my cynicism. It seems like youngish pastors these days are in a contest to exude as much hip-ness as possible, and McManus, pictured wearing black and standing on the double yellow lines of an urban street at night, looks like he's poised to take the "cool" trophy. Plus, he calls himself not only a pastor but also a "cultural architect." What's up with that?! Is being a pastor not enough for ya? Not cool enough?



I reveal my rather embarrassing lack of generosity to illustrate how far I've come when I say, "All hail the cultural architect!"



THE BARBARIAN WAY packs a powerful spiritual punch in a small package. Clocking in at 148 pages, the book urges Christians to throw off the yoke of ... Christianity, a polite religion that he says has stultified the true message of Christ and his vision for the lives of his followers.



"Somewhere along the way the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized as Christianity," he writes. "We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God's optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing. I wonder how many of us have lost our barbarian way and have become embittered with God, confused in our faith because God doesn't come through the way we think He should."



As you've probably gathered from the title, McManus advocates a more romantic, adventurous, and arguably reckless paradigm for Christian living. He defines the "barbarian way" as being about love, intimacy, passion and sacrifice. "Barbarians love to live and live to love. For them God is life, and their mission is to reconnect humanity to Him. Their passion is that each of us might live in intimate communication with Him who died for us. The barbarian way is a path of both spirit and truth. The soul of the barbarian is made alive by the presence of Jesus."



But the defining aspect of the barbarian way is really fearlessness. McManus effectively argues that the Christian life is about a lot of things, but it's never about being safe --- emotionally or physically. It's about becoming strong via bold vulnerability, the call of Christ to engage with a dangerous world. It's not an insurance plan.



"For years I have made it my mission to destroy the influence of the Christian cliché, 'the safest place to be is in the center of the will of God.' God would never choose for us safety at the cost of significance. God created you so that your life would count, not so that you could count the days of your life," he writes.



He goes on to say, "When we fear God and God only, we are no longer bound by all of the other fears that would hold us captive. The fear of death, the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of insignificance --- all of the fears that we know by name and haunt us in the dark of the night become powerless when we know the fear of the Lord. And if this is not enough, we discover that perfect love casts out all fear. Not even God will hold us or control us by fear. When we fear Him, we in essence begin to live a life where we are fearless."



I think this take on the Christian life is especially gripping in this age of fear mongering. Politicians, news outlets, the neighborhood gossip, and even some pastors --- everyone does it. And there are things going on in our communities and in the world with which we do need to be engaged. But not from a position of fear. We need to engage the world with fearless love.



There are aspects of THE BARBARIAN WAY that I would argue, but mainly on points of emphasis rather than substance. For example, the barbarian way seems like "the Lone Ranger way" for much of the book. When McManus does get around to talking about community, I like what he has to say. But I think it could have used a little more prominence. And the premises of a few of his statements were suspect in my book, no pun intended. But basically, I'm nitpicking. McManus has ignited my spiritual imagination.



And none of this is keeping me from sending this book to my brother and suggesting it to a few other friends, including you.



--- Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel"

Believe again anew!

Steven R. McEvoy | Canada | 05/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to reccommend to you a great little book I just read. It is called "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus. I reieved it for my birthday last week and can not give it a high enough reccomendation. It focus is on the fact that the christian faith should not be the simple quiet protected life. Thatb the call to be a christian is a call to risk, to live on the edge, with danger, trials and troubles. That the churh has become domesticated and it lack's appeal because of that.



It is out by Thomas Nelson ISBN 0785264329 Not only do I reccomend it, but they guarantee it, if you buy it and are not satisfied they will replace your money.



Some quick quotes.



"The claim to believe is simply not enough. The call of Jesus is one to action" p.5



"Perhaps the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us who declare Jesus as Lord have become domesticated - or, if you will, civilized. We have lost the simplicity of our early faith. Beyond that, we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untaimed, and primal faith." p.12



"The barbarian way is abour love, intimacy, passion, and sacrifice. Barbarians love to live and live to love." p. 13



"The call of Jesus is far more barbaric that either of those. It is a call to live in this world as citizens of an entirely different kingdom." p.32



"your life is unique before God, and your path is yours and yours alone." p. 37



"Just do whatever Jesus calls you to do the moment it is clear to you. Do not procrastinate; do not hesitate; do not deviate from whatever course of action He calls you to." p.53



"When you join the barbarian tribe, you begin to live your life with your eyes and heart wide open. When the spirit of God envelops your soul, your spiri comes alive, and everything changes for you. You are no lobger the same." p.69



....



For those who liked John Eldreges "Wild at Heart" or "Waking the Dead" you will love this book. Take a risk and pick it up, you will either be challanged or angry. If your angry you can get your money back. If your challanged, who know's where it will lead you!"

Is "Barbaric" Christianity Really Better?

D. S. Bornus | St. Paul, MN | 01/06/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I hesitate to review this book, because it seems to be popular with most reviewers so I suppose few will agree with what I think. On the other hand, the book advocates risk-taking and following what you identify as the voice of God, not caring what others think, so here goes.



First of all I emphasize that there are many parts of the Body of Christ and we all have our function. Thus, I am sure that McManus is serving Jesus in the way he thinks best, and is reaching people others could not, as a "Gentile to the Gentiles." And I recognize and applaud that.



However, my reaction to this book is that it verges on encouraging self-worship. The emphasis is on what "I" think God is saying to "ME." We're supposed to focus on that, and live radical, risky, adventure-seeking, exciting lives, not caring what others think, especially the old fuddy-duddies in the "old-style religion" church. It just seems to me that all this is a little too self-referential and narcissistic, and a justification for "doing my own thing" in the name of Christ.



It also seemed to me that many of the stories of the New Testament are taken out of context, characterizing John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Disciples as a bunch of passionate, risk-seeking individuals. How does this align with Jesus' call to us to "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am humble and meek in spirit, and you will find rest for your souls"? How does it align with Paul's admontion to the Corinthians that "all things should be done decently and in order," or to the Romans that "let everyone be subject to the governing authorities" because they have been established by God? "For God is not a god of disorder, but of peace?"



There's a romantic stereotype of "Barbarians" which is being drawn upon here. (We've all seen "Braveheart," right?) Faithful, honest, and true, courageous, indomitable, etc. But is this historically accurate? In real life, the "barbarians" of Europe and Asia were pagans and ruthless cutthroats living by the ethos of "might makes right." The only law was the sword and the edicts that strong men could enforce by the sword. If you wanted your day in court, it was trial by combat. The weak and powerless had no place in this world except as slaves and chattel. Their gods (Odin, etc.) were inscrutable warriors who cared little for puny humans, and only the "worthy" who died in fearless combat "earned" a place in the Valholl. Is this the way we want to be in the name of Christ? Are Christians really supposed to be like a "crash" of rhinos trampling everthing in their path?



In real life, the "Barbarians" were overcome by the superior military discipline and organization of the Romans. (Watch the opening battle scene of the movie "Gladiator" for an example.) The Huns fought for individual glory and honor (earning their way into heaven), and were not able to stand in pitched battle with the organized discipline of the Roman troops. Are we, as Christians, to strive for individual glory and honor?



Like I say, I acknowledge that this book touches many, and is a part of the message of the Body, that will reach some. But in the overall scheme of the Gospel message of Jesus to a dark world, I think that it is a message to be weighed with caution. I think it's better to be a disciple than a barbarian. We are not here to pursue "adventure" and "excitement" and "risk" for their own sakes, thrill-seeking and "doing our own thing" for God, we are to glorify and serve and worship God.



"For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This doesn't really sound like a barbarian to me. Seeking to be "barbarian-like" emphasizes my own strength and ability. But God teaches us that we have no ability apart from Him, and He works through those who are weak. "My strength is sufficient for you...for my strength is made perfect in weakness. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Our goal in life is to not focus on ourself, but to look only at Christ, wanting to have Him living in us and shaping our life toward that purpose. To me, thinking about trying to be like a barbarian seems like a distraction. Barbarians may impress and fascinate the world, but we're told that God chooses to work though the things that seem weak and foolish to this world.



But I took my risk, and wrote this, in a spirit of Christian fellowship and advice. Just my two cents... If it resonates with you, great, if not, I'm sure God will guide us all whereever we are."