I’ve just finished reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus. Good book.
The advertising blurb says: Using Jesus’ words about John the Baptist in Matthew 11, Erwin McManus urges readers to flee “civilized” religion and return to the “barbarian way” of following Christ.
Erwin McManus wasn’t raised in a Christian home, so when he came to Christ as a college student, he didn’t know the rules of the “religious club.” He didn’t do well in Shakespeare courses, so he didn’t really understand the KJV Bible he was given either. But he did understand that prayer was a conversation, and he learned to talk to God and wait for answers. Erwin’s way was passionate and rough around the edges – a sincere, barbaric journey to Christ.
Barbaric Christians see Jesus differently than civilized Christians. They see disciples differently, and they see Christ’s mission differently. The Barbarian Way is a call to escape “civilized” Christianity and become original, powerful, untamed Christians – just as Christ intended.
While I found the book a little short on the ‘how to’ of living the barbarian way, it is the kind of book that stirs something within, especially if, like me, you’re tired of safe, civilised, ‘we’ve got all the answers’ type of Christianity. I think that the call to find the barbarian way through our own faith journey and connection to Jesus Christ is probably far more important than a ‘how to’ manual anyway.
The sanitised religiosity served up at many churches these days goes against the grain for me. I’m not at all surprised that many people reject the ‘Christianity’ that has been presented to them over the last few decades. If the Christian faith isn’t calling people to radical transformation through dangerous acts of love then it’s just a moral code and that doesn’t wash for me. The challenge for me is not to just point the finger but to realise that I need to be living out that kind of faith.
If you’re looking to get a different look at Christianity, this book is a pretty good start.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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That sounds like a really interesting book Rodney – available at most Christian bookstores you reckon?
BTW you should review for Mind and Media (http://www.blogforbooks.com/), you get free Christian books for the pleasure!
It should be available at most Christian bookstores. It’s not a big book and it’s quite an easy read.
I enjoyed reading this book also, but I agree with you that it doesn’t give very much advice on how to actually do it. Have you read his other book: “Uprising”? I think it is even better.
Hi David. No I haven’t read Uprising as yet but I think I may have to go hunt it down.