What we read shapes us, often more than we realize at the time. Sometimes that book we pick up from the shelf has a lifelong impact, redirecting our thoughts and opening new paths. Though we may eventually part ways with a book, it becomes a part of who we are.
The impact of these books isn’t something to hide, it’s part of life, and it’s something to be thankful for even in the midst of later critiques.
Last week I wrote thanking John Eldredge for making the Story of the Scriptures fresh and fascinating, and starting me on a theological pilgrimage.
Today I want to continue that series and thank a second author, Erwin McManus.
I suppose part of what made The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus so important early in my journey was the way it complemented the picture in Eldredge’s work. From a different angle and with different imagery yes, but with many of the same themes. A Story that was dynamic and captivating, an invitation to take part in that Story myself, and an honesty that this was a Story full of risk.
That somehow made sense, far more than the godliness = safety and blessing formula I saw in much of the church. After all the lives of Christ and the disciples ended with crosses and swords, so why would we imagine following God is safe? Good and life-giving yes, but not safe.
I doubt I would have pursued studying or teaching the Scriptures if I hadn’t been shown that they were far deeper, more epic, and even more messy than the “churched” image of faith had taught me to believe.
McMannus also gave a voice to the ways that religion has co-opted what it means to follow Jesus. I grew up in the church, and after a while started to see a lot of disconnect between the stories of the Scriptures and whatever it was that we were trying to accomplish Sunday morning by sitting in a pew for an hour.
As Erwin puts it on page 128 “Religion can be one of the surest places to keep us from God.”
Not that there is no place for the Church, for the community of God’s people. Quite the opposite, that community is key to what God is doing in the world. But that doesn’t mean there is no place for a critique when we’ve lost our way. Prophetic voices are needed now as always.
So because it gave a voice to these concerns, framed a Story that captivates, and insisted that “True religion always moves us to serve others and to give our lives to see those oppressed find freedom.” I acknowledge and appreciate the role The Barbarian Way had in my journey.
Grace and peace
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Have you read The Barbarian Way or other McManus books? What were your thoughts?
What role do you see for prophetic voices in the church today?
