Some books will be kept neat and tidy. You’ll refuse to bend a corner or mark a page. You’ll jot down a quote or two, and rate it with the rest of the 3 stars on Goodreads. You might read it again.
And then there are books that become messy.
Corners crease as you fold pages with exceptional, moving quotes on them. The spine cracks, showing signs of your holding. Your tears stain the paper, and you mourn the last page. You flip through it, and you know: every page is filled with an insight that deeply affects you. And you decide this is a book I will return to for most seasons of my Christian walk.
That messy book, the one I am certain I will take off my shelf for years to come, is The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.
A younger me would have despised this book.
Me, younger in my faith and more out of touch with my great need for grace, would have rebelled against the idea that all my and my neighbors’ imperfections could be swallowed up and accepted by the expansive love of God. I would have felt – well – needy going to Him with all my need. When I say that I would have made a wonderful Pharisee in Jesus’ day, I don’t mean it lightly or jokingly. I loved my rules and looking good.
I held the gospel in one hand, and yet clung to the idea that my own goodness and uprightness affected my usefulness in God’s kingdom. I didn’t want to believe that anything otherwise could be true.
But a different perspective is offered in this book –
A perspective that tells me I’m allowed to not have it all together.
I can feel bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out.
I can recognize that sore burden of shifting the heavy suitcase from one hand to the other.
I’m allowed to admit that I am an inconsistent, unsteady disciple whose cheese is falling off her cracker on most days.
I can recognize that I am a poor, weak, sinful woman with hereditary faults and limited talents – truly a whole host of imperfections.
I can feel like an earthen vessel who shuffles along on feet of clay, and trudges her way back to the throne of grace time and time again. Sometimes faster than others, if we’re honest.
In fact, this level of openness with God is encouraged. And this is precisely the believer that The Ragamuffin Gospel was written for.
As the last couple years have ushered in new practices and rhythms of honesty, rejoicing, and honor in my faith, I’ve had to give up the most innate pieces of my sinful state. I’ve had to dismantle the ties of perfectionism, the reluctance to receive grace, the unbearable expectations I’ve put on myself and others, and the desire to look good.
The alternative, the place where I find profound delight in God and in the mystery of how He’s made me, is to be honest and live known in the love of God. It gives me permission to admit who I truly am: the inconsistent, unsteady, burdened, weak-kneed disciple who doesn’t have it all together.
That widens my arms to love others, and receiving the love of God too. Here is an invitation to open our needy hands, and trust that we are fully loved,
Without shaming or condemning us, the Ragamuffin Gospel pens words to this idea.
This is not a book that will beat you up. You don’t have to cower down in embarrassment under the weight of these pages. You will be changed, but you won’t be shamed into doing better.
By the sheer beauty of grace and honesty, this book will uplift your heart to the heavenlies as you bow down at the good, good throne of King Jesus.
Some will criticize the book.
Some will say that it doesn’t teach the gospel, and that his radical views are not helpful for the edification of the church. Some will say he refuses to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Others will say this book is unclear in its Gospel presentation.
However, I found this a very helpful and encouraging resource in the journey of finding words to comprehend the love of God. These pages helped me believe a little more vividly that when we come to Jesus helpless for grace, He gives us just that: grace.
Because I want you to love this book as much as I do, I must note: it’s important to know this is not a theological study book. If you’re looking for a biblical commentary or hard research, The Ragamuffin Gospel will not sit well with you.
However, if you are looking for an honest, imperfect memoir-type account of another man’s learnings and musings of faith, this is it. You’ll find common ground in someone else’s story. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll nod and say, “Oh good, I’m not alone” and “I know that feeling, and I’m glad he put it to words.”
Because of another man‘s courage to admit ragamuffin status, you can find your own courage to admit as well. Manning’s beautiful writing, good storytelling, and creative imagery will deepen your understanding of the depths of your depravity and God’s matchless grace in a relatable and engaging way.
If you can dare try to comprehend the expansive love of God for goofballs like us, this is your handbook.
And so it sits on my shelf, pages already marked and creases formed. My guide to moving about the world taking one obedient step after another into the great grace of Jesus – otherwise known as The Ragamuffin Gospel.