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Available
Description
Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Nonfiction. HTML: Every man was once a boy. And every little boy has dreams, big dreams: dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. Every little girl has dreams, too: of being rescued by her prince and swept up into a great adventure, knowing that she is the beauty. But what happens to those dreams when we grow up? Walk into most churches, have a look around, and ask yourself: What is a Christian man? Without listening to what is said, look at what you find there. Most Christian men are . . . bored. In Wild at Heart, John Eldredge invites men to recover their masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God. And he invites women to discover the secret of a man's soul and to delight in the strength and wildness men were created to offer..… (more)
Media reviews
…Eldredge has a method for dealing with those who would disagree with him by standing on Biblical Truth – people he calls “Doctrine Police” and “Doctrinal Nazis.” In the Wild at Heart Facilitator’s Guide for “facilitators” of his workshops, Eldredge recommends a psychological
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technique of manipulation used to control and direct the outcome of small group discussions. By the use of marginalization and isolation, he instructs facilitators on how to “shut down the doctrine cop” (page 4). Again on page 5, he warns the facilitator to watch out for the “…doctrine Nazi – a guy who’s got some theological ax to grind.” Here again Eldredge instructs the facilitator to dismiss and evade any doctrinal issues being made and to marginalize and isolate the man who brings them to the group’s attention. “Doctrinal Nazis” and “doctrine cops,” as Eldredge calls them, must be silenced because Eldredge’s teachings will not stand up to the light of Scriptural Truth…
…His discussion of penis size in the book, and his use of profanity in the lecture series, including the ‘F-word,’ ‘G__ damn,’ and ‘sh__’ should be objectionable to Christian men, and a warning signal that Eldredge is not qualified to impart wisdom about biblical manhood….…John Eldredge has built his “wild at heart” theme on the works of Jungians like Robert Bly, Sam Keen, and others. … We must really concur with Byron Borger, in his essay on Wild at Heart, when he says this book “is so laden with wrong-headed biases that the book is unsound.” Show Less
Wild at Heart is insightful in noting that men live unfulfilled lives, searching to satisfy a vaguely unsettling malaise. So it is understandable that Eldredge searches to discover that certain "something" that we're all longing for. The Irish musical group U2 articulated this longing well when
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they crafted the song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Unfortunately, although Eldredge has asked the right questions, he offers solutions that are sometimes misguided and at other times patently wrong. Show Less
Eldredge clearly knows how to write to men and by the testimonies of many, he has achieved one of his objectives, which is to give men permission to be men. With all of the good insights Eldredge offers in this book, it is actually a little painful to mention two of what should be considered very
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significant problems which undermine the entire book. Show Less
Wild at Heart is so full of unbiblical content and downright error that even Christianity Today wrote a negative review. When Christianity Today, which embraces everyone from Robert Schuller to Tony Campolo, and seldom has a pejorative word to say about anything, feels compelled to issue warnings,
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it ought to cause warning signs to pop up in our minds. Christianity Today implied that Wild at Heart is a “syrupy pop book that pleases undiscerning ears” and then stated clearly, “The therapeutic virtues of the book, however, do not outweigh its theological and cultural vices…. Theological error emerges by page three.” …Eldredge has bought into every form of psychobabble imaginable. Show Less
…There’s bound to be some controversy over Eldredge’s approach to the story of Ruth. On page 191 he writes, ‘This is seduction pure and simple–and God holds it up for all women to follow. I envision leaders of church singles groups panicking as they learn that a single woman is at her
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best when she can arouse a man (page 192)’…. Show Less
In a bid for cleverness, I wanted to do two, maybe three, reviews of the tremendously popular and exceedingly problematic recent John Eldredge book, Wild At Heart (Word, 2001). My thesis was going to be: if just a couple things were different on the front end of this deeply flawed and theologically
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peculiar work, well, it would have been a very different book. Show Less
From the outset, you will undoubtedly notice that my review of Wild at Heart is overwhelmingly unfavorable. There would be no point in tempting you to read this entire essay by leading you to believe otherwise. But still, I want to begin by saying that I do not disagree with everything John
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Eldredge has to say. I believe, as he does, that men in America have become passive, passionless, and even feminized in some regards. I commend his efforts to convince fathers to steer their boys in a more masculine direction. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Eskypades
To be honest, I was a little disappointed although I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting. From the very beginning, Eldredge seems to be painting a caricature of what a true “man” that comes hauntingly close to how Hollywood wants us to view men as – rugged, square-jawed, outdoorsy types
There are two particular errors (among many) in the book that I want to hit on. The first is the noticeable absence of hardly any Scripture given to support Eldredge’s many false presumptions, and the Scripture that is quoted is so twisted out of context as to make it say something that does not ring true. Instead, Eldredge relies heavily on psychological analyses that fall short of correctly mirroring any Scriptural teaching. Don’t get me wrong on this point. I believe that there is a great use for psychology and we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak. But the danger comes when we replace Scripture with the psychology and try to make it sound Biblical.
The second and perhaps most disturbing error in the book is Eldredge’s claim that, in trying to support his view that God loves adventure, God is a risk-taker and even an “immense risk-taker.” To hear Eldredge’s view of the death of Christ, you would think the crucifixion was completely unplanned and God showed up just in the nick of time to set everything straight. “God lets the mob kill Jesus, bury him…then he shows up.” Although he tries to add a disclaimer that he isn’t a proponent of Open Theism, he apes Open Theism’s teachings quite well. Risk by definition involves some aspect of the unknown and to say that God takes risks is to say that He doesn’t know the outcome of certain things.
I do believe that today’s culture emasculates men in wanting to be in touch with their softer side and perhaps Eldredge was trying to fight against that. But instead what he ends up doing is going to the other end of the Hollywood extreme in idolizing he-men. In the end, Eldredge’s answer to regaining masculinity seems to be to get in touch with our inner caveman. While there were a few good points made, they are so few and far between as to not make reading (or listening to) the book worthwhile.
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that live to clock out at 5 and have their trucks in 4-wheel drive by 5:15 on some backwoods trail. In fact, many of Eldredge’s examples of “true” men come from such movies as Braveheart and Gladiator. It is apparent that Eldredge enjoys the outdoors and who can fault him for that? The danger is when he equates a necessity of enjoying all these things to how much of a “wild man” a guy really is. He even goes so far as to say that a true man can’t really like being inside at a desk all day, but should be longing to get outside. If he does, something’s wrong with him and he needs to reclaim his manhood by getting wild (outdoors). And this is the premise that Eldredge seems to base his entire thesis on – a man must be wild, adventuresome and ready for a fight in order to be a man. This is backed up with many examples including one where he advises his son who is being picked on to punch the bully in the face as hard as he can. This apparently was designed to make his son feel enabled and manly and have the freedom to fight back, despite the fact that we are to follow Christ’s teaching of turning the other cheek. (Eldredge defends his actions by saying many in the church misinterpret this passage, but never says how or why.)There are two particular errors (among many) in the book that I want to hit on. The first is the noticeable absence of hardly any Scripture given to support Eldredge’s many false presumptions, and the Scripture that is quoted is so twisted out of context as to make it say something that does not ring true. Instead, Eldredge relies heavily on psychological analyses that fall short of correctly mirroring any Scriptural teaching. Don’t get me wrong on this point. I believe that there is a great use for psychology and we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak. But the danger comes when we replace Scripture with the psychology and try to make it sound Biblical.
The second and perhaps most disturbing error in the book is Eldredge’s claim that, in trying to support his view that God loves adventure, God is a risk-taker and even an “immense risk-taker.” To hear Eldredge’s view of the death of Christ, you would think the crucifixion was completely unplanned and God showed up just in the nick of time to set everything straight. “God lets the mob kill Jesus, bury him…then he shows up.” Although he tries to add a disclaimer that he isn’t a proponent of Open Theism, he apes Open Theism’s teachings quite well. Risk by definition involves some aspect of the unknown and to say that God takes risks is to say that He doesn’t know the outcome of certain things.
I do believe that today’s culture emasculates men in wanting to be in touch with their softer side and perhaps Eldredge was trying to fight against that. But instead what he ends up doing is going to the other end of the Hollywood extreme in idolizing he-men. In the end, Eldredge’s answer to regaining masculinity seems to be to get in touch with our inner caveman. While there were a few good points made, they are so few and far between as to not make reading (or listening to) the book worthwhile.
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LibraryThing member DaddyPupcake
Great book. Several times I had to stop and say "Wow". This book gives great insight to how we men think and why.
LibraryThing member jpsnow
Every man should read this book (as might any woman who wants to understand men). It answers a nagging question most of us only recognize indirectly. It reconciles the nature of men with the culture of our time. It explains a lot and inspires a better life. It shows there is a way to be both
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disciple and warrior. Show Less
LibraryThing member Greengo
One of the best books I've read in a long time. A must for every man. I suggest it for women and mothers of boys too to gain insight on the male life. I hated when I got to the last chapter, cause I knew the ride was almost over!
LibraryThing member lougheryweb
There are so many good books out there to read and reflect upon, and so little time to read them. In light of this situation, I recommend you not read this book. Trust me, find something by John Owen and use your mind.
I found this book to be quite boring, and not stimulating at all. Nothing
I found this book to be quite boring, and not stimulating at all. Nothing
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personal against Eldredge, I just did not care for this work. His theology of God is questionable at best. Show Less
LibraryThing member dominionfamily
I am not a fan of John Eldridge or this book. I do agree with some of his presuppositions about our culture but I believe this book takes an immature stance on solving those problems. I also think it creates unnecessary gravitas in young men searching for their place in our feminized society.
As a
Great premise, bad solution.
As a
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Reformed Christian I find his theology iffy. I was especially distressed in a few of his examples from life in the book Sacred Romance. Great premise, bad solution.
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LibraryThing member rybeewoods
What man doesn't love this book? He tells you to watch Braveheart. He gives you freedom to be a man.
Here's what i think, I think more women need to read this than men.
Here's what i think, I think more women need to read this than men.
LibraryThing member serbook
I am currently at a great crossroad in my life. My wife of 18 years has left me for another man. Naturally many questions come into a man's mind at this time. This book has ceratinly answered many of those questions as well as started a new thirst in me to find out more about the masculine soul
LibraryThing member MrsLee
I enjoyed this, my husband did not. I found some of the ideas of maleness and femaleness sound, others not. A good book to be read.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
I enjoyed this book - many of the same themes as "Captivating" but written for men. I found the insights in manhood interesting.
LibraryThing member pa5t0rd
This is just one more book in a long series of current Christian writings that really has very little substance and is more about a pep-rally than actual theological depth and transformation.
I recognize the importance of encouraging people to embrace their 'manliness' but this book is a little too
I recognize the importance of encouraging people to embrace their 'manliness' but this book is a little too
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Tim Allen for me... Show Less
LibraryThing member kingsportlibrary
This book is based on the premise that many men have been emotionally "wounded" and therefore lost their passion and zest for life. The message is Christian-based and is used in some churches in workshops for men seeking more out of life while remaining loyal church members and devoted husbands.
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The book assumes all men are naturally aggressive but have been feminized by society. There are some good points here but I did not agree with many of them. It is suggested women read this to understand men. Show Less
LibraryThing member svdodge
This book take a look at the "wounded soul" of men and pushes men to, basically, think about people who have "hurt" them in the past. Think about your relationship with your dad. Think about friends, family, bosses, etc. Some of these discussions are interesting, and I think that a lot of what the
The problem is, they just keep talking and talking, never really having the gumption to discuss what to do about these perceived issues in our lives. They talk about the book as if it's a be-all end-all guide on how to fix the modern male, but that never happens. It never guides men to a real, achievable solution or path to take.
Also, the continuous focus on the imagery of men as warriors can be definitely damaging to people who don't understand their place in the world. I've seen this book do terrible things to people, building them up on a weak scaffolding (of warrior-ship) just to have them fail because they weren't taught how to realistically understand their situation.
I would not purchase this book for my teen, and you shouldn't either unless you take the time to read and study the book and determine if it's something you and your family can handle.
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book talks about is at least somewhat applicable to our lives. The problem is, they just keep talking and talking, never really having the gumption to discuss what to do about these perceived issues in our lives. They talk about the book as if it's a be-all end-all guide on how to fix the modern male, but that never happens. It never guides men to a real, achievable solution or path to take.
Also, the continuous focus on the imagery of men as warriors can be definitely damaging to people who don't understand their place in the world. I've seen this book do terrible things to people, building them up on a weak scaffolding (of warrior-ship) just to have them fail because they weren't taught how to realistically understand their situation.
I would not purchase this book for my teen, and you shouldn't either unless you take the time to read and study the book and determine if it's something you and your family can handle.
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LibraryThing member orangemami
Very good book. Will challenge your current perspective.
LibraryThing member MarieFriesen
A formidable answer to an age-old question: How can a man make himself tolerable and useful while accepting and expressing his primordial maleness-the searching and aggressive urges to conquer what needs subduing, protect the vulnerable, fix what is broken, compete and risk what demands to be
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risked in himself and the world? The author's message is set in the Christian tradition without being controlled by its ideology. Eldredge believes that institutions can oppress a man's heart and keep society from benefiting from his fierce desire to love, do good, fight evil, and go beyond the limits. The exceptional writing and ideational balance... make this a compelling effort to integrate the hero's gritty nature with the public good. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine Show Less
LibraryThing member wsbooks
Interesting book. Probably good for small group (intimate) church structures.
LibraryThing member perrigoue
Stay away from this book!
Man-centered theology. Open theism. Incorrect understanding of the depravity of a man's heart. Hypocrital call for men to keep pure...yet recommends movies with scenes of crude language and humor, lust, sexual situations, and nudity!
With the call to be "Wild at Heart" I'm
Man-centered theology. Open theism. Incorrect understanding of the depravity of a man's heart. Hypocrital call for men to keep pure...yet recommends movies with scenes of crude language and humor, lust, sexual situations, and nudity!
With the call to be "Wild at Heart" I'm
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afraid Eldredge may be catering to man's flesh. Tempting, huh? Show Less
LibraryThing member OCMCCP
God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires-aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more
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than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be-dangerous, passionate, alive, and free. Show Less
LibraryThing member wilsonknut
This is one of the best books for Christian men that I have read. It should be required reading.
LibraryThing member bohannon
A quick read, and interesting writing style. Clearly one of those books where the author is trying to reach a broad audience. Accordingly, several key passages of the book can be interpreted in multiple ways, and lead to slightly, yet substantively, different conclusions. All in all, I found it a
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very interesting book. An interesting attempt by a very conservative and religious man to deal with the overwhelming failure as fathers of the boomer generation culture warriors. But the main point of the book is addressing what it means to be a "man," and how to become the man each guy wants to be... A good read, and I think a good place to start to think about the type of questions and issues that each guy needs to address as they struggle for maturity and balance in this time of confused gender roles and social responsibilities. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrkurtz
John Eldredge invites Men to recover their dreams and to recover their masculine heart, define in the image of a passionate God. Men don't know how to keep their promises, be spiritual leaders, talk to their wives or raise their children because they have been taught from childhood to be a good
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boy. Deep in his heart every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. Eldredge gives us many examples of how men have come to lose their heart and to lose their way on the things that count. He says we must take risks to climb out of these restless lives and take back your heart. Get to know God and know what God wants you to do. If you listen to him you can throw away that early little boy training you were given and be a man. The man your wife wants you to be. The man your children want you to be. To do this you must pray to Christ and listen to him and to make the hard decisions you need to make to follow Christ and to teach others how to follow Christ. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyohess
A friend of mine gave me Wild at Heart to read, and the book was so darn good I ended up buying my own copy before I'd even finished it the first time. This is one of those proofs that "many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church" (CCC
If you had to categorize the book, it's a book about masculine spirituality, but really it's so much more than that. Much of contemporary Christian material geared towards men is designed to neuter and emasculate them. Modern Christianity tells men that their passion, their drive, and their ambition is bad, and so in order to be a good Christian you need to get rid of those things and pursue virtues like meekness, gentleness, and passivity (Indeed, they are virtues and Jesus used them when he needed to, but they're never an excuse not to act when action is called for). This message is subtly backed up by by emotive music and weak homilies found at most Christian gatherings. In the same vein, we've feminized Jesus himself.
So with contemporary Christianity having feminized our understanding of Christ and our understanding of a good Christian, John Eldredge realized we have a problem. Even in the Catholic Church, which is commonly accused of being male-dominated and hierarchical, the problem is the same. So Eldredge proposes something new, he proposes that how God made men is good, because the natural values and inclinations of men correspond to the values of God himself. Early on in Wild at Heart, Eldredge says, "We need permission. Permission to be what we are-men made in God's image. Permission to live from the heart and not from the list of 'should' and 'ought to' that has left so many of us tired and bored" (emphasis original).
Speaking directly to men, every one of us has a question that needs to be answered. "Am I really a man? Do I have what it takes?" Because of Adam's original failure and the wounds we receive throughout our lives, this question often goes unanswered or is answered in the negative. The sort of masculinity I'm talking about here isn't the kind of manliness that drinks beer, watches football, and hunts. That overly-macho man is usually just compensating for the wounds he's received elsewhere in his life. No, I'm talking about the manliness that knows what makes him come alive, that is driven to pursue a goal, whether that goal is to be star quarterback or first chair in the orchestra. Either one is true masculinity because it's what makes you come alive.
But through the trials of life, we often pick up the message that we're not really a man. We don't have what it takes. You're not good enough to be the QB. Playing an instrument is for wimps. Or to Christianize the failure: The desire to succeed, the desire to excel, those are bad. Meekness and passivity are what you should pursue.
But something about this doesn't sit right, because men were made to fight. Look at little boys on the playground, they'll turn anything into a pretend weapon. We are made to compete, to conquer, to vanquish the enemy. It's what Jesus did. He fought the enemy and he won. For us, the enemy is often our own weakness. We have to recognize the battle that is at hand, and we have to recognize what is at stake. The leader is Jesus Christ, the battle is against the Devil himself, who has infiltrated even to our own hearts, and what is at stake is all the souls entrusted to our care as fathers of families, in whatever form.
God didn't give us men wild hearts to be stumbling blocks for us. He didn't give us wild hearts so that we could suppress them. He gave us wild hearts so that we could fight for him and live like Him.
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819). John Eldredge himself is a Christian, but he seems to have a bit of an anti-religious vibe to him, as gleaned from his website. He is the director of Ransomed Heart Ministries, a "fellowship devoted to helping people discover the heart of God" (from the back of the book).If you had to categorize the book, it's a book about masculine spirituality, but really it's so much more than that. Much of contemporary Christian material geared towards men is designed to neuter and emasculate them. Modern Christianity tells men that their passion, their drive, and their ambition is bad, and so in order to be a good Christian you need to get rid of those things and pursue virtues like meekness, gentleness, and passivity (Indeed, they are virtues and Jesus used them when he needed to, but they're never an excuse not to act when action is called for). This message is subtly backed up by by emotive music and weak homilies found at most Christian gatherings. In the same vein, we've feminized Jesus himself.
So with contemporary Christianity having feminized our understanding of Christ and our understanding of a good Christian, John Eldredge realized we have a problem. Even in the Catholic Church, which is commonly accused of being male-dominated and hierarchical, the problem is the same. So Eldredge proposes something new, he proposes that how God made men is good, because the natural values and inclinations of men correspond to the values of God himself. Early on in Wild at Heart, Eldredge says, "We need permission. Permission to be what we are-men made in God's image. Permission to live from the heart and not from the list of 'should' and 'ought to' that has left so many of us tired and bored" (emphasis original).
Speaking directly to men, every one of us has a question that needs to be answered. "Am I really a man? Do I have what it takes?" Because of Adam's original failure and the wounds we receive throughout our lives, this question often goes unanswered or is answered in the negative. The sort of masculinity I'm talking about here isn't the kind of manliness that drinks beer, watches football, and hunts. That overly-macho man is usually just compensating for the wounds he's received elsewhere in his life. No, I'm talking about the manliness that knows what makes him come alive, that is driven to pursue a goal, whether that goal is to be star quarterback or first chair in the orchestra. Either one is true masculinity because it's what makes you come alive.
But through the trials of life, we often pick up the message that we're not really a man. We don't have what it takes. You're not good enough to be the QB. Playing an instrument is for wimps. Or to Christianize the failure: The desire to succeed, the desire to excel, those are bad. Meekness and passivity are what you should pursue.
But something about this doesn't sit right, because men were made to fight. Look at little boys on the playground, they'll turn anything into a pretend weapon. We are made to compete, to conquer, to vanquish the enemy. It's what Jesus did. He fought the enemy and he won. For us, the enemy is often our own weakness. We have to recognize the battle that is at hand, and we have to recognize what is at stake. The leader is Jesus Christ, the battle is against the Devil himself, who has infiltrated even to our own hearts, and what is at stake is all the souls entrusted to our care as fathers of families, in whatever form.
God didn't give us men wild hearts to be stumbling blocks for us. He didn't give us wild hearts so that we could suppress them. He gave us wild hearts so that we could fight for him and live like Him.
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LibraryThing member deldevries
ok at best, with some good stories
LibraryThing member sparkleandchico
Where in the Bible does it really suggest that men should be "Wild at Heart?" living constantly on the edge and taking all kinds of risks and engaging in dangerous activities. Of course this idea will appeal to younger men and new Christians but it is completely the opposite of the Biblical model
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of denying self and taking up the cross to follow Jesus. There's nothing weak or unmanly about that! Show Less
LibraryThing member ACFellowship
Wild At Heart by John Eldridge is a powerful book for men to uncover the wounds inflicted on us and how to overcome them. I've seen a lot of guys healed and made whole from reading this book and even watching the accompanying video...even though the video is really outdated! It's a very easy read
ACF: Todd Nagel, not currently in ACF's library.
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that is easy to discuss but is incredibly insightful.ACF: Todd Nagel, not currently in ACF's library.
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ISBN
1400200393 / 9781400200399
UPC
884834727933