Amazing book! McManus minces no words here. After reading this book, I wanted to jump. It is humbling and inspiring at the same time; opening our eyes to the way we like to be "safe" in the church as opposed to bold. ( )

Rhis small book "The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith within" is heavier in its content than in its size of its pages. I have read a number of McManus’ books in the past and the one that had that had the greatest impact and a message I believe the people of God need to hear is this book.

Erwin throws down the gauntlet and challenges Christ followers to abandon their safe, domesticated, and civilized faith to live the way Christ called his followers to live. McManus titles this manner of spending one’s life for Christ, the barbarian way.

McManus says to be barbaric is whenever you choose to live a faith of faith even when it takes you in a world of uncertainty. When this type of faith is unleashed it sometimes leads us into places of danger and also brings undesired disruptions in our life. He gives biblical life examples of how the followers of Jesus lived on the edge yet always trusting in their Lord. One he mention was the story of John the Baptist sending word to Jesus while in prison, and when Jesus did not save John from prison or death. McManus says, “Actually, God’s will for us is less about our comfort than it is about our contribution. 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.”

The author points out that Jesus did not endure death on the cross just so that we would be nice people who behave themselves. McManus says, “The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go.” Oh how domesticated Christians are far too easily pleased and willing to avoid the battle for the soul of the world. McManus instead emphasizes in this book how Jesus calls us to a different way of wild and untamed Christianity as described of the Christ followers in Acts 17:6 “These men who have turned the world upside down.”

This book is a fire starter which I highly recommend to anyone looking to grow in their passion or find a passion for the Gospel. I have read a vast number of books in my time this is on my list of some of the best I have enjoyed reading. ( )

I will never forget the moment I completed the first chapter of this book. I was sitting in my truck waiting on my son to get out of pre-school. Something within the text struck deep at the core of my soul, and I wept.

This is one of the two books that I required my Renovating Life students to read. It challenges you to be bold and to fight for the heart of your king. Your potential is limitless when you join God where He is working. 160 pages ( )

McManus issues a challenge to live the christian life on the edge, full throttle, and with all one's heart. According to him, many believers settle for a domesticated, civilized and polite faith that offends no one and accomplishes nothing. The life of faith should be exactly that, full of unbridled passion in spite of unknown dangers and powerful conflicts. For a pulpit to print book, it is a quick read that leave the application to reader. Because there are many books that call believers to radical discipleship, I did not find much new apart from the "barbarian" terminology and imagery. ( )

I honestly wish I could say that I loved this book. I had heard from friends in the States and abroad that this book would dramatically change my way of living for Christ, but sadly, it didn't. For me, the book was far too abstract and didn't give any hardcore examples of what living like a barbarian really looked like. In addition to that, I didn't particularly appreciate the "holier than thou due to my barbaric ways" tone of McManus, although I highly doubt it was his intention. ( )