A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred [Hardcover]

Brennan Manning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2003

Following his work on the unconditional love of God in "The Wisdom of Tenderness, " bestselling Christian writer Brennan Manning now turns to the life and work of Jesus to find an answer to what he believes is the most pressing spiritual problem of our age: self-hatred. The damage caused by this problem is immense. We project it onto God, believing God could never love us because we are unlovable, or we expect an unattainable perfection of ourselves and are left drowning in shame. But Manning warns us that we can't look to ourselves if we want to understand God's love: "The Love of the Father for his children plunges us into mystery, because it is utterly beyond the pale of human experience."

The answer to the problem of self-hatred is better understood when we look to the life of Jesus to illuminate the mystery of God's love and compassion. Manning shows us that our persistent self-hatred is rooted in a "script" founded in a faulty understanding of the nature of divine love and a lack of clear understanding of the person and message of Jesus. "In the eyes of the Master whom we have failed, we detect the infinite compassion of the Father and see revealed, in Jesus, the human face of God," he writes. In bringing us a clearer glimpse of Jesus, he helps us to rewrite this script of self-hatred by patterning our lives after the examples of Jesus on earth: his healing work, stories of deliverance, liberating prayer, integrity of self-acceptance, and all-encompassing compassion. Manning also takes us beyond the personal predicament of self-hatred, asking, "What would the church be like if we erred from an excess of compassion rather than from a stingy and legalistic lack of it?"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Self-hatred, low self-esteem, unhealthy guilt and self-pity, according to the author, pose the single largest obstacles in today's world to discovering the love of God in Jesus. In this compelling sequel to The Wisdom of Tenderness, former Franciscan priest Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel) offers insights into ways that Christians can overcome self-hatred, accept themselves for who they are, and recognize that Jesus loves and values them. According to Manning, the church perpetuates feelings of unworthiness by projecting onto God the image of a punishing father who does not love his children. In addition, by requiring a perfect obedience to the letter of the moral law, the church forms people into Christians who internalize failure and despise themselves when they cannot live up to the church's high moral standards. This self-hatred can be overcome, Manning writes, by a glimpse of Jesus, the "Savior of boundless compassion, unbearable forgiveness, infinite patience and healing love." Such a glimpse of Jesus comes through prayer and silent meditation. Once Christians realize that Jesus accepts them for themselves, they are liberated from self-hatred and are free to love others with the same compassion God has shown them. Manning sharply criticizes evangelists, preachers and priests who induce feelings of self-hatred, and urges Christians to cast their eyes upon Jesus, embracing his love and acceptance. Manning's book offers a radical portrait of discipleship for the modern church.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Christianity teaches us to hate ourselves, Manning says. He illustrates the point by citing examples of how the religion contributes to a legalistic concept of morality that endows God with the human attributes of vengeance and rejection. Consequently, God has become "an exacting lawgiver, a stern taskmaster," and "the force of the gospel message [is] distorted into something basically threatening." The former Franciscan uses Bible stories to demonstrate Jesus' compassion and how loving God really is versus how we have come to perceive him. Manning asks, "What would the church be like if we erred from an excess of compassion rather than from a stingy and legalistic lack of it?" One outcome, he says, would be more people in church. We cannot, however, be compassionate toward others until we are compassionate toward ourselves. Manning does a good job of pointing Christians in the right direction by giving a glimpse of Jesus' love. But he acknowledges that a glimpse is merely a beginning, one's first step in doing the hard work of compassion by oneself. Donna Chavez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (January 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060000694
• ISBN-13: 978-0060000691
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brennan Manning is a writer and speaker who leads spiritual retreats for people of all ages and backgrounds. He is the author of more than ten books, including Abba's Child , Ruthless Trust , The Ragamuffin Gospel , and Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes. A resident of New Orleans, he travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad to share the good news of the unconditional love of God.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SEARING!, March 11, 2003

By 

Jason Chua (singapore, singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred (Hardcover)

I read half of this book in less than an hour, seated at BORDERS. I was absolutely mesmerized by the passion, the honesty, and the integrity of the author. I was at times gripped by compassion, at times almost brought to tears, at times feeling myself smiling broadly, all this because the book is written from the heart, straight to the heart.

Brennan Manning addresses the issues of legalism, religion, and the need for the real love of Christ without holding back any punches. He shows himself as an unashamed, unapologetic defender of the truth, and of all who are downtrodden, alienated and sickened by the self-righteous, law-toting wing of present Christianity. He is fearless in his articulation, bold in his assertions, and deeply, tearfully compassionate in his appeals, so he wins the heart of this here ragamuffin Christian!

His protrayal of Jesus will melt your heart. He supplements his own views with great quotes from many notable Christians, bulking up the integrity of this book.

All in all, this is Brennan Manning at his fieriest best, but it is a fire that stands in defense for all who feel a deep need for a true sense of God's love and who aren't receiving it from the church at large. This is one of the best books on the person of Jesus Christ, as it delves deep into His heart.

If you have been hurt by the church and by legalistic Christianity, then this is a book that will bring healing to your soul. Be assured, this isn't a mushy book on God's love. It is not fluff. It is a strong, clear, articulate presentation of the love of Christ and a passionate argument for the revealing of the true heart of Jesus at the same time. Take along tissue; you may laugh and cry all at once reading this!

Enjoy!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dazzling glimpse that feels like so much more...., March 17, 2003

By 

Neville G. Kiser "NGK" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred (Hardcover)

Brennan Manning once again captures the wonder of his reader through humility, compassion and grace with his most thoroughly satisfying book since "Ruthless Trust." "A Glimpse of Jesus" is nothing more than just that, as Manning mentions in his introduction, but what a wonderful glimpse it turns out to be.

Being an avid Manning fan, I liked this book better than "The Wisdom of Tenderness" because it seemed to break free and stood alone, while "Tenderness" seemed to borrow to heavily from his past three wonderful books "Ruthless Trust," "Abba's Child" and his ever-famous "Ragamuffin Gospel." Thankfully, "Glimpse" brings Manning back to focus, with an undeniably powerful focus on Jesus: the "stranger to self-hatred."

At only approximently 141 pages, the book will read fast and will, if nothing else, show you a side of Jesus that many people refuse to see. I recommend this book highly! It's easly one of the best books I've read in awhile. But it's Manning, so it's no surprise.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, February 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred (Hardcover)

This was the right time in my life to pick up this book. I'm just beginning recovery from alcoholism. My sponsor says that "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." And I consider Brennan now one of those special teachers in my life. He speaks from his heart presenting an intimate God who always loves us as we are and seeks to be in fellowship with us. I've never been a very "spiritual" person, but this book has helped to start me on a journey of relationship with God.

The writing is eloquent and personal but not pretentious or boastful. Manning utilizes dozens of images and depictions of Jesus without being preachy or exegetical. He's not concerned with a particular Christological argument or with proving any points. Instead, he helps the reader to join him in considering the awesomeness of God's love and how God can remove our fears, heal our old wounds, and enable us to forgive ourselves. For me right now these are life and death issues, and I'm grateful for this book's guidance.