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Health & Fitness

Beautiful Outlaw

I received an advance copy of John Eldredge's newest book, "Beautiful Outlaw." Here is my review.

John Eldredge has authored several books, one of which is a New York Times best-seller, "Wild At Heart." His newest book, "Beautiful Outlaw," does exactly what the book’s tag line boasts. Experiencing the playful, disruptive, extravagant personality of Jesus.

Eldredge has written several books dealing with Jesus, but none so in depth as this. "Wild At Heart" delved into how Jesus demonstrated what true masculinity looks like. In "Beautiful Outlaw," he goes deeper.

The chapter names give away what the content is about: "Fierce Intention," "Extravagant Generosity," "Disruptive Honesty," "Cunning," "Humility," "Trueness" and "Beautiful."

That’s only seven of the 17 chapters. Each reads like a rich, delicious food. You don’t want to go too fast. You want to take it slow and savor each bit. You feel as if you are experiencing a richness you never knew was possible.

I admit, I’m a big John Eldredge fan. If you are too, then you will really enjoy how he continues with his teaching style of hitting hard on tough subjects then pausing, allowing for the message to sink in.   

In the fifth chapter, "The Most Human Face of All," he writes, “The ravages of sin, neglect, abuse, and a thousand addictions have left us all a shadow of what we were meant to be. Jesus is humanity in its truest form. His favorite title for himself was the Son of Man. Not of God--of man.”

For me, this helped answer the question I have asked for years, “Why does Jesus refer himself as the Son of Man?” I have heard various different answers over the years and none have felt so genuine nor as true as this one.

Some modern Christians look upon Eldredge’s work with trepidation. I understand. What he covers seems a bit heretical. But that’s the point. He wants everyone to see Jesus as we should really see him, without the religious veil that can cover our eyes, mind and heart.

Isn’t that what Jesus called the Israelites to do when he walked as a man on the Earth? Didn’t he challenge the status quo? Eldredge simply reminds us that it is all right to do the same today. As a matter of fact, if we feel like we are being held to the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law, that’s exactly what we are expected to do!

I have looked forward to this book for quite some time when I heard it was coming out several months ago. I am not disappointed. Not at all. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has a sincere desire to know more about Jesus. It is simply phenomenal.

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