Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul is a book by John Eldredge published in 2001, on the subject of the role of masculinity in contemporary evangelical Christian culture and doctrine.
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| Author | John Eldredge and Brent Curtis |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Thomas Nelson |
Publication date | 2001 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 222 pp |
| ISBN | 0-7852-6694-1 |
| OCLC | 50198630 |
Eldredge claims that men are bored, fear risk, and fail to pay attention to their deepest desires. He challenges Christian men to return to what he characterizes as authentic masculinity. He argues that men often seek validation in venues such as work, or in the conquest of women, and he urges men to take time out and come to grips with the desires of their hearts. Eldredge frames the book around his outdoor experiences and anecdotes about his family and references elements of pop culture such as Braveheart, James Bond, and Indiana Jones, and lyrics from songs.[1][2][3]
Contents
editThis section possibly contains original research. Quotes and summary seems to come from the primary source. (December 2024) |
Movement One: Reflecting God and the Masculine Question
editWild at Heart is split into three sections, called "movements." The first argues that every aspect of a man, from his desires to who he is as a man, reflects God. Eldredge argues that the reason a man has the desires that he does and the reason why he is masculine is because he is, ultimately, an image-bearer of God.[4] Eldredge asserts that all man carry a deep question that is uniquely a masculine question: "Do I have what it takes?"
Movement Two: The Poser, the Wound, and the Healing
editIn the second movement, Eldredge asserts that all men carry a wound that hits men in the area of their deep question. He asserts that all men create a false self by which they display themselves to the world at large.[2] This false self, or identity, feigns strength and courage while hiding cowardice and fear. Eldredge calls this false self The Poser. Eldredge says that when men are wounded in they typically go to two extremes or some combination of the two: angry men or passive men. "Look around our churches and ask, 'What is the typical Christian man like?' The answer is usually bored, angry, or passive." The first and deepest wound for most men, according to Eldredge, comes by way of their father.
Eldredge says that the answer to a man's question and the healing of their wound can only be found in Jesus. Eldredge describes the journey of healing and restoration that God wants to take every man on so that they can begin to live life the way he intended for them: freely, and from their regenerated masculine heart.[2]
Movement Three: The Core Desires of a Man's Heart
editAccording to Eldredge, men have three core desires: battle, adventure, beauty.
The first desire is for a "battle to fight." Eldredge says that deep in the heart of every man is a warrior.[1] He rejects the notion that men are crass, abusive, and violent. But what he does push for is a "fierceness" and "courage" that is the heart of a warrior--the ability to stand and fight for something. Eldredge says that for a man to be complete he must be fighting for something.
The second desire is for an "adventure to live." Eldredge points to the desire that most men have for exploration, creativity, and risk-taking as uniquely masculine and a reflection of the heart of God.[1][5] A man wants to be taken on a grand adventure and this is the invitation of the Gospel, Eldredge says. He points to many figures in Scripture such as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and David who, when partnered with the call and will of God, were called on spectacular adventures.
The third desire is for a "beauty to rescue."[1] Eldredge does not advocate male superiority or attempt to teach that women want or need to be subjugated by men. He points to the damsel in distress trope in popular storytelling, where a beautiful woman needs rescuing in some fashion, whether it is from a dragon or a wicked stepmother or from fear and hopelessness.[4] He argues that, like men, women have three core desires also, but a man cannot answer her question. Eldredge moves beyond the notion that the Beauty equals a woman. Beauty can be found in nature, music, story, art, and ultimately in relationship with God. According to Eldredge, a man must become a "poet" in this regard--enjoying beauty outside of a woman--before he pursues a woman.
Along the way, Eldredge reminds his readers that only God can fulfill these three desires and the only reason a man has these three desires is because they are a reflection of the heart of God. Everything in Wild At Heart points to God as the center for life, fulfillment, and purpose, according to Eldredge.
Reception
editChuck Swindoll, a radio evangelical pastor, called it "the best, most insightful book I have read in at least the last five years."[1]
Eldredge's work has its detractors.[4] Some have pointed out that the leader of the "pseudo-evangelical" cult and criminal organization La Familia cartel in Mexico, who refer to their assassinations and beheadings as '"divine justice", has made Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart required reading for La Familia gang members and has paid rural teachers and National Development Education members to circulate Eldredge's writings throughout the Michoacán countryside.[6][7][8]
Related works
editIn 2005 Eldredge with his wife Stasi wrote Captivating, a companion to Wild at Heart, which explores femininity.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Camery-Hoggatt, Brynn; Munn, Nealson (30 October 2005). ""Wild at Heart:" Essential Reading or "Junk Food of the Soul"?". Priscilla Papers. 19 (4). Archived from the original on 28 Sep 2022.
- ^ a b c Wingerd, Daryl (9 April 2010). "A Critical Review of John Eldredge's Wild at Heart". Christian Communicators Worldwide. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Challies, Tim (3 June 2004). "Book Review – Wild At Heart". Challies.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b c d Duncan, Philip (31 January 2017). "Nurturing Voyeurism, Vibrant Sexism, and Violence: Why We Can't (Yet) Afford to Forget about Wild at Heart". Priscilla Papers. 31 (1).
- ^ LeBlanc, Douglas (1 August 2004). "Wildheart". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Grayson, George W. (August 2009). "La Familia Michoacána: A Deadly Mexican Cartel Revisited". Foreign Policy Research Institute. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ Isikoff, Michael (October 22, 2009). "Feds Crack Down on 'Robin Hood' Drug Cartel". Newsweek 'Declassified'. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ "Eldredge Denounces Drug Cartel". Christianity Today. June 29, 2010. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
External links
edit- Wild at Heart website
- Wild at Heart at publisher Thomas Nelson's website
- Byron Borger's critique at Hearts & Minds Books
- Rut Etheridge's Critique of Wild at Heart
- Is God Wild at Heart? Critical Review of Wild at Heart from the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
- An article at Christianity Today documenting some criticism of the book