Building Brothers believes that the primary reasons for this crisis within the church are: There are very few viable models for men to follow.Churches are not considered as a [url=http://www.buildingbrothers.org/site3/main.asp?PG=00&Sub=04&Q=Masculine]masculine (safe) place for men.[/url]Churches need to build a [url=http://www.buildingbrothers.org/site3/main.asp?PG=00&Sub=04&Q=CoreLeadership]leadership core[/url] of men that the rest of the men can trust.There is little expression of male identity within the church.http://www.buildingbrothers.org/site3/main.asp?PG=01&Sub=00
It should also be noted that Eldridge's book of being a manly man is looked at through the lense of the upper-middle class yuppie type. He's a prisoner of his cubical, thus, needs a William Wallace like experience to live through.
_________________Mike Compton
Concerning John Eldredge: Rather than respond to any particular post I thought it necessary to respond in general to the misgivings about this man's work. Have those that oppose his books been in depth with his teachings? What I am hearing consistantly among this thread as well as another blog I read today are misrepresentations that could only be made by skimming over or hearing someone else's take, but certainly not delving into what is being taught (it would seem). If you have read in depth lets discuss it, because I am well acquainted with his work also. I would be delighted to do so. Not since the Lord used Watchman Nee's "The Spiritual Man" and some of Jessie Penn-Lewis' work have I come to see so much of what the enemy does in attacking the saints. Eldredge has accurately identified subtle tactics evil spirits use daily against us (mostly in "Waking the Dead", but also in "Sacred Romance".I don't think I've ever read anyone that understands and explains so well the unfaithfulness in our lives. Look at how full the OT is with charges against Israel for their harlotries. The Lord taught me in my own life concerning a verse in Isaiah (don't know where right now) The Lord charged Israel with finding her strength again. They would leave Him, so He would deal with them and wait for their strength to fail (like our old man) but she found strength renewed in her adulteries. I saw this in me. The Lord would chastise me, I would grow weaker and thirsty for Him...on my way back to being single minded and full of light, but then an old "lover" would come around and my Adamic strength would be renewed. A lover might be food, football, people, an emotion...anything you go to to find comfort and strength except Jesus. I'm sorry if I'm not making sense. Have I been clear enough to be understood a little? One other example is in "Journey of Desire". I have been most recently going down a path the Lord is changing me concerning my hope and my real home. I did not realize how much I'm trying to find my life here in experiences, vacations, days off, etc... "You are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" ...I'm gaining a reality of this truth in daily life now. John deals with this a great deal in this book.I will not make this any longer, but there is so, so much that God is revealing to His people through this man. When I picked up "Wild at Heart" as I held it I felt the presence of the Lord and I knew I needed to read it. It broke up ground in my heart and revealed a terrible wound that has constantly undermined my walk with God. John Wesley admitted not being able to reach certain people in his congregation, people like me. Eldredge has and is. I thank God for him.
_________________Randy Lambert
When I picked up "Wild at Heart" as I held it I felt the presence of the Lord and I knew I needed to read it
Thank you Compton, You have blessed me tremendously. I believe Andrew Murray was right when he said that "humility is the glory of man". What a beautiful garment it is that compells me to worship the Worthy Lord to Whom we delight in bowing to. I will pray for you (I also need your prayers).