Abba's Child Review

I have decided to write  a short personal review for select books that I read and post them for the purpose of expounding various thoughts I have while reading the text, and also to share my opinion on the writing itself.

Book: Abba's Child
Author: Brennan Manning, published 1994, 2002
ISBN: 978-1-57683-334-6

 The published purpose of the book is the following: "I began witting Abba's Child with one purpose in mind- to recover the passion the fired my desire to enter the seminary and seek ordination to the priesthood. In the process I discovered that all I wanted from the years of silence and study was to fall in love with God." -Manning.




The book genre is non-fiction, religious.

When I began reading Abba's Child I had low expectations, but for no other reason than I figured Manning couldn't possibly write book with superior content to the several other literary works of his that I have read. The truth is I could not have been more wrong. I was amazed to find a fresh perspective to common issues of the identity of humanity and of Jesus. The last half of the book kept me glued to the pages.

The intended audience seems to be the comprehension of level high school age and up; people seeking to learn more about how they function in relation to the bible and to the life of Jesus.

The author's style stays true to formal diction but is conversational enough to be informally understood. I feel the material is related to easily, full of impact, and helpful. The main points of the book were fluid and coherent. The material suits the intended audience well.

I was personally effected by the book in several ways. The author writes about an impostor that dwells within each one of us that is characterized by judgmental ways, and insecurity. He continues by identifying the cure to this impostor to be found in knowing our identity as abba's child. If you would like me to expound on this concept contact me via comment or email and I would be happy to, but I don't want to give it all away. The idea that really impacted me is the idea that Jesus IS God incarnate. The way he conducted himself with people, and the things he did were a direct reflection of how God feels about us. That is something I myself, and I think a lot of us have always known, but I had never realized the significance that concept has on my perception of God. To know that the God that led his people out of Egypt, who flooded the earth, and who created this earth is the same God that will eat dinner with tax collectors, will forgive and affirm the prostitute, and who teaches that if someone forces you to go one mile with them, go two miles with them..is the SAME God is incredible.

I highly recommend this book no matter your religious orientation. It is a good source of self reflection and a humble, genuine approach to recognizing and supplementing the negative elements of ourselves. The book is a breath of fresh air in its genre, and offers a close intimate perspective of the Jesus of the bible.