A Barbaric Faith
with Erwin McManus
"Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice,
and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword;
whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful
in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their
dead, raised to life again." (Hebrews 11:33-35)
When Erwin McManus came to Christ as a college student, a deep fire ignited in his soul. The spiritual passion infused in this man thrust him into what he calls a “dangerous faith, full of mystery and void of civilized and sanitized Christianity.”
As James interviewed this young pastor and innovator on Life Today, it was obvious that they share the same passion. Both men wholeheartedly embrace the cause of Christ. Their freedom and security in Christ move them forward with vitality to reconnect lost humanity to Jesus.
McManus is concerned that Christianity has moved from a tribe of renegades to a religion of conformity. In his book, The Barbarian Way, he explores the untamed, primal faith of biblical characters like John the Baptist, Peter, and King David.
This “barbarism” is not about violence fueled by vengeance and hatred, but love expressed through sacrifice and servanthood. It can only be found by those who have the heart of God, listening to the voice of the Spirit. They see the invisible and hear the inaudible because their souls are made alive by the presence of Jesus.
“You, James Robison are a true barbarian,” McManus announced before out live studio audience.
James smiled and asked, “Tell us more about the ‘barbarian way.’ “
“It is about love, intimacy, passion and sacrifice,” McManus said. “A barbarian loves to live and lives to love.”
James leaned back, let out a joyful laugh, and announced, “I agree one hundred percent. I am a barbarian!”
“Walking in faith is a risky business,” McManus continued, “God wants to do a deeper work in and through us in the process. Jesus said that he was sending his disciples out, ‘like sheep amidst wolves.’ He advised them to be ‘shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.’” (Matthew 10:10)
In his book, he shows how Jesus instigated an uprising that He expected to reach the very ends of the earth. The uprising was to transcend culture, ethnicity, race, religion, and status--every divide established by mankind. The driving purpose of Jesus’ barbarian revolt is to liberate every person who longs to find freedom in God. The body of Christ has been given the commission to boldly finish what He started.
McManus feels that parents should not just tell their children to act like Christians. He and his wife believe they must shape their children’s character and unique personalities internally with the word of God and teach them to hear God’s voice and follow Him passionately.
“[Christians] have domesticated the God-inflamed dreams of young believers,” McManus said, “and now we must lay down our lives, our children, our churches, and the entire body of Christ at the feet of Jesus and say, ‘Look, I know you’re going to give us dreams that make the rest of us uncomfortable.’ We need to allow God to fuel those dreams and let what happens happen.”
Betty was inspired by what he shared and pointed out that it is not too late for any of us to have our dreams rekindled.
McManus responded, “I keep trying to tell people, you can change diapers and change the world at the same time. I believe that we can’t claim to know Christ and to honor Him if we refuse the path He calls us to follow. Jesus leads us into the heart of the dark kingdom, into the soul of what is most evil. He takes us where mankind has chosen to live. If you choose to follow the One whose barbarian path led Him to the brutality of the Cross, and if you embrace His invitation to take up your own cross and follow Him, then it has begun. You will have chosen the barbarian way out of civilization.”
This week
Don’t violate your uniqueness, but move together with other passionate believers who are united in heart and spirit. Our greatness is unleashed in the context of community. Move forward filled with the compassion of Christ.
Prayer
“Lord, I want to shed my doubts and fears and embrace Jesus’ sacrifice for my freedom. Guide me into living the raw and untamed faith as I go where you send me.”
Erwin Raphael McManus serves as lead pastor of six churches in Los Angeles, California. As the founder of Awaken, McManus consults in areas of culture, leadership, and creativity.
His books include The Barbarian Way (Thomas Nelson), Uprising, The Uprising Experience, Seizing Your Divine Moment and An Unstoppable Force. Resources: ErwinMcManus.com, OriginsProject.com, Mosaic.org
