Product Description

The worship song "Above All," performed by Michael W. Smith, went quickly from its #1 spot on radio playlists to a cherished place in hearts, homes, and worship services everywhere. Now the words that millions have been singing will bear fresh fruit as one of Christianity's most insightful and trusted authors personalizes the biblical truths in each phrase of the song.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #902281 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-18
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The popular Christian song of the title gets fleshed out via personal anecdote and scriptural quotation in this slim character study of Jesus by the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. Manning, who first experienced transcendence when he was a young Marine, didn't like "chanting psalms in Latin with pantywaist eighteen-year-old postulates" during his seven days of seminary school. But on a last-minute trip around the Stations of the Cross, he says, he heard "a word that is my real name in the mind of God, a name spoken with indescribable tenderness and written on the white stone (Revelation 2:17)." He still left the seminary, but the faith Manning came to feel was a passionate, righteous one. Jesus, Manning says, "sets us free from fear of the Father and dislike of ourselves," shows us how to have "sovereign respect for people's dignity" and "brought a nonviolent revolution." Satan, on the other hand, "seduces us into dwelling on our past sins and stirs the pot of self-hatred." The song lyrics sprinkled without may have inspired this book, but its raison d'etre is Manning's vociferous and motivating cry to his fellow Christians to acknowledge the miracle that is the risen Jesus, to let themselves be loved by him and to let him "run wild in their lives."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Brennan Manning is the author of 10 books, including the bestsellers The Ragamuffin Gospel and Abba's Child. He leads spiritual retreats in the United States and Europe for people of all ages and backgrounds. He and his family live in New Orleans.

Customer Reviews

Above All
I am very sorry to give this book 1 star.I would have preferred not to give any.As I was given this book I was very much looking forward to reading it.Unfortunately I was terribly disappointed.I think this book could be sold as a reference book for adjectives concerning Jesus.B.Menning mentions that people can get helped by Jesus in different situations,but does not go any deeper into it than that.
I find it very difficult to believe that this book and its writer are as popular as I read on this website.

ALL is Good With Latest from Brennan Manning
I found 'Above All' a wonderful read, and perfect in length. A rather short read and amazing personal insights from Manning to the reader. To reach the point as to where Brennan is in faithfulness with Abba and his will to spread it as he sees it is unique and powerful! I think I'll re-read it again ... and again ....

Should've been longer....and needed some editing.
Right now, Brennan is one of my favorite authors, so even though this book sounded a little skeptical, I had to have it. I was a little disappointed to realize there were so many blank pages with like three words on each page and some pictures and stuff. There was probably only about 75 pages of real reading and that, was double-spaced.

For those pages, it was good, however, I'd recommend "Ragamuffin" or "Ruthless Trust" or his new "A Glimpse of Jesus" before reading this one if you want the full Brennan experience. There are several typos in the book which distracted me because I felt more like I was an editor rather than an avid reader. That normally shouldn't be in published books, right?

However, there were a few words that touched my soul and made me think hard about the crucified Christ. For that alone, I can't allow typos or few words on pages to hold me back from giving it an average rating, but sadly, this is the lowest rating I've ever given a book by Brennan.