Unleashed by Erwin McManus describes what the author refers to as “the Barbarian Way” of living out our faith in Jesus.  Like many books being written today, it is an attempt to declare that Christianity has become too civilized.  He reminds us that risk and sacrifice are an essential part of faith in Jesus and that comfort and security should not be our primary purpose or focus.  In his words, “We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God’s optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing.”  Using examples from the early church and his own experiences, McManus demonstrates that this is not what Jesus intended for his followers.  His answer to what is missing in the lives of believers is to embrace the “barbarian way”, which begins in the hearts of individual believers and inspires others to reach out and risk connecting with a lost and unbelieving world.  “Our goal must not be to populate the Christian religion but to bring people into a genuine relationship with God.”  I would recommend this book as a helpful reminder of the cost of discipleship and a call to join the adventure that Jesus has in store for those who are daring enough to follow Him.

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