The Book and its Topic
Reviewing Erwin’s books is hard work. The Barbarian Way is no exception. I mean, this guy is being used by God. God works so hard through him, it amazes me. And that leaves me with a dilemma. As I write reviews of his books, how do I stay objective?
The truth is The Barbarian Way deserves a high recommendation. It shouts the message that I have in my heart about our modern, civilized Christianity so hard, that reading it was an absolute revelation to me. I couldn't believe that someone as influential as Erwin actually agrees with me.
Sometimes when you read a book that is very good, it is a challenge not to jump on the bandwagon and go around telling people that they need to read only one book on top of their Bible, and that is the one you have just read. That's not good. It is all just part of a necessary ongoing conversation. However, when coming across such a critical message it is important is that we sit up and listen. Then we need to go and apply what we have learned.
In The Barbarian Way, Erwin says that the modern Christian faith is smooth, trouble-free and that there is not much risk involved. Lots of opportunities, little risk. However, people that are close to God’s heart, like John the Baptist, could be described as barbarians. Such people embrace risk and refuse to be civilized. They have only one passion – that each of us might have a relationship with Jesus.
Barbarians are keen to fight for Jesus, their King. But note, they do not fight like unsaved humans fight against other humans. They fight with love, intimacy, passion and sacrifice. Erwin also reminds us that prayer is not about talking to God as almost every religion in the world believes. We need to hear from God as well. Barbarians take their orders from one Master only, and only He can show you The Barbarian Way.
One of the mistakes Christians make today, is that they believe they will be safe if they just stay inside God’s will. Erwin challenges this theory and asks the question of whether God might not maybe intentionally put us in harms way. Look at the fate of His 12 apostles. Their lives were filled with adventure, but they had to endure hardship. Their deaths were mostly brutal, inhumane deaths. The same applies to Paul.
God wants your life to count in the bigger scheme of things. He wants your life to make an impact. Often short lives with lots of hardship makes a huge impact. Think of Jesus and (again) John the Baptist. The Son of God crucified and His predecessor beheaded. Yet 2000 years later their lives are still having a distinct impact.
Stephen only gave one sermon! Yet 2000 years later here I sit at the Southernmost tip of Africa, writing about him on the internet. That is a short life with a long-term impact.
We have been set free from the fear of death. We should start risking everything for God. Erwin asks “Rather than living a long life, are you willing to live a life worth living?” There is only one way you can truly live and experience what it means to be fully alive. This is the way of the barbarian: walking on that road filled with adventure, uncertainty and unlimited possibilities. Walking with Jesus.
As the cover of The Barbarian Way states, we need to ‘Unleash the Untamed Faith Within.’
BookDisciple Power Quote
“God’s ultimate end for our transformation is to unleash the untamed faith within. When His Spirit is poured into our lives, we are inspired to an extraordinary level of living. Barbarians never exist simply to survive. Barbarians never just get through the day. Barbarians wake to live and live life fully awake. To be filled with the Spirit of God is to be filled with dreams and visions that are too compelling to ignore. Live or die, succeed or fail, barbarians must pursue and attempt such dreams and visions. The barbarian spirit dreams great dreams and find the courage to live them.
The barbarian call confronts us with all we love and all we fear. We resist love to avoid pain and squelch our dreams out of fear of failure. For the Spirit of God to unleash dreams and visions within our souls, we must become free to risk and to fail.” - The Barbarian Way, P.100.
So, how does it read?
They say big poison comes in small packages. Here’s the proof. The Barbarian Way is not a thick book. It is an easy read. Most of Erwin’s books are heavier. At about 150 pages and being small in size, you should be able to read it comfortably in one week (even while working full time).
My copy is a hardback. I wish they would publish it in a paperback version as well. I like reading with one hand, and that is easier with a paperback...
What did this book mean to me personally?
I have been exposed to this message before reading this book. My life changed after I heard Erwin speak at a conference in South Africa. Still...
This is the book that describes how I want to live for Jesus. I want to go around dreaming big dreams. I want to build up courage and try living those dreams, not worrying about success or failure. I want to do great exploits for my Lord. To those around me, I want to sometimes look insane. I want to be a barbarian.
The other part of this equation is fear. Rather than living without fear, I want to learn to manage my fear. How do we deal with fear? We need to be on our knees daily talking and listening, asking for direction, asking for courage. This way our fear becomes our strength.
The Barbarian Way encourages me to live like this. It was a timely reminder of the life I am trying to live, and challenges me not to become civilized! Pure inspiration...
Conclusion
We need to stop being civilized. We should stop hiding in our large safe church buildings. We are at war. “To be born of God is to be made a citizen of the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is at war” (p.108). We are called to be salt and light to the earth. We need to be in the dangerous and dark places to make a difference.
Jesus spent time with sinners, yet did not sin. He worked with those who were hurting, the poor, the sick and the dirty people of this world. We should stop protecting ourselves from these people (and their diseases!), and start living with them and for them. We fight with love!
If you are not living like this, you should read The Barbarian Way. It is essential to all Christians.
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