A biography of Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning was born and brought up in New York City, in Brooklyn. He is known for many things, including as a published author, a Franciscan priest and a teacher for contemplative prayer. He has also been a supporter of the Emerging Church (Emergent Church) movement. Most famous among his many writings is The Ragamuffin Gospel.

Personal life

After two years at a University in Queens, New York, Manning signed up with the marines and got shipped off to Korea. After he returned, Manning tried out a journalism program, but that didn't go anywhere. In 1963, he became a Franciscan Priest after graduating from a Catholic seminary in Pennsylvania. Afterwards, he travelled extensively and tried his hand at a lot of things. He carried water on a donkey in villages, worked as assistant to a mason in Spain and as a dish-washer in France. He even spent time in a Swiss jail as a voluntary prisoner and six months inside a desert cave.

Writings

He started a utilitarian community in Alabama and a Ministry in Florida, before ending up as an alcoholic. After getting treatment, Brennan Manning started writing and preaching extensively. He has to his name now over 17 publications, including the Ragamuffin Gospel.

The Ragamuffin Gospel

The Ragamuffin Gospel, first published in 1990, talks about God's grace. Specifically, Manning argues that the real meaning of God's grace is lost on a society which merely seeks out ways to please God. The fact that Richard Mullins was inspired enough to name his musical band after the book, gave it a lot more fame than it would have had otherwise.

Spirituality

Contemplative prayer is one of the practices that have gained steam under the Emerging Church movement. Manning himself is a very enthusiastic supporter of this form of Contemplative spirituality. The basic concept is to start with a 'centering prayer' by focusing on one word and repeating it until the mind gets cleared of everything else. This is supposed to open up the mind to God's voice. The practitioner then sits still and attempts to feel God's presence and get some divine guidance. He says that he has had such an experience, when he spent six months in the desert cave. Brennan Manning says that he learnt on a winter night in the isolated cave, that once you have known the love of Jesus Christ, nothing is as desirable or beautiful in this world.