Wild at Heart: Discovering The Secret of a Man's Soul Hardcover – April 3, 2001

I am not surprised there was a lot of negative feedback on the topics expressed in this little book. In these times it is no longer valid to use gender to explain why you may like or dislike certain things. This book is not meant only for the jock, or the outdoorsman. It is meant for the heart that yearns to find ways to express a passion that may seem wrong for a Christian man, and that's really it.There are many opinions on how we should behave, or more recently that we do not behave as men have in the past. It is true we are meant to be adventurous and a bit wild but that is a different thing for each man, not a template- the author was simply expressing it as he himself saw it. It is up to you to find your passion, your wild side, and break free of the life you may mistakenly think is correct as a follower of the Way of God. But there are many different paths, as long as we stay on that straight and narrow one, neither turning to the left or the right- being obedient, faithful. I would say if it doesn't trouble your spirit, go for it! The only opinion that matters is Gods, not mans.I myself do many things that aren't considered manly yet also do things that are over the top! For example, I write poetry, rescue ladybugs, read about decorating and color and style, and tear up over emotional things- I am sentimental, and I try to show empathy to others at all times. I also carry a concealed firearm, practice Tang Soo Do and Krav Maga, and regularly work out with weaponry such as knives and sticks- and I am trying to learn Iado, the Way of drawing and cutting with the katana. I love long walks, but I don't watch sports, and can't tell you anything about any team. I don't bunjee dive or shoot down the rapids or any of that, but I see it as valid. Again, if it doesn't become the end in itself it is all up to that old thing we used to call conviction- the Holy Spirit will tell you it isn't something you should do. It isn't nerds vs. jocks, or the cultured, educated man vs the uneducated manual laborer. (I work in a factory, and that is because I chose to work with my hands after spending half my life working in the Mental Health field.) We are all part of the body- and scripture says no particular part is favored above the other. So embrace your inner wild man and push your boundaries a little bit! For some of us it isn't much or very daring, but it is enough to inspire the soul.

If you want to write a book about what you feel to be true, that's one thing, but when you bend, distort and flat out lie about what the Word of God says to back your belief, well then expect to be judged by God's Word.If that's the case this book is heretical at best.It seems like throughout this book the author is trying too hard to make up for some lack of machismo he thinks he needs.I actually watched one of the Wild at Heart Bootcamp sessions where John Eldredge makes fun of Mister Rogers and insinuates Fred Rogers is not a "real" man.So in this book and others authored by Eldredge, he sets out to show what a "real man" he is by climbing mountains, hunting bear, tracking elk, blah, blah, blah.....Like any good poker player knows, you always portray just the opposite of what you are.Read 'em and weep:)

A book and a message that changed my life years ago. It's been sad to read "christians" tear down this message, trying to hyper-critique the ways John shares stories from the Bible or how he speaks to men. Men all over the world found freedom to be themselves in their experience and relationship with God, to begin to actually walk with God, hear His voice and know His heart. I know men all over the U.S. who began to rise up to love their wives, find their calling, engage the lives of their kids, and begin to love the life God has given them and live it well! And thousands of families have also experienced so much good because of this.If you're the type that feels it's your god-given duty to scour the texts of books to find all "the errors" and expose "heresy", I'm sure you can (or already have) gleefully torn away at John's message. But, honestly, I ask, "Really? Why not just become an IRS agent instead?" And, I say, "Get a life." Sincerely, I say, go get a life that worth's living! Stop hiding behind your computer or your pulpit or your religious duties or your secret addictions and find the wide open spaces of life!The message of WAH, both in the book and in the retreats Ransomed Heart put on based on this message was an invitation for me to experience God in ways I never thought possible and to experience life in its fullness in ways I never thought possible. And not only was it an invitation, it was permission to finally live my life. Maybe that doesn't make sense to many, but it was a game-changer for me. After returning from a WAH retreat, my wife literally said to me, "What happened? You even look different." My life will never be the same. Nor will the life of my wife and my children.

Author is off-base. Scripture is abused. Follows Open Theism... very dangerous theology. His old employer, Focus on the Family stopped carrying his book because of his unbiblical stand. It's one thing to be liberal with the presentation OF scripture, but quite a bit difference to be liberal in WHAT scripture actually says (and doesn't).

I am a woman who considers herself Wild at Heart, but according to the author only men can be that. I have to be dainty, prom and proper and rely on my man to do the wild things. Well to that I say bunk. We are created in God's image, and I believe that God has both make and female attributes and that we took can be like God in this respect.

One mans personal experience written up into a bible on manhood which promotes itself as objective truth.The author does not ask good questions that make you think, he makes blanket statements than make you wonder if he's ever talked with a woman in his entire life?The books message repeated throughout is that if you don't go outside and hike you're a fake man and a fake christian and that's laughable.

This is NOT a Christian book. The author consistently misinterprets scripture to support his pet theory on masculinity.

A lot of men do not go to church and do not like to go to church. The stereotype of a lot of church in the UK is dull, middle class, sterile, and sadly most of all rather cliquey and unwelcoming. I can tell you this stereotype is not totally true, but I think it is true of many traditional churches, that cater really for churchgoers rather than practising Christians.There are lots of men, many probably from working class backgrounds, but no doubt many others who struggle with an emasculated church and who are equally fed up with the idea that being masculine means bad, and being feminine means good! Read about the kind of men God picks in the Bible to serve Him. David, Moses, Paul, Solomon, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Abraham, Isaiah and many more were real men, not afraid of speaking boldly for God, often in the face of great and fearsome opposition. The organised church today is compromising with the world, and this is because many priests and vicars have no relationship with Jesus but are merely professional religionists.There are millions of men, seemingly not the 'right' Christian type, looking for God, looking for truth, meaning and something real in their lives. They need to know God is not a fuddy duddy, or shy and retiring and limited by most of what passes for Christianity in the UK and US today!!! He is the God of thrills, excitement, real life and adventure. Get that into your heads, all you wild and out of control guys, and all you feminised men who think God wants religious stereotypes... BECAUSE HE DOESN'T!!!! He wants a relationship with YOU... whoever you are!

Really enjoyed this. 'Wild at Heart' gives a very different message on what men should aspire to be, than what most people nowadays will tell you.Many people seem to think Eldredge is promoting stereotypical male behaviour as the ideal (aggression and so on). That's not what this book is idealising. It is equipping men for the spiritual fight, not physical fight.The underlying claim is that adventure is the way to find your heart again.

This is the best book I have ever read (after the Bible). I was sceptical when it first came out, but then I recently felt led to buy it.It spoke to me on so many levels.I think every man should read it to understand himself and his relationships but would also recommend it to wives (and would-be wives)and mothers. It will help all understand the heart of a man.

Very timely message. Not just for Christian men but also for women. It is a call to live from the heart irrespective of gender. "What ever your task work at it with all your HEART as serving the Lord and not men" (Col3:23). I bought this on iBooks then bought a paper back on Amazon as a gift for a friend who was getting married. Will buy and share more copies of this book. I which every man and woman would read this book.

Love this books. Its great to read in one sitting and also in parts if you want to analyze the chapters.