The NIV Ragamuffin Bible is a New International Version Bible containing 104 devotions, 250 reflections, and 150 quotes from Brennan Manning (1934-2013), a public speaker, priest, and author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. While the extra material scattered throughout the text is at times thought provoking and inspiring, in some cases, I felt that it did not relate to the scriptures into which it was inserted. For instance, this quote is on the same page as Ecclesiastes 4:
“In place of end-time agitation and thoughts of doom, Jesus tells us to be alert and watchful. We are to avoid the doomsayer and the talkshow crank when they conduct their solemn televised meetings in the green room of apocalypse.”See what I mean? The quotes require careful deliberation to ascertain the message being conveyed, and in some cases, without the greater context of the original writings, the quotes are quite cryptic. Brennan Manning’s style of writing demands more than a casual reading. I do not consider this Bible to be a study Bible, but one that would enhance your devotional time, especially if you are already a Brennan Manning fan.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze®.com book review program. The opinions I expressed are my own.
