The Wisdom of Tenderness

A vision of how the wisdom gleaned from the essential tenderness of God’s spirit can teach us to love and trust ourselves, and thereby others.

“This testament to God's tenderness is a modern-day epistle to churches. . . . Manning writes for the individual and the institution, and both will benefit from listening to his words. Especially those who long to hear more about divine mercy . . . will welcome his brief treatise.” —Publishers Weekly

Brennan Manning believes that all changes in the quality of life must grow out of a change in our vision of reality. Calling into question the prevailing vision of God as a remote overlord who alternately purveys judgment and blessings to his creatures below, Manning shows how this distorted image of God leads to a spirituality that is shallow and ultimately in conflict with the message of the Gospel.

Rooted in the author’s compelling grasp of God as a loving parent, The Wisdom of Tenderness gently invites us to embrace the unfathomable mercy, grace, and love of God. By relating to God as a loving parent with the heart of tenderness, we can develop a spiritual life that allows us to let go of worry, stop organizing everything as a means to an end, and begin to live fully in the awareness of God’s infinite grace and mercy in each moment. As we come to accept the tenderness of God, our hearts will begin to open, our minds can discern truth, and we can more readily see the divine in others.

A profound exploration of the challenges of Christian living, The Wisdom of Tenderness leads readers to a greater experience of compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation, and reverence.

“For every thirsty pilgrim who has wandered life’s desert of brokenness seeking an oasis of grace, your search is over.” —Philip Gulley, author of Just Shy of Harmony

“Don’t be deceived by the title; this is the demanding, unyielding, impatient tenderness of God that will break your heart and (if you let it) give your heart new life.” —John Ortberg, author of If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat