25 Brennan Manning Quotes From The Misunderstood Preacher
Published October 11, 2023
Learn more about the nature of the soul with our Brennan Manning quotes.
Brennan Manning made a name for himself by challenging popular religious beliefs.
His legacy remains connected to his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel.
Learn more with our Brennan Manning quotes below.
Who was Brennan Manning?
Brennan Manning was an American author, priest, public speaker, and laicized priest.
His followers believe he set the bar high in terms of developing intimate relationships with Jesus Christ and redefining some contemporary Christian values.
His critics suggest that his alcoholism and status as a defrocked or laicized priest reflect his inability to lead.
Some of Manning’s books are:
- Souvenirs of Solititude
- Gentle Revolutionaries
- Stranger to Self-Hatred
Why did people gravitate toward Manning’s preaching?
Manning was born in New York during the Great Depression.
He is a college grad and a war veteran.
He said he experienced his first intimate experience with Jesus in 1965.
He would study theology and graduate from Saint Francis University.
Part of the reason crowds were drawn to him was because of his willingness to be open.
Manning spoke earnestly about his battles with substance abuse, his struggles in his marriage, and the traumas of war.
People found his message relatable because he embraced his flaws.
He was not afraid to be his authentic self.
Why did Manning get laicized?
When a priest gets laicized, the Church deems their behavior or material inappropriate.
The loss of clerical state is also known as dismissal, defrocking, or degradation.
It means a bishop, priest, or deacon is removed from being a clergy member.
Manning’s teachings often went directly against accepted Church doctrine as he taught anyone can be redeemed no what.
Manning and atheism
Atheism is the belief that God or Creator does not exist.
Manning has one of the most popular and famous quotes about the cause of atheism.
He notes,
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.”
He adds, “That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
To learn more, check out our Brennan Manning quotes below.
Short Brennan Manning quotes about love
We begin our list with these short quotes about love.
1. “You will trust God to the degree you know you are loved by Him.” — Brennan Manning
2. “I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are, and not as you should be.” — Brennan Manning
3. “He loves you when your intellect denies it, your emotions refuse it, your whole being rejected it.” — Brennan Manning
4. “Do you believe that God loves without condition?” — Brennan Manning
5. “He loves you in the morning sun and in the evening rain.” — Brennan Manning
The top Brennan Manning quotes about Jesus
Manning passionately mentions Jesus in many of his sermons.
6. “Do you believe that the God of Jesus loves you beyond worthiness and unworthiness?” — Brennan Manning
7. “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.” — Brennan Manning
8. “Yet, they kept coming back to Jesus.” — Brennan Manning
9. “Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed who know they don’t have it all together.” — Brennan Manning
10. “Our culture says that ruthless competition is the key to success. Jesus says that ruthless compassion is the purpose of our journey.” — Brennan Manning
Famous Brennan Manning quotes about sin and faith
In the Christian tradition, sin and faith are intertwined.
11. “I know every moment of sin, shame, dishonesty, and degraded love that has darkened your past.” — Brennan Manning
12. “Right now, I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship.” — Brennan Manning
13. “I have a word for you.” — Brennan Manning
14. “I know your whole life story.” — Brennan Manning
15. “I know every skeleton in your closet.” — Brennan Manning
Brennan Manning quotes and sayings
Check out these inspirational quotes from Manning.
16. “How glorious the splendor of a human heart that trusts that it is loved!” — Brennan Manning
17. “To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace.” — Brennan Manning
18. “The only kind of love that helps anyone grow is unconditional love.” — Brennan Manning
19. “In every encounter, we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.” — Brennan Manning
20. “The gospel will persuade no one unless it has so convicted us that we are transformed by it.” — Brennan Manning
The best Brennan Manning quotes for true believers
21. “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God.” — Brennan Manning
22. “This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.” — Brennan Manning
23. “God’s love for you and his choice of you constitute your worth.” — Brennan Manning
24. “Accept that, and let it become the most important thing in your life.” — Brennan Manning
25. “Lord, when I feel that what I’m doing is insignificant and unimportant, help me to remember that everything I do is significant and important in your eyes.” — Brennan Manning
Do not fear the judgment of others
Many people have negative opinions about Brennan Manning, but he never let that stop him from pursuing his goals.
Despite his flaws, Manning practiced his faith in the best way he knew.
What is your favorite Brennan Manning quote?
Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
