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Dangerous Wonder (with Discussion Guide): The Adventure of Childlike Faith
If you're looking for the joy and freedom of faith, this book will open your eyes and your life to the exciting adventure of a relationship with God. Now includes a discussion guide.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1992
60 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 7, 2012
I have read a good number of books that would fall in the "Christian Living" category, and a good majority of those that I've read were...nice. Few of them were truly inspiring. This is one of the few.
With a measure of eloquence and grace I've not often seen in any genre, Mr. Yaconelli indicts the reader for our "maturity" and pushes us to realize the meaning of "childlike faith." Somewhere in the rush to grow up we have forgotten what wonder is like and how to experience it, and further, we've forgotten that we've forgotten. Dangerous wonder encourages the reader to remember wonder and to seek after it again. To untie the tethers of maturity and adult expectations, and allow your imagination to run.
Wonder ought to be a necessary ingredient of true faith, and the author delicately but firmly reminds us of that in a very effective, very readable, relatively short work. A total breath of fresh air.
With a measure of eloquence and grace I've not often seen in any genre, Mr. Yaconelli indicts the reader for our "maturity" and pushes us to realize the meaning of "childlike faith." Somewhere in the rush to grow up we have forgotten what wonder is like and how to experience it, and further, we've forgotten that we've forgotten. Dangerous wonder encourages the reader to remember wonder and to seek after it again. To untie the tethers of maturity and adult expectations, and allow your imagination to run.
Wonder ought to be a necessary ingredient of true faith, and the author delicately but firmly reminds us of that in a very effective, very readable, relatively short work. A total breath of fresh air.
March 29, 2021
So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. Good.
Must-read for everyone! Seriously! Add it to the top of your list now!
The author lays out the incredible beauty and simplicity of childlike faith, reminding the reader of the deep inner longing for passion and childlike playfulness that we all have deep inside. Jesus calls us to have a childlike faith for a reason... it is how we were created to live with Him. Yaconelli does a great job at helping remind us of the beauty of this and how to live it practically.
Must-read for everyone! Seriously! Add it to the top of your list now!
The author lays out the incredible beauty and simplicity of childlike faith, reminding the reader of the deep inner longing for passion and childlike playfulness that we all have deep inside. Jesus calls us to have a childlike faith for a reason... it is how we were created to live with Him. Yaconelli does a great job at helping remind us of the beauty of this and how to live it practically.
May 3, 2017
I have forgotten how this book was recommended to me. If you don't like being involved with a church, if you think everything is boring, then maybe this book is for you.
For me, the first half of the book was irritating. So the author would classify me as a "Pharisee," even though the term has a specific meaning about work righteousness and attitudes that do not apply to me. But this is symptomatic of the book. The author doesn't take time to make his analogies align with the Bible. The disciple Thomas becomes the hero of the story about the resurrection of Jesus -- he was the one who enjoyed expressing his doubts and according to the author Jesus commended his attitude over that of the disciples. Hmm, that's not how it reads in my Bible.
There was a point in the book where I thought to myself, "this Christian author never makes anything about love, only about adventure." That deeply bothered me about his whole line of reasoning. Even parents of a disabled child are "on an adventure." I wonder how many such parents could relate to his language. I also wondered -- probably my old sinful Pharisee here -- what it would be like to be married to a guy who is always looking for adventure and appears to regard showing up for the same old responsibilities as something bad because it's dull and boring. My research on this subject confirmed that he did get a divorce and humbly admits it was his fault. I do not know details and should not judge the situation. He may have been a loving, loyal husband. But this book doesn't seem balanced between those times when love is adventurous and times when love requires a commitment that we'd never choose for ourselves.
There were many heart warming stories in the second half of the book, including those from the tiny California congregation he served at the time the book was written. But his message came across as "More important than saving us from sin and eternal death, Jesus came to save us from boredom."
I read the whole book because I didn't want to write a negative review if something in the second half redeemed the message I found so off base in the first half. (I wrote a lot of disagreeing comments in the margin of the book -- something I haven't done for years!) The book is now 25 years old, and I think that better books have been written to encourage Christians who are bored, burned out, or overly responsible.
For me, the first half of the book was irritating. So the author would classify me as a "Pharisee," even though the term has a specific meaning about work righteousness and attitudes that do not apply to me. But this is symptomatic of the book. The author doesn't take time to make his analogies align with the Bible. The disciple Thomas becomes the hero of the story about the resurrection of Jesus -- he was the one who enjoyed expressing his doubts and according to the author Jesus commended his attitude over that of the disciples. Hmm, that's not how it reads in my Bible.
There was a point in the book where I thought to myself, "this Christian author never makes anything about love, only about adventure." That deeply bothered me about his whole line of reasoning. Even parents of a disabled child are "on an adventure." I wonder how many such parents could relate to his language. I also wondered -- probably my old sinful Pharisee here -- what it would be like to be married to a guy who is always looking for adventure and appears to regard showing up for the same old responsibilities as something bad because it's dull and boring. My research on this subject confirmed that he did get a divorce and humbly admits it was his fault. I do not know details and should not judge the situation. He may have been a loving, loyal husband. But this book doesn't seem balanced between those times when love is adventurous and times when love requires a commitment that we'd never choose for ourselves.
There were many heart warming stories in the second half of the book, including those from the tiny California congregation he served at the time the book was written. But his message came across as "More important than saving us from sin and eternal death, Jesus came to save us from boredom."
I read the whole book because I didn't want to write a negative review if something in the second half redeemed the message I found so off base in the first half. (I wrote a lot of disagreeing comments in the margin of the book -- something I haven't done for years!) The book is now 25 years old, and I think that better books have been written to encourage Christians who are bored, burned out, or overly responsible.
October 1, 2014
A beautiful book full hope, joy and childlike freedom. I would highly recommend this book if you want to be refreshed. I would also recommend his book, "Messy Spirituality." Both books leave you feeling more connected and whole.
In the Cleft Joy Comes In the Mourning: A Story of Hope After Tragedy
November 27, 2023
I read this with our church as a month long journey. I actually really enjoyed the book! The author does a great job using personal stories and parables of Jesus o create points. Easy and fulfilling read.
May 18, 2021
Solid book with some really important truths. There were a few sections that I thought were kind of odd and I didn’t really connect with, but overall I really enjoyed it.
October 25, 2010
Per Sue Bates:
The author challenges the reader to rediscover or discover their childlike faith. He gives great stories of what it means to experience God in a childlike way, and how adults can lose that over time. He pushes the reader to think through where they've put artificial boundaries on their faith and how to overcome them. The study questions at end of each chapter are excellent - really could generate great conversations and next steps for the reader.
This is one of those rare books that can challenge a mature believer who has gotten away from their passion for God and life. At the same time, it givse a newer believer (or even non-believer) permission to just love God without boundaries that we place on "how a Christian should behave". Excellent!
5 or 9 weeks, 30-45 minutes per week
book format with questions provided
shelves: Intimacy with God
The author challenges the reader to rediscover or discover their childlike faith. He gives great stories of what it means to experience God in a childlike way, and how adults can lose that over time. He pushes the reader to think through where they've put artificial boundaries on their faith and how to overcome them. The study questions at end of each chapter are excellent - really could generate great conversations and next steps for the reader.
This is one of those rare books that can challenge a mature believer who has gotten away from their passion for God and life. At the same time, it givse a newer believer (or even non-believer) permission to just love God without boundaries that we place on "how a Christian should behave". Excellent!
5 or 9 weeks, 30-45 minutes per week
book format with questions provided
shelves: Intimacy with God
July 11, 2016
I argued with this book a lot: I thought Yaconelli could have used a better editor, I thought his illustrations were irrelevant or flawed, and a lot of his thoughts were somewhat annoying. Let's just say I had a bad attitude. But then. Chapter 12 is called Naïve Grace. I cried all the way through it. I think I got some grace, and was able to give some back. That and chapter 13 are a great way to end a book...
August 31, 2023
My mother sent me "Dangerous Wonder" two years ago. Actually, I think she may have sent it twice. It's been in my 'TBR" stack since while I was digging into other what I deemed to be more philosophically promising materials. As most of my more recent reading has been of a spiritual nature, even though "Dangerous Wonder" didn't appear to align with my general theological perspective.
Hooked by the Intro, I struggled a bit but was promptly reeled in. My feelings were that Yaconelli was a bumbling goof through the early chapters, but I was intrigued by the 'thought questions' that outlined the end of the chapters, challenging you to understand yourself, why you don't do the things you used to that made you happy when you were young, and how God wants you to be 'like a child.' I began to realize that the bumbling was part of the point, and by the final pages was cheering his direct - "child-like" - style.
I have NEVER. EVER had a book that brought me to tears as often as "Dangerous Wonder" . Its an easy read from a literary standpoint but unfathomably deep from a spiritual and emotional perspective. It will take some time for me to untangle the stirrings this book caused. But I am more than encouraged to "scribble outside the lines". [5/5]
Hooked by the Intro, I struggled a bit but was promptly reeled in. My feelings were that Yaconelli was a bumbling goof through the early chapters, but I was intrigued by the 'thought questions' that outlined the end of the chapters, challenging you to understand yourself, why you don't do the things you used to that made you happy when you were young, and how God wants you to be 'like a child.' I began to realize that the bumbling was part of the point, and by the final pages was cheering his direct - "child-like" - style.
I have NEVER. EVER had a book that brought me to tears as often as "Dangerous Wonder" . Its an easy read from a literary standpoint but unfathomably deep from a spiritual and emotional perspective. It will take some time for me to untangle the stirrings this book caused. But I am more than encouraged to "scribble outside the lines". [5/5]
August 28, 2023
I LOVE the premise. Everyone could benefit from embracing more authentic childlike wonder! The introduction was fabulous. But after that it became a bit redundant—I’m giving 3 stars because the study questions were almost all closed ended and leading, and there was a lot of redundancy throughout. Could have been a much shorter book.
February 14, 2024
I read this book after reading Mark Yaconelli’s book, Between the Listening and the Telling, where he tells the story of growing up with his father, Mike, the author of this book. It definitely changed the way I read this book. However, there is still value in remembering to approach God and our faith with childlike wonder. I can see where Mark got his gift of storytelling. It runs in the family.
April 29, 2018
One of my all time favourites about childlike faith.
June 8, 2020
Refreshing, if unorthodox.
August 19, 2020
A great Follow up to "Messy Spirituality" - and an invitation to engage in a Childlike Faith.
September 4, 2022
Realizing God is everywhere, we just have to learn to recognize his voice and listen to him.
November 19, 2022
Great read.
February 28, 2024
This book changed my life. One of the best books I’ve ever read.
June 22, 2020
Mike Yaconelli nos desafía a confiar en Dios como niños. Una propuesta bíblica muy interesante que nos anima a vivir por fe y disfrutarlo, aún en la dimensión del terror.
Un libro ágil, de lectura sencilla y profundamente inspirador.
Un libro ágil, de lectura sencilla y profundamente inspirador.
March 7, 2015
Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith (1998) by Mike Yaconelli calls us back to a childlike faith. Christians, saved by God's scandalous grace to a life of wonder, are too often dour, dispassionate people having forgotten what God has done. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. Where is our joy?
Yaconelli writes of curiosity, wonder, abandon, playfulness, quiet listening, passion, terror, and naivete as characteristics to cultivate and not destroy. We are Christians, not Pharisees.
I have now read two books by Yaconelli: Dangerous Wonder and Messy Spirituality and I have been deeply moved by both of them. One particular story in Dangerous Wonder brought me to tears. In the chapter, "naive grace", Yaconelli told the story of an alcoholic man and abusive father who was leveled by grace. I won't share particulars, because I want you to read this book and find what I did.
If you have grown up in the church or consider yourself a "good Christian", Yaconelli will make you uncomfortable. And that's a good thing.
Yaconelli writes of curiosity, wonder, abandon, playfulness, quiet listening, passion, terror, and naivete as characteristics to cultivate and not destroy. We are Christians, not Pharisees.
I have now read two books by Yaconelli: Dangerous Wonder and Messy Spirituality and I have been deeply moved by both of them. One particular story in Dangerous Wonder brought me to tears. In the chapter, "naive grace", Yaconelli told the story of an alcoholic man and abusive father who was leveled by grace. I won't share particulars, because I want you to read this book and find what I did.
If you have grown up in the church or consider yourself a "good Christian", Yaconelli will make you uncomfortable. And that's a good thing.
March 16, 2012
Given to me as a gift from our parish's then youth minister. It is a great read for teens in particular. It gave me a new way of seeing Christianity. Essentially what I got was, if someone is looking for an easy, comfy, show up to services and gatherings on occasion and feel good about your spiritual status then this ain't the religion for you. Christianity demands much of us that necessitates that we be shaken out of our comfort zone. This is what I call 'kicking the pews' in order to wake folks up and get us moving.
June 28, 2012
An enjoyable book, with many thought-provoking statements and quotable quotes. I rushed to the end, eager to read all that it has to say. But, in reading the book so quickly, I didn't properly take hold of all the challenges and encouragements to change and develop a more childlike faith. There is, I suspect, so much more to take from this book than I did on first reading. I will have to to re-read it at least once (including the Discussion Guide, which I skipped), and take the time truly to engage with its message. Quite possibly a 5* book in waiting.
December 2, 2014
I was recommended to read this as part of my duties on our church council. It seems a bit scattered at times, but when you start to dig into how to apply the ideas to your own life, it truly changes something within you. Some of the examples and stories that he uses to illustrate his points are extremely touching.
If you are looking for a fresh way to approach your faith, I would recommend this book for you.
If you are looking for a fresh way to approach your faith, I would recommend this book for you.
November 15, 2014
"Childlike faith understands that God is as capable of destroying us as He is of saving us."
"God is not only present when we can see Him, He is present when we can't, and joy comes from recognizing God in places we never thought He would be. God hides in difficulty, He hides in suffering, He hides in poverty, He hides in failure, and He hides in the stories of our lives."
Dangerous Wonder will help you see and experience the danger and the wonder of God.
"God is not only present when we can see Him, He is present when we can't, and joy comes from recognizing God in places we never thought He would be. God hides in difficulty, He hides in suffering, He hides in poverty, He hides in failure, and He hides in the stories of our lives."
Dangerous Wonder will help you see and experience the danger and the wonder of God.
June 13, 2008
I wish there were six stars in the rating system.
There are not words to accurately describe the power and influence this book has had on me.
I believe I came to understand God better through Yaconelli's writing.
I read this shortly after becoming a Christian and it was as if God used this book to speak to me directly, assuring me that He was with me.
There are not words to accurately describe the power and influence this book has had on me.
I believe I came to understand God better through Yaconelli's writing.
I read this shortly after becoming a Christian and it was as if God used this book to speak to me directly, assuring me that He was with me.
January 10, 2011
Mike Yaconelli cuts through all the unnecessary stuff to the heart of a living breathing Christianity and does it all with a wonderful writing style that keeps one hoping for more. I read "Dangerous Wonder" as part of a group/class and always looked forward to what Mike had to share with us next. A great read that strives to help you recapture your child like faith.
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August 2, 2011Michael describes the many ways we adults drift from the wonder of childlike faith. It is especially challenging for those of us who value the productivity, efficiency, and responsibility of adulthood. Michael reminds us of the amazement we had when we first heard the things Jesus teaches. Certainly a new favorite of mine!
December 8, 2011
Read as a group discussion book so it was interesting to go through the questions together. How do we recapture a child - like faith? Yaconelli poses this and other similar questions through out his book. How much do we miss in our relationship with God when we've lost our child like faith? He would say a great deal and it was fun to discover ways to return to that.
April 19, 2012
Mike Yaconelli brought a very different perspective to the the Church that was struggling post Jesus movement. This book is a collection of stories from his life As a pastor, church leader, and foundeR of Youth Specialties. It is a fun read with a lot of personal growth thrown in among the stories. Well worth the time.
September 27, 2007
I love the child-like attitude of the writer. It excited and motivated me to not only think outside of the box, but to run away from the box and into the arms of Jesus.
And best of all... it was gift from my favorite cousin! (Go Janelle!!)
And best of all... it was gift from my favorite cousin! (Go Janelle!!)
August 24, 2008
I didn't finish. It was a recommendation from someone else...maybe I'll pick it back up again sometime, but it will be a long time from now, b/c there are too many other books i KNOW i want to read on my shelf.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews