A very deep book! Lots of phrases/terminology, concepts, & fresh perspectives that were new to me. I found it to be very informative. It explained a lot of the struggles we face as humans & throughout our Christian walk. I love the concept of the Arrows. It also made me see God in a new light & provided a thorough explanation of the whole story & His true character.

“Many professing Christians end up living: as practical agnostics. Perhaps God will come through, perhaps he won't, but I'm not risking living as though he will come through. I'll hedge my bets and if he does show up, great. That would be wonderful. If he doesn't, I've got my bases covered. The simple word for this is godlessness. Like a lover who's been wronged, we guard our heart against future disappointment.”

“What if we saw God not as Author, the cosmic mastermind behind all human experience, but as the central character in the larger story? What could we learn about his heart?”

“And so we live with the fear of not being chosen, the burden of maintaining whatever it is about us that might get us noticed and the commitment never to be seen for who we really are. We develop a functional self-image, even if it is a negative one.”

“We’ve never been wanted for our heart, our truest self, not really, not for long. The thought that God wants our hearts seems too good to be true.”

I also enjoyed the combination of scripture, poems and experts from books, and personal stories.

This book is an updated and revised version of the Christian classic coauthored by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge, that was first published in 1997. Sadly, Brent lost his life in a climbing accident in 1998; however, John has now solely undertaken the task of this latest revision. The main idea of behind this book is that God calls and desires everyone to join in a sacred romance with Him. It explains that our role is to join God on this journey to a sacred romance by drawing near to His heart and experiencing an intimate and beautiful adventure. I found this book to be both an interesting and insightful read.

This book wasn’t so much for me. Though the message is good, it was hidden behind lots of words and pages and pages of description of things that weren’t really so important to the point. This writing style works for some, for sure, but not for me.

I am always looking for material to read that will keep me in close relationship with God and will deepen my faith and my understanding. I have read many books by John Eldredge before and enjoyed them. This is apparently the first book he wrote, co-authoring it with Brent Curtis who tragically died not long after publication.

The attempt to make their message allegorical like the classic series the Chronicles of Narnia fell short for me. I also found their naming of things (like The Message of the Arrows to discuss things that hurt us and impact us in a negative way, and the Sacred Romance to describe a closer relationship with God) and the continual use of these names throughout the book to be artificial and distracting from the overall material.

Many other reviewers have said that this book is one of the most meaningful if not the most meaningful book they have read in their life. I personally did not find it so, but mine is but one voice in the churning sea. I have learned through the years that timing is key in life in general, and it is no different with books. A book read at one point in our life can have a totally different impact than the same book read at another time.

I rejoice for those who love this book and will give it another chance at another time.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read a DRC of the paperback version of this book via NetGalley. Publication is 11/12/24. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

This is a revised edition of a classic. I'm not clear on what is different in this edition from the earlier one but it is a worthy read. It's a beautiful emphasis on the sacred romance we have in our relationship with God. It offers a fresh perspective on the gospel.

#SacredRomance #NetGalley

Enthralling, deep, life-changing. This is the book I've been looking for.

Such a meaningful yet approachable read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. This book is one of the staples that I recommend to anyone who is curious about what it means to have a relationship with God or maybe if you've just fallen off the tracks and need to get back on. It's more than just a worldly relationship, it's eternal and has eternal benefits. In life we have to decide what is really important in our short time here. I pray this book blesses all who see and read these words and sparks that desire in your hearts to run to Jesus.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy of the Sacred Romance. Even though this is a revised edition, it was a new book to me as I hadn't read the original. It honestly took me a little bit to get into the book due to the story telling elements such as the arrows. However, I knew I wanted to finish it because you could tell that it followed the storyline of God's love for us and desire to woo us. By the time I reached roughly halfway through I was able to follow their story elements a bit better and really enjoyed the last half of the book. It left me with wanting to re-examine my own relationship and intimacy with God. I think if a book can make you stop to think about where you are, and where you could get to on your own walk with God the book did a great job.

This book needs to be read! It's really a reminder about the real Story we're living in and all the reasons we fall prey to false stories. Brent and John get back to the heart of our identities, our deepest longings, and our hopes. I really enjoyed the use of narratives and the other books mentioned. I really want to pick up Milton and the Pilgrim's Progress after their mentions in this one. It is critical to remember that our walk with Jesus is a romance, and God is a great pursuer. This book really highlighted to me both my own identity in Christ and God's character, both of which are so easy to forget. I highly recommend! It's a much needed book for this age!

Curtis and Eldredge examine the relentless pursuit of humans by God, who seeks to satisfy the longings and fears of the human heart. This book exposes the need to be known and to know, the quest for love and intimacy, and the ways God comes near to us personally and in community.

Eldredge is known for his call to a personal relationship with God, and I found this book summed up best in this verse:

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:9