I’ve just finished reading Rewilding the Way by Todd Wynward. Talk about a challenging book! Beyond pointing out that today’s Christian emperors are not wearing any clothes, it seems that none of us are, including the author, as he himself admits. 

Wynward encourages us to understand that Jesus calls us to be more like a cimarron (wild horse) running free in the wilderness rather than be satisfied marching to other’s drums as a reducido living in someone’s stable. Quoting freely from sources from Irenaeus to Merton, Wynward builds his case for a Christianity freed from empire. There is indeed something about religion that abhors human power and control. 

To succeed at this, Wynward offers what he terms “seven paths” to unleash one’s way. The underlying theme beneath them all is what Meister Eckhart termed learning to trust God the way we did before we were born. Meekness, being satisfied with enough, depending on grace and such like all depend on radical trust in God, it seems to me. The seven paths are linked to seven principles, which couple unleashing one’s way with sustainable living practices. Wynward admits they’re quite difficult to follow in practice, but lead one to a principled, value-driven life.

 

I found Wynward at his best at the beginning of the book, laying out his paths and principles, and in his description of Kurt Hahn and Outward Bound. He piqued my interest in Outward Bound, and I shall indeed be exploring it further – never had heard Hahn’s story told like that. I’d recommend this book to folks who are uncomfortable in their pews, and challenge those who are comfortable there to read it with an open mind.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.