Masterful Living Summary

In his book “Masterful Living: New Vocabulary for the Holy life” Kevin Mannoia introduces the reader to a new approach in interpreting the idea of holiness. He starts the book by addressing the issues that are related to the misunderstanding of holiness. For him holiness is not a complex idea, rather misinterpretation and misunderstanding have diluted our idea of holiness. As a consequence it has placed holiness into a categories of spirituality, and restrictive behaviors.
The intent of the author in this book is not to provide a comprehensive understanding of holiness. Rather, the author tries to shed light into those area of misconception, this is evident in every chapter, with the stories shared that relate and clarify concepts the author is conveying. The author utilizes eleven chapters to draw out his presentation on holiness. The first chapter deals with introducing the reader to the concept of the “Masterful” sight. The reader is reoriented to look beyond the immediate context to the true meaning. The author utilizes the story of a father and daughter looking at the painting in the Sisteen Chapel, at first the father cannot identify the true meaning in the painting. But later with his daughter’s help, he is able to see the nature of the master in the painting. In this story the author sets his intent for his reader, which is to reflect on the nature of the master, thus becoming masterful (masterful is utilized by the author as holiness). The last ten chapters deal with the different descriptors associated in the life of masterful living. In each of these chapter the author set forth the manner in which can make this change in our lives. The meaning of the author in this book is to reorient the reader’s understanding of holiness. The author expresses that holiness is more that following a prescriptive order of rules in one’s life. He states that “in trying to manage our lives, we have missed the deep meaning and transforming fullness that is at the core of masterful living” (2). The author explains that masterful living at its center is the Master, and the Master spreads outward in all areas of our lives. Masterful living begins with salvation as the restoration of the image of God in an individual. The author explain that salvation is much more than a way to heaven and not only an atonement for sin. Salvation reorients the individual to understand his/her state as fractured an unable to reflect the image of God. Another important aspect of masterful living is transformation. However, transformation does not happen because of our response. Transformation is a natural result of being wholly engulfed by the Master. Holiness is also something that we cannot bear a resemblance to individual, it requires community. Therefore in community we cannot choose to compartmentalize areas in our lives. Meaning that we …show more content…
I especially liked the “Blue Dot” diagram utilized in chapter eleven, I think that sometime simplicity provides the best answer to some of life difficult concepts. In this diagram the closer one is to the blue the more they represent the color, however, the father they are the less they represent the color. I realized that in order to represent the likeness of God, I must resemble Him in perfect love. I recognize that there areas in my life that need to resemble His holiness and it is these areas that I will seek to