What Does a Drug Lord and John Eldredge Have in Common?

What does a drug lord and John Eldredge have in common? A book. One wrote it and the other requires his gang members to read it.  Nazario Moreno González is the leader of a violent drug running gang in Mexico called La Familia Michoacana. As part of their recruiting the gang targets those in rehab programs for drug addicts.  In an article in today’s Washington Post, Alfredo Garcia, relates the “help” offered to addicts:

For recruits, the cartel turns to addicts in drug rehabilitation clinics, helping them overcome addiction before forcing them to join the group. Family values and religion are emphasized during the recruitment process, which includes daily group prayer sessions and mandatory readings.

Some of the required reading includes John Eldredge’s book “Wild At Heart”.

It appears that Nazario has been inspired by Eldredge’s description of a “muscular Christianity” and the masculine notion of awakening the warrior in men. Of course, John’s view of this is a far cry from Nazario’s. The Post reports:

Eldredge did not find the misuse of his text to be unusual, saying that such has ‘been true of ideas, language, books and movements all throughout history.’ People have always attempted to ‘shroud and try to cloak or distort their practices by draping it in religious language,’ he said.

Still, even though John was originally angry that such a violent criminal element had made use of his material, he could see the possibility of God using the situation for some genuine life change among the gang members.

Eldredge said he has had mixed feelings about the group’s use of his book. “You know, at first I was shocked and angry,” he said. “But after I had thought about it, I thought that I’m delighted that ‘Wild at Heart’ has found itself into their cult because hopefully it will bring change.” (Washington Post)

We can all pray that he’s right!