I recall Mclaren’s earlier book that became a trilogy – a new kind of christian – being banned in many churches. I get the sense that a lot of concepts or challenges presented in that book have since shaped many churches, even if indirectly.
A new kind of Christianity will undoubtedly cause at least just as much of a stir, if not more.
Here’s a few of my quick thoughts.
People are going to love it or hate it. It’s hard not to be provoked and challenged by the questions he brings up.
McLaren’s often known for offering great questions and little in the way of answers. I got the feeling this was a bit of a ‘coming out’ book (though I think McLaren honestly puts where he’s at every time he writes, he’s just a bit further down that path now).
Hardcore/New Calvinists will hate much of the answers he provides.
The premise of most of his arguments is based on the framework in which we see things. Change the framework and everything within it changes. The new kind of christian focused more on the modernist mindset, he goes further back with this book showing how much of our theology is based on a Greco-Roman platonic worldview obsessed with either/or states and perfection.
Process theology and the general arc of the biblical storyline also shapes how we continue to evolve in our faith and humanity
I think many churches will have a hard time matching up what McLaren proposes and their current statement of faith (ie. his views presented on Scripture, the second coming, etc.) At the same time I think most statements of faith are profoundly lacking, incomplete, and rarely represent the actual practice of the church anyways.
McLaren usually does an impressive job with ignoring critics and smothering those who differ with kindness, so I was surprised when he took an unnamed swipe at Mark Driscoll (he’s going to have a field day with this one). There’s definitely some extra edge in this book (but none more than the fury his critics have heaped upon him)
I wonder if there will ever be healing between the different ‘camps’ in the future?
Overall, I’m glad McLaren does what he does, even if I don’t agree with all of his ideas and approaches. My guess is critics will continue to hate him, because he isn’t what they want him to be. He’s not a defender of the faith (as it is). He’s not someone who’s just proposing new methodologies to timeless truth (as we know it).
I find it odd that many of us will allow ourselves to consume and be shaped by music, media, technology, etc. that may have a radically different theological concepts from us, but vehemently not want someone like McLaren to be heard.
Our planet is in enough of a jam as it is, can’t we just let the guy feel his way forward and share what he’s learning with the rest of us?
There’s some extra chapters available on his website that people should also dig into.
Peter Rollins has been the latest provoking button pusher for me. He looks and talks like a complete drunk on redbull, but he’s got some profound thoughts. I don’t know if this list of resources will grow as large as my Rob Bell listing, but here we go.
Here’s his wikipedia bio
Peter Rollins (born Belfast, 31st March 1973) is the founder and co-ordinator of the experimental collective Ikon. Ikon describes itself as iconic, apocalyptic, heretical, emerging and failing and engages in what it calls theodrama and ‘transformance art’.
Rollins is also a freelance philosophy lecturer, public speaker and writer who specialises in various aspects of continental philosophy, phenomenology and emerging churchtheology. He is currently a research associate with Trinity College Dublin.
I’m all for disrupting the status quo, but what is it in us that seems to need to rebel against those closest to us?
Like the teenager that finds herself powerless to change the system, and lives in defiance to her parents; a new order of Christians seem overly hell-bent on undermining the institutional church… and I’m often one of them.
What conflicts are you involved with today that are completely unnecessary?
According to Global TV: There’s a Christian reformation stirring in Canada’s Christian churches. Forsaking the traditional pew and altar, these Christians are dropping pop culture references, defying the orthodoxy, and creating their own brands of worship. Suddenly, it’s hip to be holy.
To which I say, really? I can’t honestly say I see a ‘reformation’ happening. Inklings of goodness coming out of the cracks absolutely, but the church still has a long way to go in Canada.
My friend Nathan Gerber will be featured in it, which will definitely make it worth watching. (Revealed: Hip 2B Holy on Global TV Monday May 25 10pm EST, 9pm Central, 8pm Western).
See the video below interviewing director Karen Pinker and Kevin Newman about the show. They sound like tourists who’ve read all the brochures, but haven’t quite lived with the natives yet.
I sure hope it’s not lame. Pray that it’s an honest depiction (beauty and ugliness and all), and that it actually helps move conversations across the nation forward.
Update: Some clips from the show laced with post-production reflections.
Your thoughts on the ‘reformation’ of the Church in Canada?
I don’t know how many times I’ve been in this conversation. I’m in a gathering of largely ‘white’ folk, and the conversation veers over to Jesus being for all nations and multiculturalism…
Someone usually mentions how they believe that every culture has something unique to offer to the body of Christ…
Since I’m avoiding eye contact at this moment, though it’s probably not true, I feel like every eyeball starts honing in on me.
There’s a lot of conversation that needs to happen about multiculturalism and the church and how to go about it all, but before that I’ve had a sense of having to get my own cultural story straight.
I hear lots about the roots of the reformation in Europe, liberation theology out of latin america, the oppression shaped narrative from African American brothers and sisters… but what about them Asians?
What do Asians uniquely bring to the table?
How does being Asian shape your understanding of Christ?
If God is the redemptive creator of all cultures, why’d he make you, what you are? (and yes, I know you’re so much more than your ethnic/cultural heritage)
From people I’ve asked so far… 2 people said “they work hard”, one person said “Good or bad, they have a high regard for authority”… and the Chinese house church movement gets mentioned a lot when people are looking for good news about Christianity…
I’ve been highly unproductive the last few weeks trying to pray and listen for God to speak to me in terms of next steps… problem is He keeps speaking to me in all these other areas of my life.
- I have answers to questions I haven’t honestly wrestled through myself
- I judge people by their actions, but I want them to judge me by my intentions
- I talk a lot about interdependent living, but I plan my life towards independence
- I tend to like conflict, because I think I’m usually right. Conflict becomes just another game I can win.
- I’m done seminary, but I really don’t know the Bible as well as I should
- I’m selective with Scriptures – I’m not sure what to do with the miracles I can’t perform, or even things like the holy kiss.
- I drink gravy straight-up when no one’s looking.
I’m not as well-versed in the ethnic issues as many of my peers are, however I’ve been chewing on this article by Fast Company for a number of months now. Click on the caption below for the full article.
The mindset that they’re countering has almost always been my perspective, and I’m Chinese.
China has increasingly been equated to a global manufacturing powerhouse due to the mass amount of cheap labor available… ie. the reason why you’re wearing and touching several items ‘Made in China” right this moment.
The article suggests that there is a revolution underway. Not just in terms of manufacturing, military, or the economy, but with creativity in China.
Could it be that God might be using globalization, technology, and the democratization of information, to liberate people like never before?
What would happen if the imaginations of 1.3 billion people in China were unleashed?
If its true that China and India (also known as Chindia) are emerging global superpowers – what implications does that have for Christianity?
As the developing world transitions from the Industrial Age to the Creative Age, what’s next for the current Creative Class?
You scored as Chalcedon compliantYou are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you’re not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451.
I recently finished Brian Mclaren’s latest “A new kind of Christianity“.
