Well.
I've supported the Emergent Church movement from the outside, as one who heard some of the critiques of American Evangelicalism, and threw a fist in the air with an enthusiastic "hurrah!" when speakers told suburbanites to start serving. For example, my first taste of Donald Miller - reading Blue Like Jazz - was like drinking cool water on a stiflingly hot day. I love that book; I've lost count of the times I've read it. I even inflicted it on my Bible Study.
But.
I'd never read anything by Brian McLaren.
Having graduated from a place like Princeton Seminary, naturally I've been exposed to some alternative theologies. Some of my friends profoundly disagree with me theologically, yet we are dear friends and I love them. Even though they're wrong (teehee!). In my very first church interview, I was asked "how has your theology changed at Princeton?" and I said, "well, if I can be anachronistic," (which one should never be while interviewing with a church) "I think I've realized God is more of a Democrat than I'd have thought before." I could have thrown up on my shoes and not done a better job of ruining my chances for that job.
I was right and wrong that day. God is, in fact, more progressive in many ways than Republicans, but of course, he's also not nearly as indulgent as Democrats (not to mention that the Lord has a flat tax, and it's only 10%... which is freakin awesome). What I should have said that day was "I thought I knew a few things about God before I got here... but God is much bigger than that, and the kingdom of God is in the physical as well as the spiritual realms, and the call of god is to us in our spiritual lives as well as into the physical realm of the earth."
You know - something deeply profound and well thought-out, delivered right off the top of my head. Like you do.
But I've got my brain wrapped around taking the kingdom to the world, pressing for justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, etc. I'm no big fan of the modern American Christian Enterprise (ACE, Inc. let's call it). I think most Christian devotional writers aren't worth they're salt unless they're dead (not to be graphic, but if their popularity outlasts them, you know they're not just the latest ACE, Inc.-sponsored fad).
So bundling all that together, I had heard some very good things about Brian McLaren. Then, I heard some deeply troubling things. I had a spirited conversation with a friend regarding these things, and I knew I needed to read the man for myself.
So - here launcheth The McLaren Project.
Phase 1 - Everything Must Change
I'm going to read and respond to his book, asking questions, and probably questioning his presumptions (you know - like you do). I welcome your suggestions along the way, and any of your own observations if you've read McLaren yourselves. It should be interesting, and I look forward to sharing the journey with all of you.
