A New Kind of Christianity by Brian D. McLaren

Aside from a few ethical issues he touches upon (i.e. 'A New Kind of Christianity' seems to be a bit different than McLaren's previous works. He steps directly forward with the truth of the gospel teaching - with our sacred lives expressed in wonderful processes of lived theology, and an evolving understanding of the divine. However, McLaren spends little time on the Ralph Reed political fund-raising and the Roger Ailes Luntz-Rovian focus-groups who were paid by Neo-feudalist billionaires to convert 'Christians' into haters.

He notes that the Book is the oldest of the Hebrew Canon and that it is meant to begin, not end, the great dialogue in which we are all engaged.Christianity has been stained and discredited by so-called conservative Christians. McLaren devotes one section to a study of Book of Job, which all who love the Word will favorite. McLaren tracks this theme as a continuing process from the earliest Biblical roots, and manages to pull it through the martyrs of the Reformation to the fractious present. McLaren to his credit, tracks this theme into our lives from its Biblical roots.Another theme which McLaren beautifully lifts up from the Scripture is the importance of an inclusive, diverse and 'beloved community'. And yet the contemporary 'Churches' - now almost extinct as a result of 'Mega' syndication by media entities - have almost entirely ignored this powerful message. For example, the 'peaceable kingdom' is a powerful and persistent theme in scripture-promised by the God of the Tanak, ushered in by Jesus, and repeatedly evoked by St Paul. All sides will flock to this with glee.McLaren tracks Biblical themes to contemporary life, and works hard to present religion as something that actually 'works', if only more people would try it. McLaren, one of the most visible faces of the emergent movement, examines 10 questions the church must answer as it heads toward 'a new way of believing.' McLaren deconstructs the 'Greco-Roman narrative' of the Bible and addresses how the Bible should be understood as an 'inspired library,' not a 'constitution.' He moves into questions regarding God, Jesus, and the Gospel, urging us to 'trade up' our image of God and realize that Jesus came to 'launch a new Genesis.' The Church, sexuality, the future, and pluralism merit chapters, as does McLaren's final call for 'a robust spiritual life.' Followers will rejoice as McLaren articulates his thoughts with logic and eloquence detractors will point out his artful avoidance of firm answers on salvation, hell, and a final judgment. McLaren's fans and detractors have eagerly awaited this book, which promises to codify the beliefs he introduced in his bestselling A New Kind of Christian and other titles.

A New Kind of Christianity by Brian D. McLaren