Over on Brian McLaren's website, I just read a fantastic response from Brian McLaren - one of my favorite authors and thinkers - to critics of the Emergent movement. I think McLaren's a pretty humble guy, and it shows in what he writes. He uses a phrase from the book that "put him on the map", so to speak, A New Kind Of Christian. That phrase is called "above the line". What McLaren means by this is that it seems like there are always two differing sides to an issue that are polar opposites. However, when you look at the Gospels, Jesus refuses to take one side or the other when it comes to issues. His thoughts on the issue is always "above the line".
McLaren looks at nine different aspects of the Emergent movement - aspects that he has noticed has drawn criticism from "both sides" of the argument. For example, some people would say that when it comes to humility within the Emergent movement, the leaders of Emergent are too humble and should be bolder sometimes. Others say that leaders within the Emergent movement are cocky because they think they know all the answers and what's coming that will revitalize the church from its death throes. McLaren believes there's a position that is above the line.
I encourage you to read this article in its entirety. It's very thought-provoking, a little wordy - but worth the read.
1 comment:
I enjoy McLaren's thoughts and writings as well. Some people do not realize the cultural and spiritual shift that has and is taking place in the United States (and the rest of the western world). Most people see their small community as "the" world. BEcause of this they don't understand why someone like McLaren proposes such a thing as "a New Kind of Christianity."
They fear that thought, because to them, there is no reason for a new version. What we have works.
But for me, and many people like me, Christianity is not what it should be.
McLaren gets criticism for being too liberal, both theologically and politically. I know many people who still struggle sometimes with being too conservative in both aspects. It does not mean that I do not take their thoughts or advice to heart.
Anyway, long comment. I appreciate that you posted this. I hope that others do read what McLaren has to say and that they try to understand the motivation behind Christianity's response to the philosophic shift in our world.
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