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- Yeah, you don't hear that preached much in church, but that is as central to Christianity as it gets. The gospel Jesus preached was the "Gospel of the Kingdom." He proclaimed that...
- Woa. Something about the way you put that... Gives a whole new understanding (to me, at least) of "the kingdom of god is within you." See, I always kinda thought of the kingdom of God as...
- Well I was always under the impression that "freedom costs a buck-o-five." Seriously though, I think I like the heart of what you're saying here (we're offered salvation (freedom)...
- Yes, I suppose that could describe our experience of it, Jesse. But I'm more interested in the reality of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. If it comes slowly to us because we're not...
- I see what you're saying Paul. As another possible perspective, it could be one of those things that just "creep up on you." Like, all the signs are there but you just don't see...
the Jesus Manifesto
following the way of Jesus in the land of our captivity
The creative mind that birthed a “new kind of Christian” is looking rather ancient these days. In Finding Our Way Again, Brian McLaren kicks off the eight volume Ancient Practices Series being released by Thomas Nelson through the year 2010 (other authors in the series will include Scot McKnight and Diana Butler Bass). McLaren’s book
... Continue reading »
1 year ago
One thought I had about your "anti-consumerist" comment near the end. I don't know how much McLaren's theology deals with an *active* Holy Spirit, but it seems to me that when one is trying to make a case for practice, the proof ought to be in the pudding, not in the words his book uses to celebrate or describe it. In other words, joyful, disciplined, authentic spiritual practice should be something inspired by the indwelling Spirit, and any "evidence" or ideological argumentation about its essential (non-optional) qualities would run counter to the core of his argument: that it's in the DOING of the thing that its fruits are seen. A few anecdotal examples might qualify as evidence for some, but could be grounds for dismissal if an already biased reader is inclined toward abstract doctrine instead of concrete practice or openminded exploratory inquiry (a stance McLaren is becoming known for).
Perhaps he's simply trying to teach and encourage those making early forays into this area, and not even trying to address the "outsider" critics who are just going to keep pigeonholing him, whether he makes a good case or not. Is the book a manual for the "new school monks", or a justification of their approach to those who would discount it? One way to sidestep the "marketplace" of ideas is to refuse (in subtle ways) to even participate in the debate as they define it, to deny doubters the power they're seeking by the mere asking of their questions, legitimate or not.
Pursuing a singular voice and ignoring the naysayers is one of the inherent strengths of both visionaries and lunatics. Perhaps Brian's just keeping his eye on the ball here...
1 year ago
On your final point, to me spiritual practice is largely based on hunger pains. i'm not sure that is something to necessarily be avoided or warned against. We come to these practices out of a longing and they become a friend, guiding our journey toward the divine in everyday movements. Surely if you are attempting to market spirituality that is something that scratches at me, but we should accuse people of aching for God and searching through retail bins for a way to reconnect with God.