Re: Finding Our Way Again (Brian McLaren)

diecast — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:34:32 -0000

thanks for the review. i haven't heard much on this book yet. It sounds interesting.
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.

Re: Finding Our Way Again (Brian McLaren)

Markingtime4now — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:09:59 -0000

A good overview. Thanks.

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...

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Re: Finding Our Way Again (Brian McLaren)

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