Don’t kick me in the nuts!

I have to second Valoel’s comments. I was struck by how similar Brian’s take on Christianity was to my own, and yet I am attracted to it because it is more intensely spiritual than the traditional social gospel, to which I am also attracted.

#12 Interesting view from the other side. I don’t know a lot more about Brian McLaren yet beyond those video clips, but the topics you mentioned are ones I would probably have similar views about as Brian.

All that piles up…

Nice theological views…I enjoyed his videos. Thanks.

I agree — I think you’ve have only given a superficial look at Emerging Christianity. It is one of the few segments of American Christianity not posting net decline in market share. (Of course, some approaches I’d criticise, like Mega-Churchness or Properity Gospelness, are also showing growth, so growth alone is a not a predictor of worth, even for positions with which I agree. Still growing movements/approaches are worthy for deeper consideration, for the pro and for the con, when most denominations of American Christianity are declining.)

Either way, the more extreme positions of Emergence may be worth criticising as theologically risky, but it is no reason to dismiss many of the healthy and positive lessons the movement is demonstrating. I briefly mentioned a few reasons that I think are worthy for consideration.

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no-man (1): I agree that it is healthy to reconsider what “apostleship” means. Emerging types are not the first to see discipleship and apostleship, for example, as descriptive roles and states more than proscriptive, rigid titles of empowerment or authority. I think Emerging believers are taking the emphasis the next step, though. Not only are they revisiting the traditional discussion of authority, but they are questioning the rigidity of denominational/institutional thinking (even among Protestantism) by driving the discussion not necessarily always away from theology, but toward seeing missional, purposeful action as the most important.

I don’t dislike Brian by any means but some of his positions are seen as risky to many Christians as trad. Christianity is viewed as risky by LDS persons. Therefore, even moderated Emerging positions can be very radical appearing for Mormons. I would like to see Emerging views grow more persuasive and influential for Christian living, so the most extreme and risky need to have some moderation, in my view in order for the memes to catch on.

Still, I like Emergents like Brian McLaren out there giving evangelicalism some of its shake-up. Some of the pendulum is bound to swing back from the more extreme positions, and the net gain for evangelicalism will be healthy progress. I don’t think Reformed theology Emerging types are the only solution, either, but they offer a good counterbalance. And I’m certainly united with even the spirituality of believers like Brian in opposing what the growth of Prosperity Gospel churches and “The Religious Right” churches are doing (and have done) to American evangelical Christianity.

Anyhow, I’d recommend interested readers to John’s thread to check out the Jesus Shaped Spirituality blog. It’s a good place to follow “post-evangelical” approaches to Christianity.

This is news?

Why be excited about his message? because he’s studying the New Testament (and Old Testament) and looking for the core message in terms of daily living, charity, justice, and mercy. It’s always useful to go back to the basics and figure out where you can improve, and he honestly points out weaknesses in the evangelical culture in a very open way.

It has been a healthy exercise for me to read his books and compare my faith with his, especially during a time when my interest in Mormon culture is fading. I was struck, for example, by an idea in his Finding Our Way that in Jesus’ scheme of things, people first became disciples (students) so they could learn to become apostles (sharing the word with others). My first response was that he didn’t get what an “apostle” is, but then I realized… we can all be “apostles” in the sense that we are called to go forth, serve, and teach others. Why aren’t we all acting like “apostles”?