janean said: Kalled I don't mean any disrespect to you, but I just can't see how you see any value in McLaren. Surely there is somebody out there from Christian Orthodoxy that's addressed postmodernity and reaching today's generation. Why turn to McLaren for any answers (which he's very, very short on clarity). McLaren is definately not coming from this boat (orthodoxy). And McLaren is running around with some very problemsome folks - Steve Chalke (McLaren's endorsed his book), Alan Jones, McLaren says that NT Wright has been very influential in his writings, etc. And I don't even have a "Reformed" background and I see this, I'm just a Christian who knows the Word and I can clearly see (and my husband too) that McLaren is a false teacher. He's got another book coming out in the Spring too - the title is "The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that could Change Everthing". Hmmm.....what's this one going to say?
I didn't take anything you said as disrespect to me, so you're fine <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
As far as what I see in McLaren's writing as of value, it gives a very real look at the perspective the majority of Christians in our churches have today. The people in our churches, whether they will come out and say it or not, believe that people from other faiths will be in heaven with us even if they don't believe the Gospel or are hostile to it. He also states it in the way that the people in our churches would say it. We need to understand where our people are at if we are to minister effectively to them.
Secondly, He does a good job of pointing out the 7 different Jesuses he has found in his life (A Generous Orthodoxy). I thought this was very eye-opening having been raised Baptist. It didn't seem that the views of Jesus that various Cristian groups have are wrong, but they are putting their focus in one area rather than the entirety of Jesus and His life and ministry. This idea is something that all Christian traditions can learn from.
Also, McLaren is not ashamed of what he believes, and because he's not, his works are readily accessible. Granted, Orthodox people are out there and readily accessible, but there are not many Orthodox writers writing to the 18-30 age group. Most of it is directed at people (and a lot of the time women) in their 40's and on up. McLaren writes boldly to the people who the church has been overlooking for a long time...the people fresh out of youth group, in college, and just out of college. The lost generation in most of our churches. We can learn from his example and start actually ministering to people my age. That is what he is doing afterall. I'm not saying promote his beliefs, but do some ministry where it is obviously needed.
Lastly, McLaren promotes thinking among Christians (as does Rob Bell and others). Yes, Orthodox authors do this, but they do so to make people think about what they already believe and reinforce beliefs already held by the individual. McLaren and others actually talk about and inspire genuine thought and questioning. I don't understand why this is such a bad thing.
