Questions from October - Part I
October
Subject: Thank You
I just finished reading the first half of "The Last Word, and the Word ?After That." I'm reeling from the information I just attempted to take ?in. I think I'm going to take a little break to fully absorb the fist ?part. In the mean time I wanted to send you a note.
A few years ago I began reading the trilogy, and have been patiently ?awaiting the arrival of the last book. When I began this journey with ?Neil and Dan I was in full time youth ministry that was until I became ?a statistic, and ended my time in full time church ministry after only ?a year. Reading "A New Kind Of Christian" was an awesome experience, ?because it finally gave me a vocabulary to use for the thoughts and ?feelings I was having at the time. I started reading all of your ?books, and devouring them one by one. By the time I read "The Story We ?Find Ourselves In" I had resigned from my job as a youth minister, and ?was so angry with the church, I couldn't even go into one without ?having a panic attack. I don't even know why I kept reading and ?studding, but I think over the almost two year period I was not ?involved with a church community I learned and grew more than I ever ?have with one. I'm working through the Generous Orthodoxy still, but ?have had more difficulty with it than the others. It seemed that all ?of the other books just melted into me, but that one I really have to ?take my time with.
I've had those times similar to the ones Dan was struggling through in ?this last book, where you just get so overwhelmed with emotion you ?feel sick. It's amazing though that for the entire struggle there is ?always another side, and you look back and wonder why the situation ?had to be so hard to live through, because in the end the solution ?wasn't nearly as painful.
I identified a lot with Jess in this last one, as I have struggled ?with so much of the same for years. I've also been reading Walter ?Wangrin Junior's books The Book of God, and Paul, because it's some ?how helpful to read the context of the bible, and not just the verses. ?I know that they are not translations, and that there are issues with ?these books being thought of as new translations, which they are ?definitely not. I do however think this is a way that a post modern ?person can gain a fuller grasp of the whole point of the bible, ?without getting so bogged down in proving and deconstructing the ?story.
I know it's supposed to be the end with the trilogy, as you've ?addressed Christianity in our culture, creationism and evolution, and ?now hell and judgment, but I'd still love to read more about other ?issues from these characters, as they have touched me, too. Somehow ?grasping these messages is just so much easier and more fun when they ?are coming through characters.
I have found so much love an encouragement in your writings, and I ?just wanted you to know how helpful you've been in my faith walk. I ?started going to church again last November, when I began dating a ?Christian man who was going through some of the same struggles I had ?been. We decided that finding faith again was going to part of our ?walk together from the beginning, and so far it has been. On September ?11th we joined a church together. In August I finally talked him into ?reading "A New Kind of Christian," and he called me to let me know ?that he sat down and read the whole thing in one sitting, because it ?just grabbed him. He's been working through "The Story We Find ?Ourselves In," as a scientist who is a Christian; it has taken him ?more thought time throughout. I'm really looking forward to him ?reading "The Last Word..." so we can talk this through as well.
You've been such a huge influence in my life, and yet our paths have ?never really crossed. I just wanted you to know how important you've ?been to so many people, and as I continue to touch others in my daily ?ministry of being a child of God, you will continue to. Thank you!
A: Thanks for this note. It means a lot to me that you would write. This is the kind of note that I wish people would read who feel that these books are destructive or undermining to faith. I’m so glad you have been helped. Many of us would not be able to continue in faith if it had to be within some of the old boxes.
Subject: Question
Pastor McLaren,
One of your parishioners John gave me your email address and book to read: Finding Faith. I have been talking with John over the last several months about the inherency of God's word and the importance of believing it as God Testimony to His people delivered through men. John seems to me, not to fully believe in God's word, the Bible, as being entirely true. My stance it that it is all true or not true at all. I was wondering what your thoughts were on this subject.
In addition, how can Jesus say that: "I am the way and the truth and the life." Can we believe this. I look to the book "More Then a Carpenter" for the answer to that question. Once again. God's word has to be entirely true or not true at all. Why bother reading it if it is not all true.
A: First, let me reassure you: yes, I believe in the Bible and I believe Jesus is the way, truth, and life. I really like the word “inherency” to describe the way God’s voice is inherent throughout the Bible. My guess, though, is you intended to use the word “inerrancy.” I discuss that term a bit in my book “A Generous Orthodoxy.” But from the sound of your note, my guess is that my books aren’t really going to be that helpful for you. You already feel you have the right understanding of things, and I don’t want to upset that at all. God bless you!
I’m not sure which “John” you’re referring to, but if he’s like a lot of people at Cedar Ridge, he came to us as a seeker or skeptic. We welcome people at all stages of their journey of faith and we try to help them keep taking the next step toward God and the life God offers us. Many people came to Cedar Ridge with a great dislike for the Bible because of the way people have used it to “beat them into submission,” and many others came with no knowledge of the Bible at all. So, we try to help them learn to understand and live by the message of the Bible, and we don’t push them to affirm words like “inerrancy,” since it isn’t in the Bible anyway. We try to affirm about the Bible what it says about itself. I hope you will not see that as wrong, and I hope you and I can both encourage John in the faith, and not put any destructive obstacles in his way.
Subject: Chaos at the door
I am in the midst of my third read through “Story We Find Ourselves In”. The thoughts expressed by Neo’s character regarding the future pushing out the past from the present are in my thoughts. One statement in the midst has struck me: “…in the ancient world, inn the world of the Bible, chaos was always at the door.” What is the thinking / sources / stories from the ancient world that leads to this statement? Thank you!
A: I’m a student of literature, so I suppose I could recommend The Epic of Gilgamesh, for example. One of my favorite books of “macro-history” is Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel.” Walter Brueggemann’s books have also been helpful to me in approaching the Old Testament with more sensitivity to how its original hearers would have heard it.
Subject: Meeting you was a pleasure
Dear Brian,
You know I'm really glad I got to meet you (Emergent Gathering I was the young history major) before reading any of your books. Partly because I would have thought you were extraordinarily strange. You're chapter on conteplative/charismatic outlooks reminded me of some new ager, but after meeting you I noticed that you somehow are more in tune with nature (I don't know if you remember or not but you noticed a really small lizard in a mess of grass, I walked right past). Another reason that I'm glad that I had not read any of you're books: I would have been very intimidated. But I probably would have gotten over that fairly quickly because you are very personable and inviting.
Thank you for the tip on Macro-History and looking forward to next year,
A: Glad to have met you too. Interestingly, I just mentioned macro-history in the preceding post. I’m glad that I seem less strange in person than in writing – it could be the other way around, I guess!
Subject: A new kind of gathering/ekklessia
HI there,
Where do I even start this email? There is so much going on in my heart, mind and spirit, so many questions and doubts. But at the same time I have undergone an awakening in my life – I sense God calling me to a life of significance.
I have an all-consuming passion to live the life as a follower of Jesus Christ and in His Way. This passion motivates me to reach out to people in the emerging culture. I have been trained as a pastor, but I realize that my training might hold me back more than equipping me to do this effectively in the postmodern world. I have a growing dissatisfaction with how the modern church operates, but I do not always have the alternative. It is easier to fall back on default – ie in the ways that I was trained.
The modern church is so far removed from the band of disciples we read about in Acts. I think we are so bogged down in our little agendas and programmes that we don’t even realize that the world is dying out there. We are so concerned about our polished looks that we loose realness. We talk about matters that are so far removed from our world. We become a sub culture.
I believe that God is calling me to find new ways of BEING church – yes please read that again – I am not talking of DOING church differently. Ultimately all models will have a shelf-life. I think these times ask for new ways of BEING church that will then translate into how we DO things. Church should be the conveyor of good news to people – and I believe that calls for being involved in the needs of a community.
I do not want to start something out of rebellion or work against the local church where I am employed. I want to serve the bigger Body AND I want to serve my generation.
A few questions that I would like to ask you (and a few others) are (again these questions tend to be more around DOING than BEING, but I have to start somewhere!)
- How does one start a new kind of church? Will it still have one main gathering on Sundays?
- Will we still have all the different elements – ie singing, preaching?
- How will you find out where and what the needs are of the community?
- How do you connect your vision with others?
I would love to start a conversation around what a new Kind of church will look for new kinds of people, so that we can grow into a new kind of Christian.
A: First, I notice you’re from South Africa. I hope I’ll get to meet you when I’m there soon. And really – because your questions are so important that I couldn’t possibly answer them in this short space – an even better thing would be for you to meet the people I’ll be with in South Africa. You could find some peers to explore these questions together. At the end of the day, I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer to any of your questions: each one must be worked out in its local context. That’s what makes those questions so important … and also that’s why it’s so good to connect with others who are asking them, so you can converse and explore them together. I’d encourage you to connect with some people in your area via amahoro.info. God bless you!
XXXXX
Subject:
Hey Brian, ? ?I'm a student, studying ministry. Right now I'm doing an internship at a church in Australia. I guess through my limited experience I have noticed the difficulty of reaching non-Christians through an evangelical church. There are so many barriers. I see Jesus reaching people by being with them but working in a church I hardly ever get time to spend with non-Christians. What is the balance between maintaining a community and truly reaching people for Christ? Is one a catalyst for the other? I realize you're probably a busy man but if you could at least forward this to somebody who could dialogue with me or answer my question that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks friend,
A: This is an important question! Ideally, our churches would welcome the new folk, but many of our “evangelical” churches are not actually very true to the name. In the meantime, I would encourage you to either a) plan to plant a church that sees its identity as welcoming in people to mentor them as disciples, or b) do a good job working in a traditional church, but also lead a home group where you focus on mentoring non-Christians in the ways of Christ. You may or may not want to bring them into the church (your “day job”) – that will depend on the church. Hope that helps!
Subject: Question from the West Coast
Brian...
I am a college-age pastor in Oregon who has began his journey in seeing ?Christianity in a new way (very to the type of person caricatured in your ?trilogy). I am part of a church that is rabidly holding onto an older form ?of faith so very different than the one I am beginning to develop. Here is ?my question. How can I be an advocate for change in my church without ?creating anger and discord? Or in other words...how can I be a Martin ?Luther in my world without causing more division in the church? I am for ?sure not offering the notion that you have caused me to go against my ?church, but rather have that your writings (and speaking engagements that I ?have seen) have caused me to see in a new perspective. Hope this makes ?sense, and thank you for your honesty and love.
A: Martin Luther and John Wesley both wanted to do what you are dreaming of. Both ultimately found it impossible to change the groups they sought to reform. Ultimately, we need to be as gracious as possible … patient, kind, wise, loving, humble … and see what God does. Some things are out of our hands!
Subject: favor
Brian D. McLaren,
May the sustaining grace of our God be with you.
Let me first introduce to you myself. I am X, a pastor-teacher of X Fundamental Baptist Church. By the way, the word X is the name of our Village where our chapel is located. Here is the exact address of our chapel: X Philippines.
I am a graduate of Bachelor of Theology Major in Biblical Literature-Greek & Hebrew (Bachelor’s degree), 1997-2001 at Center for Biblical Studies Institute and Seminary. Moreover, by the grace of God last March 2004, I finished my studies in the Masters in Biblical Studies (Master’s degree), 2001-2004 at the same school where I also got my BTH degree.
I just want to know your personal assessment concerning “The New Perspective on Paul” and the three persons- P. Sanders, James D. G. Dunn and Tom Wright behind this movement.
Also, may you send me one copy of your book (Church in Emerging Culture, Five Perspectiv) for free. I will greatly appreciate it.
Thank you! Continue serving the Lord.
A sinner saved by God’s grace alone,
A: As you can imagine, I receive a lot of request for free books. I have sent quite a few out, but can not always say yes. I have read a lot of Tom Wright’s books, and I have nothing but good to say about his work. He has helped me read Paul in a fresh way that makes Paul’s message more in line with Jesus’ message, and brings unity to the whole New and Old Testaments for me. I highly recommend his work. Some fundamentalists can’t accept what he’s saying, which I understand because I grew up in such a context. But I have found his approach to open up the Scriptures to a richer interpretation, and one that seems more authentic and respectful of the text.
Subject: Some Thoughts
Hey Brian
I'm sure you have TONS of emails to read, so I realise you mightn't ?have much time to get back to everyone. I firstly just wanted to ?thank you for writing such inspiring material, i've read (ANKOC, More ?ready than you realise and a generous orthodoxy) so far. I can relate ?a lot to what you say about the 'christian' cultural of the US because ?I can see parallels between it and where I live (Northern Ireland). ?I've never been so strechted in my thinking since reading your books ?though, hehe sometimes it's such a great thing other times I get ?confused but I just love how you are willing to dig into the depths of ?everything and try and find the best way to view things and live to ?bring the kingdom of God into this world.
I've had so many debates and thoughts come out of reading your books, ?although have come against some negativity as i'm sure you're used to ?by now. One thing I wanted to ask was about your chapter about ?Pentecostals/Charasmatics in 'A Generous Orthodoxy'. My dad read the ?book and he kinda tohught you were putting all of the charasmatic ?movement down due to some bad experiences you've had, he said how ?could you deny the scripture on the baptism of the spirit in ?corinthians. So i guess what i'm asking is do you see the whole ?charasmatic belief system as wrong or do you embrace the baptism of ?the Holy Spirit?
Also from 'More ready than you realise', I noticed there was a line ?saying 'You were coming at evangelism from a christian perspective so ?you were more qualified for that and not for Buddhist, muslim, jewish ?evangelism and that others would be more qualified for that. Just ?wondered what you meant by that, as wouldnt these be totally contrary ?to Jesus' teaching? Although I have to admit I totally struggle with ?these issues because I can't see how people who embrace 'Christianity' ?and may be false are redeemed and others who may be in buddhism or ?whatever and be totally genuine in heart, and seek for God could be ?excluded. But at the same time I do believe in Jesus as the way to ?God, so it's like how could buddhist or muslim evangelism be valid at ?all then? Wouldn't it be a waste of Jesus death?
I don't know, I guess i'm confused and messed up about some things. I ?really like what i've read within the emerging conversation but ?sometimes all the different views and denominations screw my mind up ?to the point I don't know what way to interpret the bible, I guess I ?need revelation from the Holy Spirit, I think we all have our biases ?and hypocrises whether non-emergent or emergent, but I commend you on ?trying to search and question things and try and put right what has ?been wrong in christianity.
I don't really know if what i'm saying is making sense, I find it hard ?to put into words what i'm getting at, so if that didnt make much ?sense, sorry!
All the best with your ministry:) ?Peace
A: Thanks for your questions. You might find some friends and conversation partners through Ikon in Belfast – my friend Pete Rollins helps lead that community.
Your dad’s question reflects a number of questions I receive. If I don’t accept a particular interpretation of a Biblical passage, people say I’m rejecting the passage. So, I am very familiar with the Pentecostal reading of the book of Acts and I Cor. 12-14, etc. I completely affirm that there is such a thing as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but I don’t limit it to the interpretation of many charismatics. (On the other hand, I don’t write off charismatic experiences like some of my noncharismatic friends do.)
Thanks for asking about the “More Ready” passage. I was trying to model the respect for other religions that I hope they will give to me. I wasn’t saying that Buddhist evangelism (attempts to spread their faith and practice) is just as true as Christian evangelism, but I was saying that it exists and I, being a Christian, am not the best person to speak about it. I was acknowledging that I’m talking about Christian evangelism because I am a Christian. I hope that clarifies things. Sometimes we Christians act as if simply acknowledging that other traditions exist is somehow showing a lack of commitment to Christ. I don’t get that!
Thanks for your questions. May God continue to bless you in your growth in Christ!
Subject: THANKS!
Brian,
Don't know if you'll ever read this, but I just wanted to say thanks... and keep up the good work. I fell into your writings at the Youth Specialties Convention in 2004, and since that time I am working through your books. I loved the New Kind Of Christian Trilogy. Thank you for being willing to push at times. I know that you get a ton of criticism (People here at the church that I work at are skeptical of this new movement)... but this is one person that you have helped on his spiritual journey.
I am a Pastors Kid, and have been in ministry for about 7 years now. I'm the youth pastor at my dad's church, and recently I went through the same type of experience as Dan did in the trilogy. I was unsatisfied with the answers and I wanted more. Your books have opened up a whole new world for me, helped me deconstruct my faith, and put it back together again. On the other side I have a new respect/admiration for the Bible. I am able to read it again with anticipation and excitement. Something that was drained from me while working in a ministry that I felt was draining me of my faith. You have been a breath of fresh air, and if you ever read this I hope that it will encourage you to keep it up!
You may have some detractors, but you have many who you have helped in great ways! THANK YOU!
A: Thanks, brother, for this encouragement. Keep up the good work!
Subject: just a quick request
Dear Brian,
I enjoyed listening to your web site MP3 ‘what is the emerging church – artistic’. Are you able to provide the bokk/author reference please for your quote from an Irish theologian concerning, ‘…revelation…is knowing God to be unknowable.’ Thank you so much for your ministry which I appreciate, and support.
Perhaps I might tell you a little of myself…
I’m a Pastor working in London, based on an inner city housing estate with all the associated ‘urban’ problems. Though, my primary expertise is in change consultancy; and I run a separate business that pays my salary, and relieves this burden from the local fellowship. My passion and skill is found when working in organisations, encouraging conversations for change, reflective practice, story telling etc. So this being my preferred style, I have tended (for 15 years now) to shape our fellowship towards values of openness, inclusion, critical reflection, journeying, etc. As a result our fellowship has become open in attitude without compromising core values and beliefs, and quite changed from our former Conservative nature. Whilst I’m perfectly content with my ‘practitioner’ approach to development, I’m entering a phase of critical theological reflection in order to ground my experience/expertise. I’m so thrilled to have found a wider community of inquiry, and really appreciate your contribution. To structure my own development I’ve recently embarked on post grad studies in Pastoral Leadership, and am researching concerning emergent church and learning systems. Hence my request for the reference above!
A: Yes – this quote came from Peter Rollins upcoming book, How (Not) to Speak of God. I think you’ll really enjoy it. He’s your neighbor from Northern Ireland.
Subject: Am I a "sellout"?
Brian, ? My name is X and I am a Middle School Pastor at a church in X. ?I am a friend of X, who attends CRCC and is a law student at the ?University if Maryland. He told me that he met you and made some contacts ?through the International Justice Mission. X and I interned together at ?a church in Arizona where we met X, of PictureShock productions. ?Enough name dropping. I'm sure you get many, many, many emails so even if I ?don't get a response hopefully even just sitting and writing the email will ?help me process internally.
I started reading ANKOC and Finding Faith when I was a Senior in College. I ?had recently had a difficult year with the death of a close family member and ?other relationship break-ups and the angst of trying to figure out what I would ?do with my life. But God proved faithful to see me through and I love ?minsitering to and loving Junior Highers and helping train/teach other adults ?how to minister to them as well. I think its a good fit. Part of God's ?faithfulness I wholeheartedly believe was in reading some of your work along ?with "Adventures in Missing the Point". What God put in your heart helped ?shape mine a little and help me see a God who was bigger then formulas or my ?own small thoughts. For that I am thankful. I appreciate how consistently you ?have upheld humility, understanding, and the ultimate need to reach people ?(postmodern, modern, premodern, klingon, etc...) with the love of God in Christ ?Jesus.
But recently I have been getting introspective again and would appreciate any ?insight you could provide though I understand about 30,000 people a day ?probably email you with good and bad questions so even if this email is only ?read by a personal assistant, any help they could provide would be appreciated. ? When in college, and right after college, I had this strange sense of ?superiority over others in that I thought that I had found the "true and ?hidden" gospel of emergent. I snickered at other churches I categorized as ?"futile", "uncaring", "misguided", or "out-dated". I wore the title emergent ?like it was a badge of honor and those who didn't see or agree with what I ?thought felt superior to. Thankfully God has a way of disciplining those he ?loves and while I still see much beauty and possibility in what God is going to ?do and is doing right now around us that I would still consider myself ?"emergent". But I fear as I know you have written and spoken on in various ?ways, that the term "emergent" has become a loaded word that translates into ?"orthodox" for some (as I used to think), "trendy" or "fad" for others, ?"twentysomethings" for still others, etc... you get point.
At the church where I am currently serving within the past 6 months virtually ?the entire Student Team has left after trying to oust the Senior Pastor and ?some other leaders. They wore the "emergent" title and accused the church of ?being too like Willow Creek and too focused on seekers while the real focus ?should be on discipleship and the emerging church. The split has been and is ?still painful. They have started a new church and have taken some people with ?them. I was hired in the middle of this as the replacement to one who has ?recently left. I am now experiencing some of the fall-out of the departure as ?there are students still recovering from the loss of one pastor and slowly ?adapting to a new and different pastor, not to mention the adults who ?volunteered in the ministry.
I suppose the real heart of what I am asking is that when I consider my unique ?circumstances (although I think disagreements within churches are anything but ?unique), within my spirit there is a slight sense of "am I a sell-out?" Is ?really the best way to reach people in 2005/06 leaving existing congragations ?and starting over? I have loved my time here so far and have been welcomed by ?people of all ages. My Senior Pastor has read many of your books and agrees ?with many parts! But am I a sell-out to the real emerging church? Part of why ?I love minsitering to Junior Highers is that I believe they and their friends ?are the future of the church I and I believe strongly in how important it is ?now to soak adolecsents in the love of Christ. But I see here in X, and ?in other places, that people are leaving their churches and starting new ?"emergent" or "postmodern" communities. Surely some leave by choice and some ?leave by force but this saddens me. I grew up in a church that loved me and ?loved other people. I do see the need for some revisting of long-held but not ?necessarily absolutely true elements but I am afraid that many people in my ?generation and beyond will leave the current church and I wonder if that is ?really the best way. Any advice or input you have I would greatly appreciate. ?Sorry this is so long, I told you I would process things as I wrote!
A: I’m so glad you wrote. It is tragic when people, in the name of “emergent” or anything else, act in ways that are divisive or – as you said – superior, condescending, or elitist. I understand that many of these people are hurt, and are reacting from being wounded, and I don’t want to understate the wrongness of the way they are sometimes treated … but if we don’t learn to handle mistreatment with a gracious spirit, how can we claim to follow Christ? So, I would say that if you’re serving at this church with a good spirit – loving those who stayed and those who left alike, you’re being more truly “emergent” than people who have a negative, judgmental, or divisive attitude.
The question about whether people should stay at a church or leave it is complex. If people are not wanted in a church, I don’t think they should stay. It’s more gracious to quietly and respectfully leave – as I Cor. 13 says, “Love is not rude.” If a person feels she is unable to express her gifts, vision, passion, etc., in a certain context, perhaps it is a matter of stewardship to go elsewhere. But I think people should stay and bless whatever congregation they are in as long as they can, and only leave when they feel they must before God, and if they do leave, to do so with a sweet spirit – humble, grateful, kind, peaceful. Jesus said that peacemakers are blessed.
Subject: what about scripture
Brian,
Thank you so much for the questions you have been asking in all of your books and for helping to point us in the right direction by pointing us to a closer relationship with Christ. I can only believe we will be in greater spiritual health and be more able to benefit our neighbors in the world because of this.
One question that I have that continues to nag me (and others I know), often lies just under the surface of polite christian conversation. "Exactly what kind of relationship should we have with the bible"? Another way to ask it might be "Do we approach the bible as an answer book". "How are we to interact with this book?" Its really the same question to me but asked from some different angels with some different nuancing. I know all of the traditional answers both conservative and liberal but am curious if you will be addressing this (in depth) in a book or perhaps an article you have written in the past?
A: I address it briefly in A Generous Orthodoxy. I’d recommend N. T. Wright’s article on the Bible, available at his webpage (google-able). He also has a good book out on the subject called “The Last Word.”
Subject: Dogging Issues
Hi Brian,
I think you are a very thoughtful Christian. I don’t agree with Christians, or so called Christians, that turn to character assassination when they disagree with another brother, like they seem to have done in your case - all over the web. Just like I don’t agree with people like X, who hatefully attacks President Bush (one who proclaims Christ), and other people who disagree with X's own views. I actually defended X on his blog, not for his position or the fact that he preaches hateful propaganda towards those who claim Christ, but differ from his views on his blog. I did this to defend his right to be treated with human dignity, in response to a hateful, anonymous blogger who treated X like a piece of sh-t. Although the blogger treated X the way X treats President Bush. You sow what you reap. See what I mean. How does this back and forth hatred, via character assassination, between Christians help bring unity. I’m glad you do not act like any of these attack dog Christians or so-called Christians.
We are not to attack Christians, or non-Christians for that matter, but we, as Christians are to speak ‘the truth’ in love. We are to do this towards non-Christians and to Christians especially, since they follow Christ.
So, I am going to speak to you, not as a know it all, but as a Christian Brother. I’ve noticed you are good at dogging direct answers to questions, and redirecting them to your particular pet issues. I know our Master did this on meaningless issues, meant to trap Him. But on serious issues He stood firm and spoke the truth in love, even when it caused religious division. Jesus never taught Christian to Christian, or Christian to non-Christian unity at all costs.
Jesus said: Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household."
This is not a call to war. War should be a last resort, but it should not be ruled out completely. There are times when war is necessary to overthrow oppressors or to protect the innocent.
Jesus taught that Christians should come to unity, but without compromising truth.
I believe, that the above scripture means that we will be at odds with anyone who won’t follow the truth. Especially non-Christians, because Christ’s ways (hopefully our ways) would conflict with the World’s. This does not mean we should label non-Christains personally as evil, that’s God’s job if they refuse to repent of their sin. We should love them not attack them, but that doesn’t mean we should gloss over their sin. We must stand for God’s righteous ways, which were given to us not to spoil life, but to enhance life.
For example we should not be ambiguous on issues of sin, like homosexuality, adultry, shacking up (any sex outside of marriage) or anyother sin you can name. We should love the person in their fallen condition, just like God does so towards them and us. It is not loving to not tell someone who is driving off an unfinished bridge, that its o.k. to drive off the bridge. That God loves them anyway and that they don’t need to turn around (repent) and be safe.
True love means that you tell that man, or woman, that you care for them so much that you need to tell them that they are on a destructive path. That is what the master did for us.
So, by His example, we should warn those who are in danger to turn around from destructive behavior and receive His Love.
[You can black out X’s name, but leave the comments about him, only if using his name will prevent you from using this letter on your site.]
If you choose not to use this letter please respond to me in private as to why. I will keep it private. I believe, though, this would be a good topic for public forum, if true Christian debate and transparency about yourself is what you are really interested in accomplishing. And from reading your stuff, I believe you are about that. I hope! We need honest people in Christian discourse no matter what their views. Whether they be correct views (Christ’s), wrong views (not Christ’s) or multiple correct views (but differing views based on personal preference-neither being wrong).
A: Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If I interpret you correctly, you’re saying that you appreciate that I am not an attack-dog type of Christian, but you think I dodge issues. I’m not sure how to respond beyond saying thanks for your feedback.
Subject:
Comments: ?Dear Emergent-
I hope this message finds you well, full of God and joy. My name is X, ?and I am a 27 year-old Asian American Jesus follower down in the San Diego ?area. The following is not meant to offend, but is something I would really ?like a response to.
I'm kind of frustrated with how the "emergent church" has been presented, ?mostly because it's been so white. I know there are different things going ?on to try and address that issue (I remember reading a newsletter Brian sent ?out that talked about the need to get more non-Western voices, and I know ?there are some global participants listed on line), but still, I thought a ?truly multicultural front and base would be part of the picture by now on ?the US front. I say all this because the consequences of this deficit, I ?believe, are detrimental. A couple thoughts:
- It doesn't help with being missional, at least in California where ?white ?people are a minority (including in most of the major universities, the hub ?of the future), and in our global world. The image presented- that this is ?the church of the future- does a disservice to our witness. ?- It doesn't help white Christians who are trying to be on the edge of ?what is emerging, especially if our world in the US is increasingly ?non-white. Will budding white Christians lose out on what God wants to do ?through His multicultural body here? Will they be unable to be truly ?effective in God's agenda "to the nations?"
I know I may be speaking out of total ignorance, but these are my feelings ?based on what I have seen presented about the Emerging Church, whether it be ?through other sources or through the image presented in what you present. ?Maybe the problem isn't you, but it's other Christians who see the emerging ?church as the next church. If so that's rather weird, given that God isn't ?white (or Asian, for that matter). Thanks for reading; if you found it ?offensive, please let me know. I'd love a response because I think we're all ?in this together.
A: Thanks for your thoughts. I can’t speak for emergent – I’m just a participant and not “the” spokesperson. It’s hard to have a single spokesperson for a conversation. In fact, your email is now officially part of the conversation – so you are a participant too, and your voice is being heard.
I really agree with you that emergent must be a multiracial, multicultural conversation. In fact, I’m spending a good part of this year traveling around the world seeking to bring more diverse voices into the network. I want to encourage you to get involved – perhaps via forming or joining a cohort in your area (see emergentvillage.com).
I’d also add that emergent has been working hard in this area, and though we have a long way to go, we at least know there’s a problem. Segregation and covert racism go very deep in all our American institutions, including the church (some would say “especially”). The road to reconciliation and collaboration is not easy or short, but it’s a road we must take. I hope we can be companions on this journey.
Subject: ?A GENEROUS OTHODOXY
Brian McLaren
Comments: ?hello -- I heard you at St. Lukes Pastors Conference a couple of years ago.
I enjoyed the book immenensely -- appreciate your literature degree, which ?glows there!
I have several questions as a newby to all this emergent stuff:
1. What is your stance toward Christians like me, who do not accept the ?creeds or the idea of Christianity being the only true doctrine/way to God?
2. How do you handle this paradox of interfaith openness as "equals" if you ?continue to insist that Christianity is really the only "right" or "true" ?revelatory Word of God? That stance remains an insurmountable wall between ?humans, regardless of what abstract language is used to soften it's surface.
And a comment: I am 61 years old, mother of 3, grandmother of 10, bible ?teacher of 25 years teaching men and women both. I'm a spiritual director, ?having began in the Lutheran tradition, spending 20 years in charismatic ?fundamentalism, 2 years getting certified at a Benedictine Monestary and 5 ?years studying early history from both Christian and other religious and ?non-religious sources. Am I welcome as a freind of emergentvillage if I ?choose to define myself as a Christian without connection to the ?doctrine/dogma worked out back then? I see greatness and blessing in your ?work and a breath of fresh air so desperately needed, but is agreement with ?what are termed "orthodox" belief systems a necessity? Would you define me ?as a "non-Christian" if I don't espouse those beliefs? I think we're ?approaching an era in spiritual maturity where each of us should have the ?freedom to define our own selves and our own path and let others judge only ?the fruit of our lives, not our heart relationship with whoever we may label ?God. What do you think?
Thanks again for a beautiful book and for all of your sacrificial work for ?the sake of the Reign of Love, as our friend Marcus Borg defines God's ?kingdom!Peace!
A: Thanks for writing! As you’ve seen in other postings, I have a lot of people saying I’m way too open, not critical enough, too accepting, etc. If they’re reading now, they’re hoping I’ll say that you’re a nonChristian, hell-bound, etc., etc. But I believe we are all saved by grace through faith, not by correct belief. Whatever a person’s religion or creed or lack thereof, I try to love and accept people and share and learn all I can with them. We don’t have to agree for there to be a warm and neighborly relation between us. If we had more time to talk, I’d want to hear your story about your journey of faith, what about the creeds bothers you, and what you believe instead. Perhaps someday!
Subject: ?Open Letter to Worship Songwriters article
Comments: ?Hi Brian, ?I just finished reading your "Open Letter to Worship Songwriters" article at ?www.emergentvillage.com . I thought I would let you know that I appreciated ?you, as a leader in the church, speaking up about the mind-numbing music and ?lyrics popularized in worship music today. As a jazz pianist with classical ?music composition training, it has pained me to work as a music director in ?churches with the powerful expectation I make my ministry an exact copy of ?whatever happens to be popular at the time. I'm actually in the midst of ?taking time off from church music directing duties while I search for a way, ?or a place, or a community in which I can share the depth of God's gift of ?music in a renewed sense. If you are aware of any formally organized groups ?that are working towards the goals outlined in your article, I would love to ?know about them. (By the way, I highly recommend using a 5/4 or 7/4 meter ?with the Psalms. It can really bring out the text!) :-)
A: This would be a great cohort to organize via emergent village – and perhaps we should plan a gathering for serious songwriters and composers sometime. We should be sure to have some percussionists to help us with some good jazz rhythms too!
Subject: ?Worship songs
Dear Brother Brian, ?I have just read, with much appreciation, your (An Open Letter to Worship ?Songwriters) and John's (a Postscript...) articles on the ?www.emergentvillage.com website. I thank God for the insight displayed. ?There is yet a further issue that I would appreciate your comment on and ?that is concerning the role of the gathered community present at the singing ?of these songs. So much of what I am seeing today tends towards ?"entertainment" by a "worship team" or, at very best, showing the ?congregation how the performers are able to "worship" God. Very rarely does ?one get the impression that the "worship team" has as its motivation the ?assisting of the congregation in their corporate worship of God. Personally, ?I have been in situations where there has just been an old piano, an old ?pianist, a room full of people of every age, some sobering thought provoking ?and inspirational preaching and some singing of songs rich in theological ?content resulting in the swell of praise and worship from hearts and voices ?lifted in praise to our Majestic Triune God that has been mentally and ?emotionally (and physically) moving. I miss that (or more importantly, God ?is missing that, we are robbing Him of that which is His due). Please share ?with me your thoughts on this matter and/or point me in the direction of ?some reading where you believe this aspect has been adequately dealt with. ?Your brother in His glorious service.
South Africa ?
A: I couldn’t agree more. One of the downsides of contemporary music is that it requires a lot of equipment. I remember being in your beautiful country when a Zulu fellow taught us a Zulu song. It involved creating rhythm with our hands clapping and striking on our knees, and just singing a simple chant-like melody. Yes – there is a place for complexity, whether technical complexity as with rock and roll and the fascinating sounds that can be created electronically, or with more structural complexity in Mozart of Vivaldi – but there is also a place for simplicity. Sometimes the word “alleluia” says all that can be said!
Subject: Atonement
Me and my friend Vinnie are discussing the view of the Atonement that Mr. McLaren has. He seems to think from what is on this website and from D.A Carson's book that McLaren does not believe that Jesus' death on the cross was anything more then a symbol or a guide of how we should live.
Does Brian McLaren believe that without Jesus' death their is no salvation?
to see our discussion on this topic visit this blog.
http://www.vinniedauer.blogspot.com
A: Thanks for your question. Dr. Carson’s book misrepresented me and a number of my friends in many ways, and this is one of the most unfortunate. Please let your friend know that of course I believe Jesus’ death on the cross was more than a symbol or guide of how we should live, though it certainly has that dimension. And of course I believe that without Jesus’ death there would be no salvation – in this life or beyond. Nor would there be salvation without Jesus’ birth (incarnation), life, teaching, and resurrection. To me, it’s all of a piece, and each part of Jesus’ life/death/resurrection is essential. His death can neither be singled out and the rest thrown away, nor thrown away itself. It is terribly sad that this kind of miscommunication is spread, and I am grateful that you inquired rather than passed on rumors intended to exclude.
Subject: How do we go about change?
Brian,
I've appreciated your writings... I and my wife find ourselves in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand we are committed to a local church community and on the other find ourselves grappling with the issues created by the transition of modernity to postmodernity.
Our desire is to see our church move into becoming a community of believers that brings the gospel of the kingdom into our local community, however, many of our members are tied to formulaic statements of faith (in our case, Calvinism) that really limit their effectiveness.
How do we even start in bringing our fundamentalist brothers and sisters forward? I feel like I will be thrown out should I even voice some of the things I have come to believe... but we see so much potential and so many sincere Christians that we don't want to give up on our church.
A: Thousands of people are struggling with this question, in the US and abroad. I recommend three things.
1. Don’t be contentious, but be an example of Christian charity and commitment in your church. In the spirit of Romans 14, don’t bring up needless dispute. In the spirit of Ephesians 4, be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Or as Paul said to Timothy, be an example of what a believer should be.
2. In your own neighborhood and home, be hospitable and friendly. I would encourage you to focus more on sharing with your unchurched neighbors. See what God does in that regard.
3. Never reject the church. If the church rejects you, accept it graciously and leave with a blessing and gratitude. Don’t feel you have to get in “the last word” or anything like that. It’s God’s church, and you don’t need to feel responsible for their behavior.
I hope that helps!
Subject: What do you think of the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
What do you think about the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren? How does it read in light of the principles that you have enounciated? How does it relate to the principles of the United Methodist Church?
A: Not being officially Methodist (although I love the Wesleyan community) I’m not the one to answer the latter question. Regarding PDL, I think it is one of the best summaries available of principles of basic Christian living. It is accessible and practical. I love Rick Warren and his work. He is doing so much good on so many fronts. There are a few statements in the book that have an overly deterministic tone, in my opinion, but that’s a minor thing compared to the value of the book.
Subject: Seminary Recommendation
Dear Sir,
As a recent college graduate seeking to find the type of seminary described near the end of "A New Kind of Christian" I'm curious to know if you or the Leadership Network have any seminaries you are partnered/affiliated with or would recommend?
Recognizing no place will be perfect, and my perspective and effort will impact a seminary's lasting influence, I'm searching for an institution that will equip, stretch, and challenge me mentally and spiritually. We are all called to be ministers, and I'm not sure if a pastorate is in my future, but I know serving in "ministry" to some degree is my purpose.
Thank you for your willingness to swim against the tide. I look forward to hearing from you.
A: I have worked with Mars Hill Grad School (Seattle), George Fox (Portland), Fuller (LA), and Biblical (PA), and I think they’re all doing good work. If you want to get a PhD, you might need a school more oriented in that direction, but if your call is pastoral ministry, these would be good places to explore.
Subject: Hi from France!
Hi!
first sorry for my english, I am french. Thank you for your understanding! :))
I just was doubting so much about God's existence in my life and in general, about the bible's inconsistencies and strange things written in it, the opposition between sciences and my faith, about the way christian are living and disgusting me to live like they do.... when I read the article from Brian Mac Laren about doubt. I thank you so much for this article. For the first time in my life, i felt like I am on the same wave than someone else, that I am not the only questioning all this and trying to find an answer... The article shows such a sensitivity to this problem. It looks like an exact description of what I am going through and without giving that answers that no sense answers we sometimes get from others christians, without any judgement... Untill now, the only thing i managed to say in my doubt was : Jesus, I don't know, but please come and get me out of this... I don't manage to see you anymore, so come and do something for me. And i felt so bad to only be able to do such a prayer. But now i realise that i might be on the right road with this prayer, because it makes me forces me to only rely on God alone... Even to rely on Him.... Well, strange...
I so much would like to be able to talk about it with someone, but unfortunately I am quite far from where you are and I don't find here anyone I can be open so much open to... Well, if you at least could pray for me and my doubting time...
Thank you so much in advance,
A: As I read and respond to this, I am on the fast train from Paris to Lyons. Perhaps I will meet you in the next few days. You can find some good friends through evangile-et-culture.org and temoins.com or endirect.blogs.com.
Subject: a question...
Brian,
Thank you for your voice in this conversation. Like you have written before, there are people who respond to you with "I thought I was the only one thinking that. I thought I was alone." Add me to that list.
I've read a couple of your books, most recently finishing "A New Kind of Christian" in a few hours. I had received the Trilogy from a friend and am beginning the next book this weekend.
My question is this:
In the Modern construct the ESTJ (of Myers-Briggs) was/is the the model to esteem. This was/ is also the dominant desire of congregations as Pastor. A strong leader... a decision maker... a logical thinker and expounder of Scripture. Folks like myself (INFP) and my guess is that you share several of those letters with me were told we were not Minister material.... or at the least Senior Pastor material. This may be way off base and unfounded...
It seems to me that the "successful" postmodern minister will be one who is mystic, a seeker, at least an NF. The Spiritual guide model. A fellow traveler verses one who has all the answers. Granted, I recognize I'm imposing a Modern convention (personality-type indicators) onto a postmodern minister, but as much as we are searching for new language to describe this epoch, like John used his only available language to describe heaven in Revelation, we have to use the language we have to describe what we see. I feel like I'm drifting here but I hope you follow.
I guess, the long and the short is, I was under the impression (from friends, fellow ministers, etc. ) that an introverted mystic would not make it in church leadership. In the Modern context I might agree. But in Postmodernity it seems to me that story-tellers(those able to share how one's story finds its meaing in His Story...HISTORY) and spiritual mystics are the ones who will most easily adapt and best speak this new language of Postmodernism.
Am I way off base? Your thoughts, please.
A: I think you have some valuable insights in this regard. There has been a lot of study done on leadership styles related to MBTI. Here’s what I hope – that in the church that is emerging, there will be mutual esteem among the NF’s, NT’s, SJ’s, and SP’s. Each has important things to contribute. You probably know that Elizabeth Briggs Myers (I may not have her name right here) wrote a book that evokes I Cor. 12 in the title – “Gifts Differing.”
Subject: Finally, a Parenthetical Bretheren
Brian, ?Only into Chapter 0, but already I like you! I too am an English ?major. I also dabble in writing (more dabbling than writing) and I ?too, am a sucker for parentheses. Whatever else your "orthodoxy" does ?for me spiritually (or does not - as I said I'm in Chapter 0), I feel ?a kindred spirit with anyone who wilts under the pressure of ?parenthetical propositions. I, however, am probably worse, because I ?typically really yield to the temptation when writing poetry. Yikes! ?Thanks
A: Thank (you) for (your) sympathy!
Subject: substitutionary atonement--what's McLaren's stand?
Hi to Brian and everyone at A New Kind of Christian. I'm grateful for your ministry, Brian; I read A Generous Orthodoxy at a time when I was really struggling as a Christian, and God used it to help me see Him in a new way. However, I read a lot of people's opinions saying that you deny the substitutionary atonement of Christ on the Cross. What's your deal, straight up? I'd like to hear it from you.
A: As I said a few posts back, this is a particularly unfortunate consequence of someone writing about me, misrepresenting me, and then that rumor spreading widely. Here’s what I have always said and taught: there are several theories of atonement – Christus victor, ransom, moral influence, penal substitution, etc. I believe all of these theories give us insight into the rich and inexhaustible meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. The penal substitutionary view arose in the Middle Ages; it was unknown in Christian history before that era. It has become so dominant that now many Christians think it IS the gospel. I think it is one window into the gospel, but I believe the gospel is the message of Jesus, that the kingdom of God is at hand, available to all, through Christ.
Subject: Phoenix Arizona
Dear Brian,
If you get this letter, I am interested in starting some sort of ?fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounding the theology and work that ?you speak to. I have been working a 12 step program for codependency and ?hear over and over again the need for a new kind of Christianity that ?emphasized spiritual health and not dogma. In addition, my daughter who ?has left the church before me, caught on to Jim Wallace and his ?spiritual perspective. As I walk my journey, I find that your fictional ?character of Dan has been down the road before me. I am now reading your ?last of the trilogy. I am still working on being found by a God who does ?not create people to put them in hell. When you read the next paragraph, ?you will understand the struggle better.
I am a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary but was recently ?"de-frocked" from my ordination status in the X church. I could no longer sign my name on the form of subscription since ?it required that I agree with the Canons of Dort and other documents ?that I can no longer agree with. They were gracious about the ?separation, emphasizing that I am not being released due to any immoral ?behavior but due to theological differences only.
I have been looking for a fellowship in the Central Phoenix area that ?would be inclusive and understanding of those of us who are searching ?for a new way of being followers of Jesus. If you know of such a group, ?please let me know. If you would be supportive in any way of starting ?it, I would like to start it. I have a job in my old field of ?engineering so I do not need financial support. (NO I am not like Gil!).
If you reply, thank you. If not, May the peace of God be with you.
A: If you go to emergentvillage.com, you can find out how to establish a cohort. That could be a first step. May God bless you as you keep pressing on after this difficult time.
Subject: U of MN twin cities
Hello, ?An InterVarsity colleagues mentioned to me something like "McLaren Institute for Christian Studies" (not sure of the spelling or full name) in some connection with the University of MN (Minneapolis). Are you aware of this and is it connected to your work? I am looking for Christian connections for students there.
A: No – I haven’t heard of such a thing, and I’d be against it, as my name would probably ruin its chances for success!
Subject: Preconceived notions and "A Generous Orthodoxy"
Hello Brian. My name is X. I am a youth pastor in Southern Indiana (although when my finacée and I get married we'll be moving to PA to do ministry there and possibly plant a church) and I found your book through a review done by Al Mohler. I am sure you've heard of him.
Well, his review of A Generous Orthodoxy was less than positive. He did say that there were things to be learned from it, but he didn't seem to like the book much. Up to that time, I hadn't heard of the book at all or even of you. And I am Southern Baptist and a Calvinist (or so I called myself at the time I read the review) so I trusted his judgment. And with those notions in my head, I found your book at Barnes & Noble. I baught the book (it was the only copy on the shelf) to keep some new Christian from being confused by it and led astray (again, I knew nothing but what the review said).
Well, I've recently picked the book back up and begin to read it (although very critically). I am the kind of person who tests all that I read in Christian books to see if it is sound with Scripture. It seems most Christian "literature" out there on the shelves is pretty lame. As I have read I must confess, I am pleasantly surprised. I don't agree with everything that you say in the book, but I see where you're coming from for the most part.
I just wanted to email you and say that I am thankful for your book, even though I came across it and baught it not for the sake of reading it, but for the sake of refuting it. That thought made your comments in the chapter on Protestantism very convicting.
Also, my finacée has been hearing quotes from the book from me (she lives 6 hours away from me in x, I live in x, so these quotes have mostly been read to her over the phone) and she has been very encouraged by some of the things you have said. The book has also, in a way, helped to answer some of her questions. She really likes to think about pretty abstract things, and when I read your comment in the mystical/poetic chapter about how a generous orthodoxy "welcomes the poets, the mystics, and even those who choose to say very little or remain silent, including the disillusioned and the doubters" (Pg. 155), I think lightbulbs clicked on in her head and she began to see that Christianity isn't all about a systematic understanding of everything but about a living and active relationship with a living and active God who loves the people He created. She is a Christian, but I got the sense that she had been revived (if only in a very small way).
In closing, your book has blown away all of my preconceived notions of you and your beliefs. Yeah, your book hasn't answered all my questions, but it has seemed to send me on the right direction to finding the answers. Maybe if you're ever around x or x when my fiancée (her name is x) are together we can meet up and have a chat.
Thank you for your time and for reading this. God bless!
Reformed and always reforming
A: Thanks. Sadly, there are many people who take criticism and assume it is correct. You showed a kind of “nobility” in thinking for yourself. Sadly, the review to which you refer was unfair and inaccurate, and in fact misquoted me. I hope the misquote was merely a typo, and not an intentional attempt to mislead. Again, thanks.
Subject: emergent discipleship
Pastor McLaren,
i have recently been reading a couple of your books (Finding Faith, More Ready Than...)--and enjoying them, but i was wondering if you could recommend any other emergent authors that have written on discipleship? i appreceiated your appendix in More Ready... but would like to find an even more extensive treatment from an emergent perspective. thank you for you any help you can give, and for your ministry in general.
A: You should read Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones. They have excellent books. Tony’s “The Sacred Way” is an underappreciated gem, and Doug’s Church Reimagined is a unique and creative contribution.
Subject: Postmodernity and Christianity
Mr. McClaren:
I'm a graduate student in the English department at the University of X. I read your ?book "A New Kind of Christian" when I was an undergraduate in Bible college (my mentor ?recommended it to me), but I loaned my copy out and it was never returned.
Now that I'm in graduate school, I'm taking a Critical Theory class that presents a wide variety of ?postmodern theories, many of which seem on the surface to be hostile to Christianity. I imagine ?you'd say they're hostile to the modern version of Christianity, and I agree with that, but reading ?Derrida saying that language refers only to itself is fairly discouraging when you're trying to figure ?out if God is real or not.
At any rate, I am doing a paper on Roland Barthes' "The Death of the Author" and its implications for ?Christianity (my thesis is that the small-a author--Moses or St. Paul or whoever--must die in order ?for the reader to have a [Karl] Barthian existential experience with God through the text), and I ?reordered your book in order to mine it for quotes to help further my point. I've reread the book ?now, and I think it was exactly what I needed to hear; I need to be reminded that the modernist ?elements of American Protestantism are not the essence of Christianity, that we are entering a new ?era of philosophical thought and that much of the trappings of the previous eras are going to be ?stripped away, sometimes painfully.
And so I realized while I was reading your book (specifically the part where Poole goes off on Neo by ?the river) that the frustration and disheartening I'm feeling right now, the cognitive dissonance and ?doubt I'm going through reading Derrida and Lacan and Jameson, is just a sort of "growing pains," ?that in order to be "a new kind of Christian" I must first shed the old disguises, the parts of ?Protestantism that are not Christianity at all but flat Modernism.
So I'm just writing to thank you for your book and to let you know how much it's helping me.
By the way, I noticed that you're a Walker Percy fan. I'm probably doing my master's thesis partially ?on Percy. My preliminary topic is on him, John Updike and Frederick Buechner--specifically ?comparing how characters in their novels see sex as an avenue of grace, how this vision is different ?for the three writers. Exciting stuff.
A: Sounds fascinating! I love having the chance to talk literature with people like yourself. I’d encourage you to check out Soren Kierkegaard’s “The Point of View for My Work as an Author,” and of course, his writings on the aesthetic person will play into your research project. Also – you’ll find Peter Rollins upcoming book “How (Not) to Speak of God” to be helpful. For those of us who have waded into these deep waters, it means a lot to find people who can help us. So many don’t know what we’re talking about, and their advice makes things worse.