A Generous Orthodoxy

A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian D. McLaren is my latest read. This book has been soundly criticized by many in the Christian community who see McLaren's neo-orthodoxy as being scandalous, a heresy, or worse. Google McLaren or the book and you'll see what I mean. Personally, however, I found very little that was offensive about the book. In fact, I really enjoyed it even if I don't agree 100% with everything he says. Fact is, I don't think I've ever agreed 100% with any author. But that's a topic for another day.

Much of the criticism aimed at this author and what he has to say stems from the fact that McLaren is considered the senior leader of what is known as the "Emerging," or "Emergent" Church. In fact the book is considered a kind of manifesto for that movement.

The sub-title to the book, one of the longest subtitles I've ever seen, covers the ground McLaren hopes to delve into in its 348 pages: "Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, anabaptist/anglican, methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed-yet-hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian."

At its most basic level, however, the book simply calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. McLaren calls for Christ-followers to exhibit humility, clarity, courage and diligence (pg. 34) in their walk and honestly, who can argue with that? He also links doctrine with practice, something sorely missing in many versions of Christianity around today. I believe McLaren ruffles so many feathers because of a mischievous streak he has. He seems to relish stepping on toes - many that need stepping on, mind you, but he does so with such zest and vigor (stamping on toes?) that it really riles folks up. One one level, at least, I think that's what McLaren intends to do with this book.

Consider this jab at the religious right, found on page 90: "Meanwhile, for me, in the U.S. - now the undisputed Superpower in the world - I feel surrounded by Christians who very much like the idea of an American God and a middle-class Republican Jesus, first and foremost concerned about Our National Security and Our Way of Life....The language of lordship and authority in this context only seems to serve the "powers to be," to bolster the status quo, to legitimize and protect and baptize whatever regime is in power. This feels like a tired old story that history has seen rise and fall many times, and it sickens me."

He bashes others in the book as well; television preachers, narrow-minded, exclusivist fundamentalists, and Bible-thumping Evangelicals (with a capital "E"). No group or individual is immune - including himself - because in McLaren's mind, as soon as we claim to have a monopoly on truth, or as soon as we claim to be without sin, we are little more than modern-day Pharisees.

Regardless of what you think of the book as a whole, McLaren's history lesson concerning the ongoing chasm between liberal and conservative elements of Christianity (ch. 8), his discussion of Christ as the only way (ch. 17, by the way McLaren does believe Jesus is the only way), and his explanation of what is really meant by "emergent" (ch. 19) are worth reading the book for.

So, am I now "emergent?" Have I lost my religion (or my mind)? Hardly. But I have been challenged to examine myself and and my faith, and any author or book that accomplishes that for me is worth reading. He'll challenge you too, I guarantee it.