We all have better things to do on Good Friday...

...than argue about books, but I'm trying to be more of a "do it and forget it" kind of guy, so here goes.

Got this in the ol' comment box:

Bob, it saddens me that you would actually consider using this book as part of official curriculum at your church. Just in reading the introduction it's clear that what Brian is presenting is not Christianity, it's neo-gnosticism. He's presenting a false gospel about a humble, marginalized, jewish peasant, not the glorified, resurrected king and creator. The idea alone that Brian has some-how managed to come up with something new, some "secret message" that for the last 2000 years we've all missed is absolutely absurd.

When did the church decide that it was no longer fashionable to call heretics what they are?

Briefly:
1. We have no official curriculum.

2. Having gotten about halfway through the book, I can confidently say this is, without a doubt Christianity and as far from "neo-gnosticism" as one could get.

Brian is not presenting secret knowledge as the key to salvation. He's explaining why Jesus spoke in parables. He's explaining the use of the words "secrets of the kingdom of heaven" that Jesus HIMSELF used.

3. The idea that we need to make a choice betwen seeing Jesus as "a humble, marginalized, jewish peasant" or "the glorified, resurrected king and creator" is a ridiculous false dichotomy. If you read the Gospels and don't see both, your eyes are closed.

4. Brian neither claims that he has "found" a new message or anything secret. He's simply saying what I'll bet you say all the time, Jon- evangelicalism has lost the plot when it comes to what Jesus was saying- minoring on the majors and vice versa.

"Heretic" is a nuclear bomb of a word, implying someone is not only going to hell, but dragging others with him. You should probably be careful about busting it out in so cavalier a manner.

Comments

[Steve Carr]

Now I haven't read this book . . .

[OK, that statement probably disqualifies everything I'm about ready to say, but I'll continue anyway]

I understand Brian's angle: he's trying to get evangelical to think outside the box, question some presuppositions and see where it leads them. I don't buy into much of his recent stuff, but I get what he's doing. He's deliberately set himself up as a target, hoping that it will spur conversations that will help spread the kingdom of God.

But that being said, I disagreed with his opening paragraph found in your third installment of The Secret Message. It seems he builds that whole section based on the fact the the Romans wacked Jesus to "crush his movement," from which he develops his kingdom vs kingdom comparson. But I'm not sure that's a good interpretation on what really happened.

Rome wasn't trying to shut down Jesus' movement; Scripture shows that Pilate himself was ambivalent to this issue. The more involved parties were Sadducee and [some] Pharisee leaders worried about their standing in the empire. The Romans would kill anyone at anytime and not worry about it. I just felt that Brian's interpretation of the situation was a stretch, as was the illustration drawn in the very next paragraph about the students in Tienanmen square. not very apt at all.

But here's why people want to burn McLaren at the stake- he takes his presupposed conclusions and then finds Scriptures to make his point. For this numerous evangelicals will accuse him of all sort of heresies when THEY THEMSELVES ARE GUILTY OF THE SAME THING! They give "Biblical sermons," pulling one verse out of context to tell you why praying Jabez will change your life.

So the fact of the matter is: we're all guilty of being heretics. We all have areas where our theology falls short. That's why we need the grace of Jesus- even though none of us know exactly how that works.

I know this might be irrelevant to this whole conversation [sorry, Bob], but I thought I'd share what I was thinking.

[Brian]

"'Heretic' is a nuclear bomb of a word, implying someone is not only going to hell, but dragging others with him. You should probably be careful about busting it out in so cavalier a manner. "

Right on. It amazes me how misunderstood, misrepresented, and out right attacked Brian is by fellow believers.

[rick]

the title of the book is more controversial than the material. it's very very very evangelistic - if this had been published by anyone else, maybe with a different title, but same exact content - this would be a way different discussion about how really on target this might be.

[Dean Christensen]

Bob,

I remember in a class you and I taught that some guy stood up, called you a false prophet, then marched out. I remember that you felt kinda "honored" that first time.

This week, I was voted into the club by someone who thinks I'm leading the flock into pagan ritual by offering a prayer labyrinth. I got the whole mill-stone around the neck speach and everything.

I agree, these guys could use their time a lot more productively... especially on this week.

Well, just wanted to say my picture has joined yours on the Wall of (de)Fame. Kinda good to be up there with ya.

[JSC]

Did someone forget to read their Bible? Unbelievable. Part of the good news is the very fact that Christ is God-man. Hello!?! I'd suggest reading the first 2 chapters of Hebrews or at least meditate on this line: "He became like his brothers in every way" -- everyway freakin way!!!

Don't know Brian McLaren personally. But I do know that he is NOT a heretic. What an upsurd comment. I don't agree with everything Brian writes but at the same time, I can't remember the last time I agreed 100% with any writer's theological position.

We're all learning here. Take it easy.

P.S. Amen to Rick's post. So true.