Dallas friends from a decade ago

Hangin’ out tonight at a friend’s house, authentic Chinese takeout, and heavy theological discussion after dinner for dessert. 2 of my seminary classmates from way back, and their young families. (I’m here in Dallas for an all-day business meeting tomorrow) Sorta funny how some people don’t change much, whereas in my own life, I’m sorta on a constant process of change and development as a late bloomer, as I’d describe it.

So this after-dinner conversation becomes a friendly debate about the concerns they had about Brian McLaren’s books, and what he was saying. I tried to navigate the conversation fairly, and my reading of McLaren is that he is not making specific assertions or propositional statements, and not particularly definitive, but rather he is asking thought-provoking questions in a gentle and deconstructing manner, in an effort to open the conversation for a re-examination of Christianity. We concluded our debate cordially, acknowledging some of their concerns for where McLaren might be taking this, and also acknowledging that he isn’t specifically, purposefully, intentionally charting a theological road map (my sense of it all).

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  1. Sivin Kit says:

    I follow with interest quite a mixed reaction to Mclaren’s works I’ve been hearing so far especially as “Emergent” stuff is getting more publicity. After reading the excerpts from “Reclaiming the center”, stronger critique is directed to Stanley Grenz, any thoughts on what’s going on in The USA regarding this?

  2. natala says:

    I really respect Mclaren, and what I have found from his books, is usually a gentle way of raising questions, and starting on the journey of discovering things on my own, or leaving it open for me to form my own opinion. I’m thankful for his words, and his willingness to not filter his thoughts, it makes me feel like I can question things and search with out feeling so guilty that i am going against the grain. (hopefully that makes sense)