Current readings and thoughts

For the past couple of weeks I have been reading “a Generous Orthodoxy” by Brian D. McLaren. Something that I greatly respect about McLaren is that he does not desire to write a book that one will read to simply confirm what they already know and agree with. Instead, he believes that learning is the result of thinking. Reading a book over the course of several weeks is pretty rare for me. This just isn’t the sort of book to plow through though. As a result I am reading and then thinking, writing, talking, and (hopefully) acting or putting into practice.

Probably the most valuable thing that I’ve read that has stirred my thinking is the following statement:

The way to know God is by following Jesus on that adventure. One doesn’t learn what God is like in a library or pew and then begin to love God in real life. One begins to love God and others in real life. In the process one learns what God is like – and one might be driven to the library and pew to learn more. Anyone who doesn’t embark on the adventure of love doesn’t know God at all, whatever he can say or define or delineate, for God is love. Brian D. McLaren “a Generous Orthodoxy” p 207

I can testify that I have learned more about God in the past 18 months on the rainy streets of Salford than I ever have in church or in a book. It’s through the sharing of love that I in turn experience God’s love on deeper levels and in more intimate ways.

I also am wrestling with a (new to me) truth from the story of Abraham. McLaren writes:

Lesslie Newbigin, one of the theologians who has helped me most (and whose fist name often misleads people regarding his gender), used to say that the greatest heresy (false, destructive, divisive belief) in monotheism results from taking the first half of God’s call to Abraham (I will bless you, I will make your name and nation great) and neglecting or rejecting the second half (I will make you a blessing, all nations will be blessed through you). Do you see the tragic difference? Any form of Christianity that takes the first part of God’s call to Abraham more seriously than the second is not missional . . . . Brian D. McLaren “a Generous Orthodoxy” p 120-121

He goes on to write that:

. . . . my mission isn’t to figure out who is already blessed, or not blessed, or unblessable. My calling is to be blessed so I can bless everyone. Brian D. McLaren “a Generous Orthodoxy” p 124

What a valuable lesson to put into practice in the upcoming week. Instead of seeking all the things we do in this life, why not boil it down to seeking God and his blessing so you can in turn bless anyone and everyone?

I think these are thoughts that if taken seriously leave you no other option but action and right practice.

I love McLaren’s missional statement for his life and I shall close with that today.

“to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ in authentic community for the good of the whole world.” Brian D. McLaren “a Generous Orthodoxy” p 117

Chad