A New Kind of What?

I was told continually by a few people that I should read this book by Brian McLaren called, ‘A New Kind of Christian.’ It is becoming popular among the college and young professional population. Being a College Minister I figure I better read it to see what new enlightenment this book could bring to my ministry. Unfortunately, for me, it would only bring frustration and confusion, as it was not what I thought it was going to be at all. I found this book to be dangerous and leading down a slippery slope that could throw those who follow its principles into heresy and unorthodox Christianity very quickly.

I think one of the reasons this book is popular is because everyone thinks that since “everyone” else thinks it is good then so should they. It is to me a fad book, and has no more quality to me then Dan Browns ‘Da Vinci Code’ story. Both are written the same way, in story form and claiming truth within the tales they are telling. Both have literary backgrounds and would know that the best way to tell what you believe as truth and to get others to buy into it is to wrap it around a well written story, which they have both done. I know it seems to be an unfair and poor comparison, but they are both spreading information that can be damaging to the Christian that reads them and is not founded in Biblical truth. To me McLaren’s could be worse, as he writes under the umbrella of being a Christian and a pastor as well. His could be more far reaching, as those who read it will just accept his convoluted ideas about Christianity and the truths found in the Bible because he is a Christian.

With that warning said, I do want to start with the positive about the book, as I think it could still be a book worth reading. It just needs read with a critical mind. Test what he is saying and see if it does line up with Biblical truth. I do like that McLaren challenges how we think about God and Christianity and that we need to be more engaged in our communities. And I would agree with those challenges, but not with his answers to a lot of those challenges, in particular to how it pertains to the Bible and our faith. I want to keep these blogs at a readable length. I will only talk about a couple of issues within the book, but there are many more than I will mention below.

The first flag went up for me when the two antagonists, Daniel and Neo were talking and they were discussing what will be the future of Christianity. Neo ends up telling a story about being at a stop light and seeing a crucifix with a dream-catcher on the rear view mirror of another car. He said that some would see this as, “. . . syncretism, a Samaritan mix of Christianity with a pagan religion. . . .” I would agree with this definition, but he did not. This is what he wrote he perceived, “I would interpret that scene very differently. My guess would be that this driver respects Christianity but finds something lacking in the modern version. . .” He goes on to say that the dream catcher is holistic and fulfills that need that is missing in Christianity. That may be correct in that the driver is missing something in his life, but it should be found through building his relationship with Christ through prayer, worship, discipleship and meditating on the word. If his church is not supplying this then he needs to find another church. Then again maybe the guy is just superstitious and has no interest at all in either religion, but in any regards to allow this would be just the same issue Paul was dealing with in the 1 Corinthians church. It would lead to a pagan influenced Christianity and thus would end up negating many doctrines of the Bible.

Some would say, “Now come on, he was just using it as an example, but he does not necessarily believe that one should be allowed to do it.” I would say there are two problems with that, because for one McLaren says on page 36, “Well, there really isn’t such a thing as the Christian worldview.” He has the main character who is influencing the pastor say this, and then he goes on to give a poor reasoning behind its’ truth. Again on page 75 he has Neo say, “That’s why, in my mind, it should be possible to be a Christian and yet be culturally Buddhist, Muslim, or Navajo.” It is nearly impossible to be culturally any of those, as these three above intertwine everything through their customs. One could be culturally Indian, Palestinian, American, or Canadian, but not still part of a religious culture. However, Buddhists, Muslims and Navajos all intertwine their religious beliefs with everything they do in life, whether it is politics or home life. Does McLaren mean that we can sit in a sweat tent until we hallucinate (actually he goes on to say we can in another book), or have more than one wife and just add Jesus to a list of other gods out there? That is part of the culture of Buddhism, Muslim and Navajo. This is not Biblical and we are not to live that way. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:8). Anything else added to the Christian faith other than what is laid down by the Bible, where Christ communicated with us, is communicating a false doctrine and thus should not be followed. We do not need to add to our faith, as Christ is all we need. The problem is that we just do not believe it at times, nor seek Him as we should.

Through out the book he challenges Biblical truths and concepts. In the beginning he challenges the creation account with Neo’s belief in evolution. He later challenges the belief of a literal hell, and he continues to do this in his book ‘Generous Orthodoxy.’ But this one also put up a red flag to me, which can be found on page 56, “Sure, there was history, but not with all the modern trimmings like concern for factual accuracy, corroborating evidence, or absolute objectivity.” Luke tells us that, “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” (1:3-4). Either Luke is lying or McLaren is lying in his story. I am going to lay my cards on McLaren. Again, we see false information being passed as truth in a story form and people will believe it without even questioning whether it is true or not, because a pastor said it was so. We need to test everything by Scripture.

This is ridiculous on all accounts, as is seen from the beginning of Luke just quoted. The apostles talk about what they saw, and there are writers in ancient history that account for things that happened, making corroborating evidence. My question then would be, “Why should I believe anything else about the Bible if I cannot even believe the history or accounts of what happened?” Our faith is based on the evidence of things not seen, as Hebrews 11:1 put it so eloquently. Meaning the evidence of history, including the eye witness accounts, creation, and everything else all points to God. Hebrews 6:18 says, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie. . . .” If the Bible is the Word of God and God cannot lie then how can any historical mistakes be in it? God can use a crooked stick to make a straight line, meaning God can use a sinful man to still write an inerrant book. Questioning the very reliability of Scripture in the fashion he does with no evidence to support it and a plethora of evidence against his premise, both Biblically and secularly, makes me wonder what the motive really is.

I find this book to be dangerous and not a book that should be read by a Christian who is not founded in their faith. If one wants to read a book about how to take your church into heresy and into a watered down faith, then this book is for you. There are many other issues that could be challenged about this book, but the two mentioned should be enough to demonstrate the dangers of such a belief system. I can see now why so many churches are struggling with the homosexuality issue and the Trinity and the atonement. They have fallen into this thought process that there is not a Christian worldview and that we can incorporate unbiblical cultural beliefs into Christianity. If the ideas that McLaren is spouting take root we could be in serious trouble in the next few years.

I believe that the church has to be relevant to whom they are trying to reach without ever watering down the Gospel or challenging the truths within it. It is not the Bible or God that needs to change; it is us if we do not agree with what was being said. We are either reading incorrectly or we are not willing to fall under the rule of God. The question is, “Do you control God and how you are going to worship Him? Or is He the ruler of all and you are going to fall down and worship Him, following what He commands in Scripture?” If there is a historical fact that one cannot prove that does not mean it is not true, it just means we need to keep searching and I guarantee that we will discover the truth one day. My God does not lie, and He would not use His word to purposely deceive His children. My God is all-powerful and can write an inerrant book even through the sinners He chose as apostles.

This book fails as a challenge to the modern world and is counterproductive to anyone who reads it. I am frightened that Brian is going to lead a lot of Christians astray through his books and concepts. If anyone asks you to read this book, then run away. Don’t look back don’t ask any questions, just run. Remember, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16). Unfortunately Mr. McLaren would have you believe otherwise by the tone of his books.