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Book Review: "A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey" by Brian D. McLaren
Welcome to the discussion. It's a phrase anyone who keeps up with the emerging church movement has no doubt heard many
times. The church in America is slowly changing and people are noticing and instead of trying to revolutionize the
world with big conventions,
glossy best-selling "how-to" books, and direct mail campaigns, this revolution is being organized through quiet talks over
coffee (or perhaps by email).
In "A New Kind of Christian", Brian D. McLaren provides us a glimpse into what some of those conversations might
sound like. This is a book unlike any other in that the meat of the book and what it has to say about Christianity
in an emerging world could have been written in text-book form. McLaren could have simply spelled it out in a
non-fiction setting, and it probably would have made for a great book. Instead, McLaren turns this into a work of fiction,
centering on a pastor (Dan) and his progressive new friend (Neo). Fiction might not be the right word but all of
McLaren's thoughts come not from him, but from his characters. Perhaps this device was used as an out for McLaren as
many of the ideas in this book are non-conventional and revolutionary. That is, of course, the point, but there will still
be those in the faith who will freak completely out upon reading this book and be ready to declare McLaren a blasphemer.
In fact, I'd say a quick read through the reviews of this book on Amazon.com would probably turn up a few of those
already.
This is a difficult book to review because of its dual nature... fiction novel and textbook. When read strictly as a work
of fiction, the book struggles a little bit. The diaglogue feels a bit unreal at times and can come across as forced.
However, the book was not meant to be read in this way, and any weakness in the conversational writing is forgiven, simply
because the depth of thought to be found here is so extraordinary.
Let's look a bit at some of the content of "A New Kind of Christian". The first several chapters of the book lay a foundation
for postmodernism, spelling out exactly what it is, what it means, and how it came to be. This is laid out in wonderful
detail without being so heady and philosophical that it becomes difficult to understand. McLaren's list of changes that
brought about the modern world compared with changes that brought about the postmodern world in chapter four are worth
the price of the book. It's one of many "aha" moments where something you've felt deep down inside but never put
a finger on is laid out before you on the page.
In chapter five, Neo addresses a group of college students and concludes his talk by saying:
"I want you to invest your lives not in keeping the old ship afloat but in designing and building and sailing a new
ship for new adventures in a new time in history, as intrepid followers of Jesus Christ."
Wow. On the surface a simply put challenge but when held against what most people in the church are doing right now, more
convicting words were never spoken.
Also included here are discussions on other religions and where they stand with Christ, heaven and what it really is, and
a really interesting discussion called "It's none of your business who goes to hell". Some of these discussions may get
under your skin a bit, especially the one regarding other faiths. C.S. Lewis is extensively quoted from "The Last Battle"
to make the argument that believers of other religions are really serving Christ with their good deeds, even without
knowing it. This idea is certain to make heads spin, but McLaren surely knew this. While I can't say that I agree
with the sentiment (covered in the book in much greater depth than I have been able to include), it is at least an
interesting viewpoint that I had not heard before.
Again, "A New Kind of Christian" is not a perfect book. Read as a work of fiction it struggles along and the character of
Neo is lifted a bit too high in reverance by the other characters for my liking. As a work of philosophical thinking though,
the book can hold its own with anything else being written today. I highly recommend this book for anyone involved
in the postmodern / emerging church discussion (or for anyone wanting to get involved). The best compliment I can pay to
this book is that it got me thinking. As soon as I finished reading it, I was ready to dive back in from the beginning,
this time ready to take notes. If you like to think, like to dream about what your faith might someday be, and like to be
challenged (and you WILL be challenged by this book), "A New Kind of Christian" is a book you need to read.
Review by Greg Adkins
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