“Professing to be wise, they became fools” [Romans 1:22] Rick Warren’s web site features the Innovative Church Conference saying “The 2003 Innovative Church Conference will feature Brian McLaren, founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Washington, D.C. area. Brian is a prominent voice on postmodern thinking and church growth. He is also the author of several books including The Church on the Other Side and the revolutionary book, A New Kind of Christian”. [1]
Therefore one assumes, in light of Rick Warren’s written endorsements of Brian McLaren’s books, that he has actually read The Church on the Other Side and A New Kind of Christian”. One has to further presume he is familiar with McLaren’s beliefs. Therefore lets examine Brian McLaren’s doctrine in a little more detail. (Note that time and space do not permit more than a brief comment on some points) ...
ON THIS PAGE Who is Brian McLaren? So What is A Postmodernist Christian Leader? Brian McLaren and The Lambeth Conference A “Shift” Is Coming In Brian McLaren’s Own Words Brian McLaren and The Gay Issue Brian McLaren and Jewish Leaders Brian McLaren and Barack Obama Brian McLaren and Ken Wilber
Who is Brian McLaren? A July 15, 2005 PBS special on the Emerging Church described Brian McLaren as not looking like a “revolutionary”, but... “…calls himself a "middle-aged, bald introvert with a small Buddha belly."
Often described as postmodernist Christian leader, McLaren is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland. His website says he is… Emphasis Added “… an author, speaker, pastor, and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. He is a frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs. He has appeared on many broadcasts including Larry King Live, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, and Nightline. His work has also been covered in Time (where he was listed as one of American's 25 most influential evangelicals), Christianity Today, Christian Century, the Washington Post, and many other print media.” [2]
Brian McLaren is the author of several books some of which have been being translated into other languages, including Korean, Chinese, French, Swedish, Norwegian, and Spanish. A Generous Orthodoxy has been called a "manifesto" of the emerging church conversation, while his third book, A New Kind of Christian won Christianity Today's "Award of Merit" in 2002. Also A is for Abductive was co-authored with Dr. Leonard Sweet, and Adventures in Missing the Point was co-authored with Tony Campolo. He believes Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, with their emphasis on spiritual disciplines, are And books by both Tony Jones and Richard Foster are great resources for contemplative practices.. In McLaren’s words... “If you pick up Richard Foster’s “Celebration of Discipline” and his other work via Renovare, you’ll get a great exposure to the Christian mystical tradition. “The Spiritual Formation Workbook” is a great resource too. Tony Jones’ “The Sacred Way” is also a sturdy introduction to contemplative practices.” [3b]
So What is A Postmodernist Christian Leader?
Giving a definitive answer to that question, is a bit like trying to nail the proverbial jello to the proverbial wall. No matter how hard you try and how many words you use, little blobs of slime will hit the floor, and any effort to pick it up results in more goo in more places.. So avoiding an endless torrent of words that may do little more than confuse the reader and give me the grandfather of all headaches, perhaps it is better to let McLaren speak for himself.. And that he has done … in a profusion of controversial, Scripture manipulating, opinions that continue to contribute to the ‘Great Falling Away’ all around us. In many regards Christianity is a religion rooted in absolutism, with neither the word nor the concept holding any place in Brian McLaren’s vocabulary or thinking. Albert Mohler sums up McLaren’s conflicting ideas… “He claims to uphold "consistently, unequivocally, and unapologetically" the historic creeds of the church, specifically the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. At the same time, however, he denies that truth should be articulated in propositional form, and thus undercuts his own "unequivocal" affirmation. Unwilling to affirm that the Bible contains propositional truths that form the framework for Christian belief, this movement argues that we can have Christian symbolism and substance without those thorny questions of truthfulness that have so vexed the modern mind. The worldview of postmodernism--complete with an epistemology that denies the possibility of or need for propositional truth--affords the movement an opportunity to hop, skip and jump throughout the Bible and the history of Christian thought in order to take whatever pieces they want from one theology and attach them, like doctrinal post-it notes, to whatever picture they would want to draw.
In other words McLaren and others of the Emergent church do exactly what they accuse Christian ‘fundamentalists’ of doing.. troll through the Scriptures to pick out the little bits and pieces that either support or can be interpreted to support their point of view. See question one (below) asked McLaren at the Anglican Lambeth conference..
Brian McLaren and The Lambeth Conference The Lambeth conference is one of the global Anglican Communion's Instruments of Communion which takes place every ten years at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Also invited are bishops from other churches 'in communion' with the Anglican Communion, bishops from United Churches and a number of ecumenical guests. [4] On July 26, 2008 Christian Today carried an article entitled Emerging church leader Brian Mclaren on Lambeth, mission and reconciliation, saying that McLaren was at the Lambeth conference to “ encourage the 650 bishops attending and offer his insights into where worldwide Christianity stands right now”
Christianity Today “caught up with him to hear more about what impression Lambeth left on him and his vision of Christianity in today's ever changing world”. The following are three of the questions asked and McLaren’s replies with InPlainSite.org Comments in blue… [5] CT: The Anglican Communion is struggling to hold together Anglicans with many different theological positions. What's your approach in bringing polar opposite Christians to sit together at the same table? BM: I think three things can help us a great deal. First, Scripture. The fact is, Scripture can be used as a weapon to exclude, wound, discredit, and vanquish opponents, but it also can be used as a kind of flashlight to guide us in dark times so we can learn to walk together through differences and divisions - of which there were many in New Testament times. I think we're far wiser when we don't simply troll the Scriptures seeking to find verses that prove "them" wrong and "us" right - but rather when we ponder Scriptures that teach us how to treat one another when we differ - 1 Corinthians 13 being a prime text in this regard. (I always tell people, 1 Corinthians 13 was written for church controversies, not weddings!)
IPS Comment: While there is absolutely no question that Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 13 that love of God and man is the sum and substance of all true religion. That this one endowment of love is more valuable than all others and accessible to all, unlike some of the other gifts. However Paul is not saying that this is always how we are to treat each other when we differ. While it is true that Christians often have honest disagreements, McLaren conveniently forgets that Scripture commands the preacher to reprove and rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2) and to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
In practically every epistle Paul issued severe warnings against theological error. He warned of Hymenaeus and Alexander’s blasphemy (1 Tim. 1:19-20) and of Phygellus and Hermogenes’ apostasy (2 Tim. 1:15) and of Hymenaeus and Philetus’ profane and vain babblings (2 Tim. 2:16-17) and of Demas’ love of the world (2 Tim. 4:10) and of Alexander the coppersmith’s evil (2 Tim. 4:14) and of the Galatian heretics’ cursed gospel (Gal. 1:6-8) and of the dogs and evil workers operating at Philippi (Phil. 3:1-2) and of the false teachers “whose God is their belly” (Phil. 3:17-19).
CT: The sexuality issue is a big one and you advised bishops to be sensitive to different cultural settings. Does that mean we should shape the Bible around the surrounding culture? BM: This question raises a host of assumptions and deeper questions that too few people are willing to grapple with. Because the fact is, what we're talking about isn't simply the Bible but our interpretations of the Bible. It's not just what the Bible says, but how we understand, interpret, and apply what the Bible says. In the Bible, for example, God commanded polygamy in certain situations in the Old Testament. And God also commanded stoning in certain situations. Nobody I know of wants to apply those passages literally today. The question of which passages to apply to a certain situation, and how literally to apply them, is a question of interpretation, and interpretation is not simply a science or technique, like solving a math equation. There are many layers of skill in Biblical interpretation.
The level of idiocy in the above statement leaves me wondering where to start. If McLaren is suggesting that no one can know God’s intended meaning, then God has given us a worthless book, one that anyone can use to back their own agenda. If God’s intentions, plans and instructions to man are not discernible, then we may as well take the book and burn it, for all the good it will do us. Scripture contains innumerable references to following (not deviating) from the word.. For example Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances. [Psalm 119:105-106].
However more than ludicrous that these righteous ordinances are nto taken to be God’s laws, but whatever the individual interprets them to be. Jesus said If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [John 831-32] According to McLaren the truth is what each person interprets it is.. But Jesus said to abide in HIS word.. Oh My goodness! Can it actually mean that there is a definitive Word that is NOT open to interpretation.
Peter talked about false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies [2 Peter 2:1]. Again if doctrine is based on each ones individual interpretation of Scripture, then how can anyone be accused of destructive heresies?
Paul told Timothy Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee. [1 Titus 4:16]
And the Galatians But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
McLaren goes on to give a couple of examples.. “God commanded polygamy in certain situations in the Old Testament. And God also commanded stoning in certain situations. Nobody I know of wants to apply those passages literally today. The question of which passages to apply to a certain situation, and how literally to apply them, is a question of interpretation ..”
McLaren’s web site claims that he “was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada” in 2004. And helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church (crcc.org) in 1982, serving as the church's founding pastor until 2006. [6] What is truly mind boggling is that a pastor with a Doctor of Divinity Degree is not familiar with types and antitypes in Scripture. That in Christian theology the original event is called a type which, is a factual happening in history that is a glimpse of one or more actual events yet to come... much of the Old Testament was but a shadow of a future happening. That, like the Seven Feasts of Israel, the laws were but a precursor of things to come. That Jesus introduced the transition a mere letter-of-the-law, minimal standards approach, to understanding and obeying the spiritual intent behind the law, accomplished with the aid of the Holy Spirit. That we are now living under the New Covenant which actually demands a higher degree of holiness and obedience to God. That it is not “a question of interpretation” and no we do not stone people any more, but behind every Mosaic command lies a principle that transcends time and culture and is therefore applicable to all God’s people, regardless of when or where they live. [For details See Jesus and The Law]. Besides which, while I am certainly not sure where God “commanded polygamy”, it is true that the Bible nowhere explicitly condemns it. However... “God’s original intention was for one man to be married to only one woman, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife (not wives); and they shall become one flesh (not multiple fleshes)” (Genesis 2:24). While Genesis 2:24 is describing what marriage is, rather than how many people are involved, the consistent use of the singular should be noted. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God says that the kings were not supposed to multiply wives (or horses or gold). While this cannot be interpreted as a command that the kings must be monogamous, it can be understood as declaring that having multiple wives causes problems. This can be clearly seen in the life of Solomon (1 Kings 11:3-4)”. [7] [See Concubines in The Bible]
CT: You suggested a new era for Christianity. What else do you think we can expect? BM: I am just one small person with a very limited perspective in the face of such a huge question. But let me offer four small thoughts. First, I think our future is more about the Christian way of life than it is about a rigid and polemicized systems of belief. Second, I think our future is mission-oriented - meaning that we focus on forming disciples who advance God's mission in their daily lives. Third, I believe our future is ecumenical - with Catholics, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Eastern Orthodox, and Evangelical Christians taking a humble posture as fellow learners and collaborators for the common good rather than as competitors or us-versus-them enemies. And fourth, I think our future will also require us to join humbly and charitably with people of other faiths - Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, secularists, and others - in pursuit of peace, environmental stewardship, and justice for all people, things that matter greatly to the heart of God.
The problem with the above statement is that is leaves me wondering where in the world to start. In four short statements McLaren has shot down the entire Bible from start to finish. Let’s talk about this “rigid and polemicized” system of belief. Doesn’t the Bible say that For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and is equally clear about the consequences of sin, stating that… the wages of sin is death....” (Romans 6:23). In other words. you sin... you die! And wasn’t it Jesus who said (John 14:6) that no man could come to the Father but through Him? And that if you “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” ([Romans 10:9). And doesn’t it also say that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin? [1 John 1:7] And doesn’t 1 Corinthians 1:18 say that people perish without the cross?... For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. And isn’t repentance, defined as a radical change in one's attitude toward sin and God, presented as an absolute requirement for forgiveness in the Old Testament as well as the New. And didn’t Jesus also say “... unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)? And isn’t it true that those who believe in Jesus’ name, are given the right to become children of God? [John 1:11-13]. And doesn’t the Bible say that people, prior to rebirth, are God’s enemies (Romans 5:10)? And that He “reserves wrath for his enemies” Nahum 1:2? And doesn’t the Bible have a few cutting things to say about idol worship and false gods? I have no idea what book McLaren has been reading bearing the name Holy Bible, but it certainly isn’t the same as mine. Mine strangely leaves out the part about environmental stewardship being something that matters greatly to the heart of God and keeps harping on and on about sin, repentance and righteousness. By the way most people do not realize is that Christianity is not the only religion that claims exclusivity... Christian Exclusivism
A “Shift” Is Coming
In the words of Ingrid Schlueter... “ Please note the similarities between Emerging author/speaker Brian McLaren’s campaign and message and that of this cadre of outspoken New Spiritual/New Age teachers and leaders. Such New Age luminaries as Marianne Williamson, Dennis Kucinich and Deepak Chopra are featured on this short film, The Shift [8] (Note the title.) Brian McLaren’s site is called DeepShift.org [9]. They’re all about a shift into a new paradigm. Here’s a quote from the Shift movie website. We are in the middle of the biggest social transformation in human history, The SHIFT. At this critical point, it is imperative we make the masses aware of this global movement quickly. This evolutionary phenomenon is broader and deeper than the most visible SHIFT, the environmental movement. It involves our very understanding of who we are as human beings, and our responsibility to the world and to life itself.
Now let’s ‘shift’ to McLaren’s website where he says the following: We Are in Deep Shift.
A time of transition
rethinking
re-imagining
and re-envisioning A time for asking new questions
and seeking answers
that are both new and old
fresh and seasoned
surprising and familiar…
Brian McLaren, Marianne Williamson and company sound alike because they’re working on the same team. They are the heralds of the coming cosmic christ... a christ alien to the Scriptures and one who is at war with the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are wise will see this and help warn others of these prophets of anti-Christ”. [10] In recent years there has been an explosion of individuals and organizations (both large and small) who are actively working towards creating the conditions necessary for the Reappearance of the Christ or The Maitreya, by means of occult mediation, the Great Invocation etc.
See The Global Alliance
In Brian McLaren’s Own Words... [IPS comments in blue]
"The church has been preoccupied with the question, "What happens to your soul after you die?" As if the reason for Jesus coming can be summed up in, "Jesus is trying to help get more souls into heaven, as opposed to hell, after they die." I just think a fair reading of the Gospels blows that out of the water. I don't think that the entire message and life of Jesus can be boiled down to that bottom line." —Brian McLaren, from the PBS special on the Emerging Church. [11]
In the foreword to Dan Kimball's book about the Emergent church. “Our understandings of the gospel constantly change as we engage in mission in our complex dynamic world, as we discover that the gospel has a rich kaleidoscope of meaning to offer, yielding unexplored layers of depth, revealing uncounted facets of insight and relevance. No doubt as we look back and see ways in which our modern understandings of the gospel were limited or flawed” (Brian McLaren ).
The Gospel [Good News] does NOT change, but has stayed the same for the last two thousand years and is simply the message that Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and that an open invitation has been extended to all humanity to accept this free gift. While the Bible does have areas that may reveal “facets of insight and relevance”, the actual Gospel does not. It seems like supreme arrogance that all false teachers claim that THEY have the keys/amazing insights/ knowledge that people have missed for the last 2000 years. I guess everyone else that went before was dumber than a post and had a “flawed” or “limited” understanding of the Gospel. We had to wait thousands of years for McLaren to come along and tell us where we have been going wrong all this time.. The sad truth is that The Emerging Church is a winding road back to Rome, not Apostolic beliefs... See Revival or Return To Darkness. And In his book A New Kind Of Christian, McLaren says [Emphasis Added] “My knowledge of Buddhism is rudimentary, but I have to tell you that much of what I understand strikes me as wonderful and insightful, and the same can be said of the teachings of Muhammad, though of course I have my disagreements. ... I’d have to say that the world is better off for having these religions than having no religions at all, or just one, even if it were ours. ... They aren’t the enemy of the gospel, in my mind...” [12].
So let’s just throw Galatians 1:8 out of the window.. After all being accursed can not possibly have any connection with being an ‘enemy. Additionally A New Kind of Christian teaches that it is right for Christians to use pagan practices such as the Native American sweat lodge, peace pipe, dance, dream catcher, and smoke (A New Kind of Christian pp. 26, 74-78. Quoted in Beware of A New Kind of Christian: by David Cloud ). and that unbelievers and pagans can possibly be saved without personal faith in Christ (ibid. p. 92). That the postmodern Christian is one who “relativizes your own modern viewpoint,” thus understanding that everything he believes about the Bible and Christianity is only relative and uncertain (ibid. p. 35). It teaches that there is no such thing as “the Christian worldview,” that every doctrinal position, “no matter how resplendent with biblical quotations--can claim to be the ultimate Christian worldview, because every model is at the least limited by the limitations of the contemporary human mind, not to mention the ‘taste in universes’ of that particular age” (ibid. pp. 36, 37). It teaches that ecumenism is good and that all “denominations,” including Roman Catholicism, can contribute to a proper type of Christianity. We are informed that “there are good Catholics, good Greek Orthodox, good Pentecostals, and good Episcopalians” (ibid. p. 73). It teaches that labels such as Catholic, Protestant, liberal, evangelical “are about to become inconsequential” in a postmodern Christianity (ibid. p. 41). teaches that mystical Catholic practices are authentic and desirable (ibid. p. 58).
Quotes from McLaren’s book A Generous Orthodoxy (See Review) “ meditative practices, about which Zen Buddhism has said much. To talk about different things is not to contradict one another; it is, rather, to have much to offer one another” (Brian McLaren. A Generous Orthodoxy, p. 255.) “The Christian faith, I am proposing, should become (in the name of Jesus Christ) a welcome friend to other religions of the world, not a threat” (Brian McLaren A Generous Orthodoxy p.254.) "I must add, though, that I don't believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts”- McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy
(My Bible says “wherefore, come ye forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and an unclean thing do not touch, and I will receive you”, (2 Corinthians 6:17) and “ and what fellowship to light with darkness? and what concord to Christ with Belial? or what part to a believer with an unbeliever”? 2 Corinthians 6:15) McLaren: “This is how I feel when I’m offered a choice between the roads of exclusivism (only confessing Christians go to heaven), universalism (everyone goes to heaven), and inclusivism (Christians go to heaven, plus at least some others). Each road takes you somewhere, to a place with some advantages and disadvantages, but none of them is the road of my missional calling: blessed in this life to be a blessing to everyone on earth.” (Brian McLaren A Generous Orthodoxy p. 113.)
The last time I read the Bible I am pretty sure it said there are only two roads, the narrow one that leads to Heaven and the broad one that leads to hell. Maybe McLaren and I are reading different books, both called The Bible. The topics of Inclusivism, Exclusivism and Universalism are on THIS page. “I don't think we've got the gospel right yet. What does it mean to be 'saved'? When I read the Bible, I don't see it meaning, 'I'm going to heaven after I die.' Before modern evangelicalism nobody accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, or walked down an aisle, or said the sinner's prayer." (interview with Christianity Today)
While the second part of McLaren’s statement is accurate (See Is The Sinner’s Prayer Effective? ) I have no idea how he reconciles the first part with verses such as “in the house of my Father are many mansions; and if not, I would have told you; I go on to prepare a place for you; and if I go on and prepare for you a place, again do I come, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am ye also may be”; (John 14:2,3). Additionally The Bible is crystal clear as to what it means to be saved.. NOT going to hell. How can it be possible for someone to miss this message? See The Christian Hope: Life in the Land of the Promise Made to Abraham “I meet people along the way who model for me, each in a different way, what a new kind of Christian might look like. They differ in many ways, but they generally agree that the old show is over, the modern jig is up, and it's time for something radically new” “...if we have a new world, we will need a new church. We won't need a new religion per se, but a new framework for our theology. Not a new Spirit, but a new spirituality. Not a new Christ, but a new Christian.” (A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren p.3). See What New World Are They Talking About?
Below are a few quotes from a PowerPoint presentation Brian McLaren used at a recent Emergent Convention, at which he was one of the speakers: "We embrace historic spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, contemplation, study, solitude, silence." "We are committed to honor and serve the church in all its forms - Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal. "What if the dominant method [of]knowing truth is being replaced by a new methodology ... "We name the disease: Excessive confidence ... Universal systems ... Totalizing metanarratives ... Absolutism" "Accept the coexistence of different faiths ... willingly, not begrudgingly. Christian mission must be dialogical." "The "old, old story" may not have been the "true, true story," and so we must continually rediscover the gospel."
Brian McLaren and The Gay Issue
Time magazine, which called Brian McLaren a Paradigm Shifter, reported that he was “Asked at a conference last spring what he thought about gay marriage, Brian McLaren replied, "You know what, the thing that breaks my heart is that there's no way I can answer it without hurting someone on either side." You might call his a kinder and gentler brand of religion”. [13] [See An Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage]
Brian McLaren and Jewish Leaders
The official Religion News Service Press Release said… “LOS ANGELES, MINNEAPOLIS -- Synagogue 3000 (S3K) and Emergent will host a groundbreaking meeting to connect pioneering Jewish and Christian leaders from dynamic and innovative congregations on January 16-17, 2006, at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley, CA. In their first-ever formal gathering, emerging leaders from across America will share experiences and exchange ideas about reinventing the meaning and practice of community in their respective faith traditions, especially for unaffiliated Christians and Jews who are not attracted to conventional congregations. A debate with leading clergy in mainstream synagogues will explore the relationship between the congregational establishment and emerging groups”. [14]
An entry posted on Wednesday, January 4th, 2006 on Synablog says [Emphasis Added] Prominent Emergent Christian theologian Brian McLaren (A New Kind of Christian) has met with Synagogue 3000's leadership three times in recent months to discuss shared concerns, particularly surrounding attempts by younger Christians and Jews to express their spiritual commitments through social justice. "We have so much common ground on so many levels," he notes. "We face similar problems in the present, we have common hopes for the future, and we draw from shared resources in our heritage. I'm thrilled with the possibility of developing friendship and collaboration in ways that help God's dreams come true for our synagogues, churches, and world." [15]
So what is Synagogue 3000? Self described as “a catalyst for excellence, empowering congregations and communities to create synagogues that are sacred and vital centers of Jewish life. Its purpose is to make synagogues compelling moral and spiritual centers-- sacred communities--for the twenty-first century”. [15]
They go on to say According to Emergent-U.S. National Coordinator Tony Jones, this meeting has historic possibilities. "As emerging Christian leaders have been pushing through the polarities of left and right in an effort to find a new, third way, we've been desperate to find partners for that quest. It's with great joy and promise that we partner with the leaders of S3K to talk about the future and God's Kingdom."
Brian McLaren and Barack Obama
July 2, 2008 CNN.com reported that Brian McLaren, a former pastor who spent 24 years in the pulpit and is now an informal adviser to the Obama campaign, believes that a significant portion of evangelical voters are ready to break from their traditional home in the the Republican Party and take a new leap of faith with Obama. "I think there's a very, very sizable percentage -- I think between a third and half -- of evangelicals, especially younger [evangelicals], who are very open to somebody with a new vision," McLaren said. That new vision, he said, isn't focused on traditional social issues like abortion and gay marriage but more on efforts to end global warming and the war in Iraq. [16]
Killing babies has been dismissed as a traditional social issue.. while I can not dispute that the war is Iraq is a really important issues and can not overstate the tragedy of each American soldier’s life lost in Iraq, there is also no comparison to 50,000,000+ defenseless babies who have been butchered in America since 1973. I had both a son and a daughter in law in the war, but each volunteered to serve in the army. They, as all other soldiers, were trained, armed and probably had at least some idea of what they had signed up for. I wish I could say the same for the babies. If God could hear the voice of Abel's blood crying out to Him from the ground (Genesis 4:10), do you suppose God has missed the cries of these infants? I suggest you look here first Brian McLaren and Ken Wilber McLaren has also endorsed Ken Wilber’s A Theory of Everything and The Marriage of Sense and Soul, a book that has also been endorsed by Deepak Chopra. McLaren says... These two books by philosopher Ken Wilber are not “The Next Christendomristian” books, but the way of thinking Wilber promotes and exemplifies – which he calls “integral” thinking and which I call “emergent” thinking – is powerful and important, in my opinion. [17]
So who is Ken Wilber? he describes himself as being… “…a longtime practicing Buddhist, and many of the key ideas in my approach are Buddhist or Buddhist inspired. First and foremost, Nagarjuna and Madhyamika philosophy: pure Emptiness and primordial purity is the “central philosophy” of my approach as well.”
In an ad for Ken Wilber Kosmic Consciousness (audio CD) “Before the birth of the universe there existed your "Original Face," the limitless Self that has been present throughout the unfolding of inert matter into life-and that continues to dwell within us at every level of consciousness. Where is this grand evolution taking us-and how can each of us participate more fully in it? On Kosmic Consciousness, Ken Wilber invites you to find out.” (emphasis added).
[See article on Ken Wilber in the New Age Section... HERE]
End Notes [1] http://legacy.pastors.com/RWMT/?ID=117 [2] http://www.brianmclaren.net/biography.html. [3] The Emergent Mystique, Christianity Today, 11/04.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/november/12.36.html. Emphasis Added [3b] Questions from April 2005. http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/000467.html [4] http://www.lambethconference.org/lc2008/index.cfm [5] ww.christiantoday.com/article/emerging.church.leader.
brian.mclaren.on.lambeth.mission.and.reconciliation/20926.htm [6] http://www.brianmclaren.net/biography.html [7] http://www.gotquestions.org/polygamy.html [8] www.theshiftmovie.com/ [9] http://deepshift.org/site/ [10] http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/?p=51 [11] www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week846/cover.html [12] “A New Kind of Christian: a Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey” pp. 62, 63 [13] http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050207/photoessay/17.html [14] http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/?p=4 [15] http://sixthirteen.org/blog/judaism/emergent_christian_jewish_leaders_meet/ [16] Obama works to mobilize 'Christian left'. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/01/obama.evangelicals/index.html [17] http://www.anewkindofchristian.com/archives/000030.html | 
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