A New Kind of Postmodernist

A New Kind of Postmodernist: a book review of A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey by Brian D. McLaren

I wrote a bit about Foundationalism in some of my posts last week. This is a book Review by Douglas Groothuis of Denver Seminary. He writes

"Contrary to McLaren, the Bible is our theological foundation because..."

"There are many other objectionable items in this small but dangerous book, including its flippant advocacy of evolution (155), its unorthodox speculations on heaven and hell as not being separate places (91), its uncritical endorsement of computer technologies to replace libraries and classrooms in seminary education (162), and much more. There is just enough truth mixed in to make the errors seem more attractive; however, the wise reader will note every questionable claim and then examine the arguments given by McLaren to support it. In this way, one is less likely to be swept along by the force of the narrative and more likely to see the deficiencies of this book’s ideas for what they are — harmful to the cause of Christ in the postmodern world."

It is a great critique from a conservative foundationalist perspective.

Comments

[Carol Regehr]

"Flippant advocacy of evolution" ???? I suggest that Doug Groothuis take a class on evolution. Denver has many fine universities where he can learn more about this interesting topic.

[Michael Kruse]

Carol? ... Do I sense a button has been pushed? *grin* There were several buttons pushed for me but I do like some what he has written in other places. He has some valid criticisms of McLaren but I think he way overstates his case. I have talked with McLaren face to face and I didn't see a "666" emblazened on his forehead.

[will spotts]

Did you check his right hand?

[Rodger Sellers]

Hey, I'll certainly admit that Groothius pushes buttons. Having read a fair bit of his stuff (The Denver Seminary has a section that's almost a shrine) I can't help but sense "he doth protest too much" when he out to correct the evils of people like McLaren. The guy's a crusader, and I have to admit that I've placed him in my category reserved for the likes of Al Mohler, Pat Robertson (let's assinate ALL the atheists!), Fawell, et. al. When he actually seems ready to have a true "conversation" or dialogue with those he disagrees with, I'm ready to listen but this is just more finger pointing. Save the band width on this guy Mike.

[Michael Kruse]

Will, I didn't check his hand. It was more like a cloven hoof.

[Michael Kruse]

I read a book by his wife a time back that I thought was actually pretty could about women in ministry. I haven't read any of his books. If the review I linked was at all typical, I can see what you mean.

Still, it is good every now and then to see what the those who are annoying are saying.

[lorrell]

Gosh, I kinda liked some of Groothuis' stuff. But probably not everything he's written, and hey, I haven't been to seminary. Yikes, am I a "foundationalist"? Can't say I even knew what that was, but, as I say, I'm a layperson and I pale in comparison to the theological intellects around here.

I read the McLaren book in question a while back. Sometimes I agreed with it and sometimes I wanted to throw it across the room. Here's a layperson's question: is "emergent" universalism? Can you tell I'm clueless about this, even if a friend of mine did a presentation with "THE McLaren" at the last emergent here in N'vegas?

Hey, I'm just an ignorant former Lutheran, former Presbyterian, former Episcopal, now non-member of a strange Baptist church. *BG*

[Michael Kruse]

No. Emergent is in universalism (although I wouldn't doubt there are some.) Also, McLaren does not speak for the Emergent folks nor does anyone else. Actually, I don't interpret McLaren's perspective as being universal. I think he is challenging the tradtional notion of hell, and the evangelical obsession with salvation instead of call.

I look at Emergent folks mostly as people who have become utterly disenchanted with present manifestations of the church and are stepping out to see what God might have in store. There are a wide variety of theological perspectives included. I think it is less about advancing a particular set of doctrinal issues more about being a Christian in a postmodern era. They are ususally united by their belief that the old models of church in the modern era area no longer appropriate.