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163rd out of 763 books
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608 voters
A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am a Missional, Evangelical, Post/Protestant, Liberal/Conservative, Mystical/Poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/Contemplative, Fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Metho
Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed- yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian. A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement. A Generous Orthodoxy...more
Paperback, Abridged, 348 pages
Published
January 1st 2006
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published February 1st 2004)
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I found A Generous Orthodoxy thought-provoking. McLaren uses honesty and wit to portray hard things with gentleness. I especially enjoyed the following points:
The Seven Jesuses I Have Known - McLaren discusses in detail the different ways Jesus has been manifested in his life. In particular, I identified with the Conservative Protestant Jesus (since I grew up in a Southern Baptist church…); it was the first time I realized that the Jesus of my church life is not necessarily the Jesus of the rest...more
The Seven Jesuses I Have Known - McLaren discusses in detail the different ways Jesus has been manifested in his life. In particular, I identified with the Conservative Protestant Jesus (since I grew up in a Southern Baptist church…); it was the first time I realized that the Jesus of my church life is not necessarily the Jesus of the rest...more
Jul 10, 2008
Pete
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
read my review
Recommended to Pete by:
Phil Hudson
The highly scrutinized, non-self-proclaimed manual for the Emerging Church movement.
Pros: I enjoy the thoughtful, stream of conscious, rabbit trail writing that I think McLaren feels at home with. The authors humility and personal pursuit of Christ is evident. I think that the label of "relativistic-pluralist" by some critics is harsh. He is not denouncing the fundamentals of the Gospel, instead is affirming them and encouraging that we constantly grow and mature in our understanding and applic...more
Pros: I enjoy the thoughtful, stream of conscious, rabbit trail writing that I think McLaren feels at home with. The authors humility and personal pursuit of Christ is evident. I think that the label of "relativistic-pluralist" by some critics is harsh. He is not denouncing the fundamentals of the Gospel, instead is affirming them and encouraging that we constantly grow and mature in our understanding and applic...more
Jun 26, 2008
Karen Mcintyre
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Karen by:
Anyone wondering how to unite with or accept Christian viewpoint
Shelves:
faith
In 1989 I did storytelling at an regional event in PA. The keynote presenter was a Serminary professor Leonard Sweet. What he said resonated deeply with me...an over-simplification was that we no longer live in an either/or world. We live in an AND world. He spoke about paradox and the nature of truth in ways I had not been exposed to and I understood for the first time, why I was uncomfortable with the very conservative Christians who believed that they heard the voice of Jesus in everything in...more
This book was my introduction to the writing of Brian McLaren and, I must admit, it was not what I expected. Though I do not agree with all that McLaren postulates, I found the book to be very provocative and thought-engendering. If McLaren can be put into any box it would have to be one that opposes almost any 'us/them' distinctions. McLaren fulfills his statement regarding he purpose of the book - i.e., that he is writing "to try to help us realign our religion and our lives at least a little...more
I picked up this book with extreme trepidation. I read many negative reviews on this book. More negative than positive for sure.
I felt like McLaren was trying to pick a fight with his title. In fact, my wife barely made it through the introduction. Here are a couple of paragraphs from the introduction. You be the judge:
The word orthodoxy means “straight thinking” or “right opinion.” The last thing I want to get into is nauseating arguments about why this or that form of theology (dispensational...more
I felt like McLaren was trying to pick a fight with his title. In fact, my wife barely made it through the introduction. Here are a couple of paragraphs from the introduction. You be the judge:
The word orthodoxy means “straight thinking” or “right opinion.” The last thing I want to get into is nauseating arguments about why this or that form of theology (dispensational...more
McLaren put into plain words most of my sentiments towards today's Christendom. McClaren has two theses that he develops through the book. The first is that the modern era warped Christianity in some significant ways: a near obsession with rationalism, minimalism, systematic theologies, and denominationalism.
The second thesis is that Christianity needs to enter into the post-modern era. McClaren illustrates the "emergent" church, which is characterized by a missional attitude of saving and tran...more
The second thesis is that Christianity needs to enter into the post-modern era. McClaren illustrates the "emergent" church, which is characterized by a missional attitude of saving and tran...more
Moving from orthodoxy to orthopraxy. I'm reminded of Thomas a Kempis who said, "What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it."
McLaren moves the reader from simple orthodoxy of the mind sort, to orthopraxy which is connected to orthodoxy (but not in the way a western reader m...more
McLaren moves the reader from simple orthodoxy of the mind sort, to orthopraxy which is connected to orthodoxy (but not in the way a western reader m...more
Huzzah for my first McLaren book with some real CONTENT! Don't get me wrong; I have enjoyed McLaren's books written prior to this one, but the best they really do is say, "Hey guys: you are missing some big points about Jesus here, and it would really be worth your time checking them out!" But they never actually give the reader a good understanding of what McLaren believes those big points are.
This book lays them out.
The part that is sticking with me best (and which I am finding all kinds of pa...more
This book lays them out.
The part that is sticking with me best (and which I am finding all kinds of pa...more
A elderly pastor named Ray from Maine shared with me what a impact this book had on his life. Ray was amazing, his tender heart, his genuine interest in me left me feeling loved and understood. He was a leftist revolutionary in his early days before coming to Christ, and God revolutionized his life. Yet still he was out of the box when it came to radical love. I think he was in his late 70s and he purposely moved into a really poor and crime ridden neighborhood, because that was were his heart w...more
Challenging. This is a good book that tackles many different Christian viewpoints and attempts to sort out the common denominator. Or maybe not... maybe I have it wrong. McLaren is somewhat difficult to read with his (as a previous reviewer called it) stream of consciousness writing style. I appreciated his honesty however and that he repeatedly acknowledges that he still is unfinished as a disclaimer for his thoughts. In one case, a reader might approach it as a summary of different denominatio...more
I almost didn't read this book, assuming from the title that McClaren would be wishy washy and glib. Instead I found him to be humble , honest and always respectful. Furthermore, much of the book's contents resonated with me as I deal with my own attempts to
continue to work out (my) salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
Chapter 8 , entitled "Why I Am Liberal/Conservative" , contains the best succinct summary of the problems facing post modern Christianity and the historical root...more
As the complete title suggests, Brian McLaren is seeking a broad (but still specific) definition of Christianity, and of orthodox beliefs within the Christian faith. Because of his approach, it's very difficult to summarize "A Generous Orthodoxy" without referring to it as just that -- a very generous definition of what a Christian is.
McLaren is very inclusive in answering the question "who is a Christian?". However, he is thoughtful with that inclusion. Rather than stating that all interpretat...more
McLaren is very inclusive in answering the question "who is a Christian?". However, he is thoughtful with that inclusion. Rather than stating that all interpretat...more
Like traveling around the world, moving through different denominations can nurture in you a sense of appreciation for diversity, unique beauty of each, and awareness of an increasingly larger/whole picture despite the equally increasing tension among the particulars. Such is what McLauren helps us to see through his personal journey of faith, in a very humble, compassionate, and respectful tone that is permeated by the love of God. Much of what he says resonates deeply with my experience and al...more
I want to give fair warning that I read an abridged version in case the full version would have cleared this up. This book may be uneasy, which is a good thing in the sense that it made me examine the assumptions in which my life and faith are based. The author's gentle and persistent urging to approach our convictions with humility, most especially in matters we hold as Truth, is something the Holy Spirit has been impressing upon me also.
Still, I tend to hold the uneasiness that one of his frie...more
Still, I tend to hold the uneasiness that one of his frie...more
I won't deny that I am a fan, so to speak, of Brian McLaren, that I constantly find him refreshing, offering fresh perspectives that I thoroughly enjoy time after time, especially since I, myself, tend to not believe in the more literal, doctrinal, typical representations of Christianity. So I really do enjoy the way he explains concepts and terms in a way that I find much more relate-able for those of us who do understand the message of Jesus differently.
The approach of this book, as we are tol...more
The approach of this book, as we are tol...more
I’m glad I read this because of all the hub-bub about the “emerging church” movement, but I don’t think I will read it again. I appreciate MacLaren’s questions and the fact that he seeks to dialogue with North American culture and give attention to the varied expressions of Christianity throughout history, but I find him theologically confusing and often completely unfair and reductionistic towards most Christian traditions. Of course, he admits as much in chapter 0, but I think he would have wr...more
I found A Generous Orthodoxy thought-provoking and a very worthwhile read. I understand that the book is controversial, which I find rather sad in some ways as many of the arguments expressed are beautiful. Although the writing style itself might drive some nuts- as it did my partner -- I liked it. His book is a very deeply thought out declaration of faith based on the important premise that we--none of us--- have the absolute truth. He affirms the fundamentals of the Gospel and encouraging that...more
In this book, McLaren attempts to clarify and demystify some of the facets of Christianity that he most readily identifies with, or that most influence his relationship to Christ and the Church community. It's a mixed bag of information, history, insights, question marks, philosophy, quotes, personal essay, and wake up call. But, that is purposeful, according to the introduction and "Chapter 0" (a somewhat humorous idea to start a book with a pre-chapter warning that you may not agree with or li...more
Brian McLaren is a controversial figure for many, but I enjoyed his frankness in this book. It struck a chord with me in a time when I was looking for more balance among contemporary Christian thinkers. And I appreciated that his arguments are well thought out and not complaining and petulant. Challenging and thought-provoking.
I have read this twice now. What I like most is McLaren's openness about his process and not having all the answers. I identify, and I saw myself at various places throughout. I hate boxes, too. The juxtapositions he chooses made me think in whole new ways.
I recommend this book to readers who have issues with the church -- McLaren does too -- as well as to those who just might have an inkling that things aren't as neat as they've been told in their particular church.
In the first chapter, Chapter...more
I recommend this book to readers who have issues with the church -- McLaren does too -- as well as to those who just might have an inkling that things aren't as neat as they've been told in their particular church.
In the first chapter, Chapter...more
I enjoy reading books that I disagree with on topics I care about, because I believe that truth can withstand a challenge. I also think it equips me to consider ideas and talk about them with greater care. On that basis, I found this book enjoyable a few years ago when I read it.
What I did not particularly enjoy were McLaren's meticulous and manipulative attempts to be disarming. He's obviously a friendly and intelligent guy who knows the Evangelical landscape like the back of his hand, and he u...more
What I did not particularly enjoy were McLaren's meticulous and manipulative attempts to be disarming. He's obviously a friendly and intelligent guy who knows the Evangelical landscape like the back of his hand, and he u...more
I thought this was an interesting read. He writes in a clear and concise manner and adds humor to the book that a lot of theology writers don't have. He makes a good case for why we can be all of those things....why we don't have to choose to alienate one another with our titles and labels.
This is probably the book with the longest title that I have read. Ever.
A Generous Orthodoxy:... is what McLaren describes himself as a confession. By this he means not an admission of misdemeanours or an apology for wrong deeds, rather an expression of his own particular stance at the present time. I gather that this is a book that has caused controversy in some parts of the Christian 'world', one that has caused either a 'love it' or 'hate it' response in its readers, just as McLaren himself d...more
A Generous Orthodoxy:... is what McLaren describes himself as a confession. By this he means not an admission of misdemeanours or an apology for wrong deeds, rather an expression of his own particular stance at the present time. I gather that this is a book that has caused controversy in some parts of the Christian 'world', one that has caused either a 'love it' or 'hate it' response in its readers, just as McLaren himself d...more
Though I have heard much about the emergent church in the last few years, as with most things, there were a few mixed signals about just what the emergent church is and what it stands for. McLaren admits that this is not the definitive book on the emergent church nor is it an attempt to write the emergent version of the Westminster Confession. What he does is give us a vision for what Christianity could be, without making excuses for its past or abandoning the either the Holy Scriptures or the l...more
I started reading this, took a break from it and read the "A New Kind of Christian" trilogy. I'm glad I did, b/c I found it easier to understand some of the concepts McLaren was referencing after I'd been introduced to them in ANKOC. I would recommend reading at least ANKOC first, if not the trilogy, to get a basic understanding of what he means regarding postmodernism and the postmodern church. I don't claim to fully understand what he means, and will continue with my reading and discussions, b...more
To say that this book finally helped me realize that I'd become a Christian somewhere along the way would be glib. But I will say that it helped clarify some of my ambivalence over my religious identity. A worthwhile read.
I'm still reading this. Stopped midway as I started researching the author and finding out if his views (controversial they may be) are seen by mainstream Christian organisations as biblical and legitimate.
Definitelynt a speed read. This is a book designed for slow digestion and though. Brings forth the beauty of the different parts of the Church, and incites a real desire for more unity or at least tolerance within it.
This is my favorite McLaren book. He looks at a number of the Christian traditions and basically says what he thinks is good & bad in each. I think his idea is to keep the good & throw out the bad.
1 like · like · see review
Dec 06, 2007
Jhcuatro
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone that has ever thought about what they believe.
God is way bigger than I. There are people who are challenging the "boundaries" and pushing the "walls" of what it means to be a Christian.
I learned that, "I don't know what I once knew."
I learned that, "I don't know what I once knew."
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Brian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.
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“I’m sure I am wrong about many things, although I’m not sure exactly which things I’m wrong about. I’m even sure I’m wrong about what I think I’m right about in at least some cases.”
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15 people liked it
“We must never underestimate our power to be wrong when talking about God, when thinking about God, when imagining God, whether in prose or in poetry. A generous orthodoxy, in contrast to the tense, narrow, or controlling orthodoxies of so much of Christian history, doesn't take itself too seriously. It is humble. It doesn't claim too much. It admits it walks with a limp.”
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10 people liked it
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Nov 21, 2007 07:03pm