Brian McLaren on Gaining the World....

[marc]

again, from unChristian

From a vantage point further in the future, I think that an honest diagnosis will tell the truth about the pivotal role the Religious Right has played in these depressing statistics. In the aftermath of the Religious Right's ascendancy, it is not an accident that "antihomosexual" is the number one perception of Christians in America these days, followed closely by "judgmental" and "hypocritical" and "insensitive." Young people today could, if we had taken a wiser path for the last few decades, think "antipoverty" or "pro-environment" or "pro-fidelity" or "antiviolence" when they hear "Christian" or "evangelical. But because of the path influential people have taken over the last thirty years or so, what young people think of the Religious Right is what they think about evangelicals and even Christians in general.

That's why some of us believe that leaders in the Religious Right have, in a classic case of gaining the world and losing the soul, successfully gained political clout but helped lose our next generation.

[Big Mike Lewis]

So in order to be a good Christian now and change our perspective in the world, we have to become a liberal democrat on the religious left?

[marc]

Point is that many have been saying the exact opposite--that Christianity equals right wing politics, and this is badly damaging the name of Christianity.

I don't expect agreement on this, but I thought it was important that it was put out there.

[Jimbob]

Pendullum swings are what I see.  Swing to the right, swing to the left, both extremes will miss the point (the point not being to become moderates, but another option altogether: healthy).

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
~Isaiah 30:21 NIV

[James Rondon]

McLaren and his movement are another in the long list of pendulum swings, and reactionism.

[marc]

I'm going to try to post more later.  I'm running a fever right now and am not coherent (I've had to go back and retype half the words so far because extra letters are showing up).  I understand the fears, but I think--at least I hope--that what's being talked about goes deeper.

I'm in a position right now whereI will likely vote for the least pro-life of the three likely candidates (McCain, Obama, and Hillary), John McCain, because I trust his leadership.  As far as I can see, however, the only pro-life position he holds to is the one on abortion.  He is anti-life on national health care, the issue on which the next president will be able to save the most lives (the next president isn't going to end abortion--that has to be fought out in public opinion first).

But I think the country needs a strong leader right now.  I don't think the threat of terrorism is over--I believe we're likely to be hit again.  He's the one I want in charge when this happens.



Anyway, I read an interesting article in Relevant a couple of days ago called registered, undecided.

Here's a quote that I can identify with:

Everyone is owned by somebody, sometimes a lot of somebodies, no one is consistent, no one is "Christian

[Big Mike Lewis]

I'm going to try to post more later.  I'm running a fever right now and am not coherent (I've had to go back and retype half the words so far because extra letters are showing up).

I hope you feel better.

[marc]

Thanks, but unfortunately things are going the opposite direction.  The room went dark and started swirling a few minutes ago.