In his book A New Kind of ChristianityBrian McLaren raises 10 questions designed to help churches/Christians be reborn and thus better able to function/minister in a post-Modern era.
#6 – The Church Question: What Do We Do About the Church?
Here, McLaren argues for the diversity and unity of Christian congregations. They are to be diverse in the way they serve, minister, and express the Christian faith. They are to be united in sharing one common mission. The mission? “To form Christlike people, people of Christlike love.” McLaren argues that this is the one vision for all congregations.
Referring to 1 Corinthians, McLaren notes, “The church, then, in Paul’s mind, must be above all a school of love. If it’s not that, it’s nothing. Its goal is not simply to pump knowledge into people, but to train them in the ‘way of love,’ so they may do the ‘work of the Lord,’ empowered by the Holy Spirit, as the embodiment of Christ.”
This is one of the chapters where I wish McLaren had spent more time. It has rich potential, but he makes his point and moves on to the Sex Question (where just the opposite problem occurs – he spends too much time there!). My guess is that this chapter is really just a set-up for the Sex Question chapters. Having established the church as a “school of love” he now moves on to a controversial conversation about how the church should embrace those of different sexual orientations.
#7 – The Sex Question: Can We Find a Way to Address Human Sexuality Without Fighting About It?
Here, McLaren takes on “fundasexuality,” “a neologism that describes a reactive, combative brand of religious fundamentalism that preoccupies itself with sexuality.” He faults the church for 1) treating homosexuals poorly, and 2) viewing homosexuality as sin. Regarding the former, McLaren’s prophetic voice is needed and appreciated. Regarding the latter, however, McLaren’s arguments are based less on Scripture (not at all, in fact) and more on a philosophical argument regarding the way the Greco-Roman narrative has colored our interpretation of texts on homosexuality. He ultimately seems to argue that since Jesus didn’t condemn homosexuality, neither can we.
This is one of the poorest chapters in the book. One wonders why it’s there at all. There are other issues that directly impact many more people (like global poverty) and which would be more likely candidates for a top-ten list of global questions which the church ought to ask and answer. It is clear that the chapter appears primarily from personal issues and agendas of McLaren’s.
