Read "A Generous Orthodoxy"

I’m only a through the introduction for “A Generous Orthodoxy” but I found this interesting quote:

A warning: as in most of my other books, there are places here where I have gone out of my way to be provocative, mischievous, and unclear, reflecting my belief that clarity is sometimes overrated, and that shock, obscurity, playfulness, and intrigue (carefully articulated) often stimulate more thought than clarity.

I’ve seen several reviews that revile the idea and call it a rejection of Truth. That kind of thinking treats theology and the pursuit of God more like studying physics. Why are we certain that we know God that well? Certainly there are some things that we must say with certainty or else we have no place at all on which to stand “mischievously” and “playfully.” I think that McLaren would certainly agree with that.

Personally, I find the idea refreshing, and am looking forward to the rest of the book.

I devoured Generous Orthodoxy in a couple of days. I’m going back now to re-read. Since I’m giving up buying new books for Lent, this is good timing. I am also a big fan of Borg and Spong… McLaren is helping me balance them in a way that works for me.

McLaren is both an excellent writer and speaker. I heard him speak at a Youth Specialties Conference in St. Louis a few years back and he raised some excellent questions. I chatted with a bit following a seminar he also led.

G

This book is excellent. Brian Maclaren is a challenging Christian thinking that anyone who is interested discovering where the church is going should read this book!