Book Review: "Generous Orthodoxy"

Book Review: “Generous Orthodoxy,” McLaren, Brian, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004

“The world has changed. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost, for none now live who remember it.” (Galadriel of Middle Earth)
Are you are familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, The Lord of the Rings? Have you read the books? This line comes from the first book, “The Fellowship of the Ring”. Something many don’t realize is Tolkien’s relationship with C.S. Lewis and his influence in Lewis’ conversion. Both, Tolkien and Lewis were part of a literary group called The Inklings which met weekly to discuss matters of “life and death”. One regular topic was their writing, especially the tension between using overt Christian metaphors in their writing, like Lewis did; or more secular ones, like Tolkien did. (If you have read “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Lord of the Rings”, you will notice their influence on each other).
McLaren uses this line to remind us of how true this is in our world. We, too, sense the world, both secular and Christian is changing. Strange things are happening in unexpected places. Long, familiar assumptions are being called into question. New conversations are taking place between long time adversaries. Why? Failure. Failure of Christians to accomplish their mission, failure to grow.
McLaren address some possible reasons. He asks, “Why would anyone want to be a Christian?” After all, this is a religion that inspired the Crusades and Witch Trials, has supported questionable political programs and policies, and had its share of immoral and unethical TV preachers. McLaren asks questions like, “Does a Christian have to like organ music?” Does a Christian have to vote Republican?” “Does a Christian have to oppose civil rights for homosexuals?” Maybe, he says, you can follow Christ without being a Christian.
I am sure you will probably not agree with all McLaren says, but I guarantee you he will prompt your thinking. He believes that most people who reject Christianity in North America are not rejecting Christ. They withdraw because of religious politics, questionable theological positions, embarrassment from church leaders, boredom (old music, bad sermons, cliché answers to tough questions), and guilt.
What I really connected with was McLaren’s three part description of Jesus; Jesus, as the Son of God, Jesus, as Lord, and Jesus our Savior. These three chapters are worth the whole book.
McLaren then spends the rest of the time explaining what he has learned from other Christians. He puts it this way: “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.” This book is a very good overview of Christianity from the many, diverging viewpoints that exist today.