Countdown Day 61
Paradigms and dogma can be defended and enforced with guns and prisons, bullets and bonfires, threats and humiliations, fatwas and excommunications. But paradigms and dogmas remain profoundly vulnerable when anomalies are present. They can be undone by something as simple as a question. (16)
From A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (available February 9, 2010)
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Encouraging note from a Liberty University grad
I recently received this encouraging note ...
I just finished the 3rd and final book in the New Kind of Christian series. I wanted to thank you for writing each book. Your compassion and humility are seen throughout them. I was raised in an extremely conservative/baptist family and community. I actually thought that liberals were destined for hell. I went to Jerry Falwell's University in Virginia and never really felt quite comfortable there. Things weren't matching up very well between what I was being told and all the questions I didn't have answers to. ... The last few years have been quite a journey for me. I sympathize with Dan's character. My mind too, has been spinning with thoughts for years. I came across your books at the perfect time. I am hoping to receive A Generous Orthodoxy for Christmas. In due time, I will read all the books you have written. THANK YOU for all the work, time, energy, research, and love you put into these books. They have been a great blessing in my life.
It's always great to hear the books have been of help to folks. If you're interested in ordering any of my books as Christmas gifts, here's my amazon page.
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Countdown Day 62
As you've been able to tell from previous quotes, the image of pregnancy figures quite strongly in A New Kind of Christianity.
Giving birth, any mother will tell you, is no Sunday school picnic. So we’d better get realistic about the obstacles we face. (13)
From A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (available February 9, 2010)
If any female bloggers would like to open up some discussion on what pregnancy and birth have taught them about the spiritual life, Christian leadership, and giving birth to a new kind of Christianity, let me know and I'll include links here.
Pregnancy is about producing the next generation, so you might think in terms of Christian Faith: The Next Generation. In fact, you could make a whole set of analogies around Captain Kirk and ... actually, that's just what my friend the late Stanley Grenz explored, as you can see here.
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Back home again …
I got home last night from my last speaking tour of the year. What a year it's been. About a hundred days away ... in Costa Rica, Washington DC, Winston-Salem, Point Loma, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Orlando, Spring Arbor, Upland, Boston, Austin, Louisville, Albuquerque, Canton, Harrisonburg, Hendersonville, North Park, Little Rock, Portland ME, Dominican Republic, Vancouver, South Africa, Ireland, Los Angeles, Halifax, Greenwich, New Haven, Blues Creek, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Aukland, Keyser, Winchester, Staunton, Chattanooga, Dallas, Camden, Philadelphia, Durham, Riverside, Pasadena, Beverly Hills (and I'm sure I missed a few!). Eight fascinating countries, so many interesting denominations and faith communities, uncountable amazing people.
I've heard inspiring stories, been welcomed by beautiful faith communities, met exemplary leaders, heard tremendous music and experienced glorious worship ... and through it all I hope I've been able to pass on to others some small fragment of what I've received and learned.
Now I'm looking forward to catching my breath with family and looking ahead to next year. Thanks to all of you who have connected with me in some way this year - at an event, via brianmclaren.net or facebook or twitter, in a coffee shop, or through prayer. I am grateful beyond words.
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Countdown Day 63
Today's quote is especially important for those of us who sometimes take heat for the questions we're asking and the answers we're exploring. We must keep our hands and hearts open in love - never clenched in defensiveness or aggression. If you're struggling with that, here's a link to a prayer that has helped me again and again.
Not everyone wants to join the quest for a new kind of Christianity. But that’s okay. Skeptics’ resistance, suspicion, and opposition are actually a gift, and through their critique we on the quest will grow wiser and stronger. In this way, even they will contribute to what is trying to be born in, through, and among us. (13)
From A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (available February 9, 2010)
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