Critique of Brian McLaren

I recently was made aware of a website that offered free books to anyone who would read them and post a 200 word review on their blog and on a retail website. As I am always on the lookout for ways to build my library at little to no cost I jumped on the opportunity. The site lets you browse 10-15 different books and lets you choose the one that you want to receive and review. When I first signed up the selection of books was relatively uninteresting, but I did find a book that was the opener for a series on the "Ancient Practices." This book was authored by Brian McLaren. At the time I did not know much about him. I had heard his name associated with the Emergent Church Movement, but other than that knew nothing about him.

Some are of the opinion that a Conservative Christian should not be reading books that come from such a radically liberal camp, but I disagree on that point. I feel that it is good to be exposed to what they have to offer and to what they are teaching. My reason for this opinion is that there will be people in our churches and communities that find the insights provided by the Emergent camp to be very "helpful" and "beneficial" to their Christian life. Not all believers are discerning readers so it is necessary for Pastors and leaders in the church to be at least acquainted with what these people are reading when they pick up a book that comes from these circles. There are some things that we can learn from them (though it is typically very little) and some teachings that we need to be quite wary of because they sound ever so close to biblical truth but in reality undermine the authority of scripture.

I say all this to say that I was fairly optimistic when I picked up the book Finding Our Way Again: A Return to the Ancient Practices, by McLaren. The first chapter didn’t seem to present or indicate that there was any kind of problem with his theology. In that first chapter he introduced the problem that he desired to address. His claim was basically that Christianity had become a system of belief that had little or no effect on the personal everyday lives of those who claimed to adhere to it. I cannot disagree with his assessment of the problem. I am sad to say that many of those who claim to be Christians do not live like it; they bear no fruit; and they are miserable in their sin. McLarens solution, though, is where his true colors start flying. He claims that we ought to utilize the practices of ancient Christian’s (he uses the term “Christian” loosely so as to include those from Eastern Orthodoxy, Judaism, as well as Muslims) as a “footpath toward a life that is truly alive.” This pathway is not one specific “way,” but could be any number of different ways or paths to the one end of living “a life that is truly alive.” He says nothing about biblically living a life that is pleasing to God. He says nothing about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. He says nothing about the grace of God that brings men into a right relationship with God. McLaren apparently does not think too highly of scripture.

After reading the book I did a little research on McLaren and found that he could be considered to be anything, but a biblical Christian. He denies the truth that Christ is the only way, truth, and life and believes that people can come to the Father by means other than through Jesus Christ alone. Therefore, I don’t think that McLaren is even saved. He claims that men like Ghandi (a Hindu) sought to follow the way of Christ without identifying themselves with Christ. Last I checked that was completely unbiblical. One that does not “take up his cross and follow after Me (Christ) is not worthy of Me,” (Matt. 10:38). McLaren says that it is “advisable in many circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts.” How can one truly be a follower of Christ and not forsake those beliefs that are contrary to Christ?

My Conclusion:

McLaren is essentially a “postmodern Christian,” which is no Christian at all. He holds that we cannot objectively and absolutely know truth and that there is not absolute and exclusive way to God. He is NOT a Christian and should NOT be considered to be an authority on any topic relating to Christian/Biblical Theology or Christian living. He knows nothing of what it means to be a true follower of Christ. I think it is safe to say that Brian McLaren is what Paul calls a "false-teacher."

I am not saying that you ought never to read anything written by him. I wouldn’t suggest it unless you are able and willing to read with a biblically discerning spirit. His books are great places to develop your critical thinking skills, but are terrible if you are looking for something to help you grow in Christ.

2 Timothy 2:15

            “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”