A Generous Orthodoxy

Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, anabaptist/anglican, incarnational,

By: Brian D. McLaren

Narrated by: Brian D. McLaren

A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement. A Generous Orthodoxy calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. Brian McLaren argues for a post-liberal, post-conservative, post-protestant convergence, which will stimulate lively interest and global conversation among thoughtful Christians from all traditions.In a sweeping exploration of belief, author Brian McLaren takes us across the landscape of faith, envisioning an orthodoxy that aims for Jesus, is driven by love, and is defined by missional intent. A Generous Orthodoxy rediscovers the mysterious and compelling ways that Jesus can be embraced across the entire Christian horizon. Rather than establishing what is and is not “orthodox,” McLaren walks through the many traditions of faith, bringing to the center a way of life that draws us closer to Christ and to each other. Whether you find yourself inside, outside, or somewhere on the fringe of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy draws you toward a way of living that looks beyond the “us/them” paradigm to the blessed and ancient paradox of “we.”

Really good stuff for a 1980 seminary graduate

Seems good to me. Really good stuff for a 1980 seminary graduate. Really helpful stuff

A kind attempt

If you’re already generally familiar with progressive Christianity you’ll likely hear its drumbeat in the words of this book. The text is gracious for sure to what progressives have embraced for decades but seems to be a revelation to the author as his journey through Christianity unfolded. While he does a correct job of defining the literal meaning of orthodoxy his conclusions don’t stray too far from the modern picture of a genteel God whose definition of love is affection and tenderness without delving into other attributes of God’s holiness. Or the expectation that God’s people strive for a holiness beyond doing good deeds for others. There were some wonderful insights to the differences and qualities (and some shortcomings) amongst the varied Christian denominations. The title’s use of the word orthodoxy is a bit of a click bate in that it didn’t really offer a praxis of orthodoxy beyond what progressives already believe. There appears to be in this group of thinkers an unwillingness to say “no” to modern sentiments about morality and still think orthodoxy can exist in disobedient people.

Hope!

After a while, most books on Christian spirituality start to sound the same -- or one of three kinds of "same": conservative Catholic/Anglican, Conservative Protestant or liberal Protestant/Catholic. Just when I decided to stop listening to the genre, the twinkle in McLaren's eye in the cover photo of this audiobook invited me to download another. For once I think you can judge a book by its cover! McLaren sifts through the best in all the flavours of contemporary Christian traditions in this short book. His is not quite a synthesis, but a generous openness to and celebration of the best in each, leaving room for doctrinal and procedural differences. He clarifies jargon, and rather than "blah blah alleuia amen," every word he speaks/writes makes meaning. I don't agree with him on every point, but his style invites me to respectfully consider his persective rather than dismiss the differences. If we all could adopt that attitude!

His narration is excellent-- warm, well-paced, good-humoured, self-deprecating. I enjoy younger emergent Christisn thinkers like Shaine Claiborne and Rob Bell, but I REALLY enjoyed McLaren who is of my generation (though not my denomination) as he told of his faith journey though his 1950s chidhood to the new millenium. In the end, that 's the best thing about this book - The conten doesn't come from McLaren's head but his lived experience in relating to Jesus and neighbour in differnt types of community.

great book!

Another incredibly inspiring work by Brian McClaren. Definitely worth the listen! I may even listen to it a second time.

Behind by 2000 Years

Lame. An American Evangelical realizes being a bigot and a jerk isn't Christian and thinks he discovered something.