Generous Orthodoxy

[Jenni]

You can read my review of it here.

[Tooktheredpill]

To be honest I haven't read anything by McLaren, yet. It's not that I think he's too liberal or anything. He just exudes a pseudo-intellectual persona, IMO. He trys waaay too hard to appear intellectual. I'd rather read books by actual intellectuals/scholars like N.T. Wright. But then again I probably should read at least one of his books before I judge.

[LMcC]

I liked the book. It isn't a book I'd recommend to anyone who thinks they have to agree 100% with the author because it is impossible to agree with him 100%. If someone can handle exposure to some different viewpoints and doesn't mind the occasional sharp yank out of their comfort zone, it's a great read.

I really liked the part about "Seven Jesuses I Have Known". It will yank a conservative evangelical/Fundamentalist out of the old comfort zone in a very good way.

[co_heir]

Generous Orthodoxy was the first of McLaren's books that I read. I thought it was a good book. I like his emphasis on learning from other traditions within the Church. I don't see Brian as trying to be intellectual. He was trained as an English major, and writes like one. He's not a deep theologian like N.T. Wright (who is another of my favorites), but he taken a lot of time to think about things. In person, he's rather unassuming and very gracious.

I think some of his other books push some things too far in the typical "liberal" direction, but the thing I appreciate about his writing is that if you read it with an open mind, it will make you think and question assumptions that may not be Biblical, as well as questioning what he is saying.