Previous Post – Urgent Prayer Needed

I was excited to be chosen to be an advanced reviewer for Brian McLaren’s new book “Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words” (HaperOne, March 15, 2011) compliments of TheOoze as part of their Viral Bloggers program.  However, the book arrived only a few days ago just as I was hit with a doozey of a cold & flu.  Needless to say, I won’t be reviewing the whole book before it releases in a couple of days.  However, I did want to share some preliminary thoughts.

I will admit that this is the first McLaren book I have read since “A Generous Orthodoxy”.  After that, his books didn’t seem to capture my attention.  I am not anti-McLaren by any stretch, though I have many points of difference with him.  When I read the direction of this new book, however, I was intrigued (more on that in future reviews).

I am currently a few chapters in and I already feel very conflicted.  On one hand, I am thrilled at the trademark McLaren insight into the process of spiritual growth and maturity, promising some very helpful direction ahead.  On the other hand, the language used when discussing the wider Christian tradition, especially American evangelicalism, seems far less gracious than necessary.  I have very real concerns about the expression of the Church as well (though I would point to “The End of Evangelicalism?” by David Fitch for a critique I resonate with), but I feel that, at times, Brian is overly dismissive and sometimes condescending.  I’m convinced that McLaren is not trying to be provocative for its own sake, so why this tone?

One answer came to me as I considered this: Brian is writing as an evangelist.  That is, he wrote this book with a clear desire to connect with those who have rejected Christ because of the hurtful encounters with the kinds of Christians he seems to be criticizing.  I am not convinced his tone is entirely necessary for him to get his message across, but that intention does soften my concern.  Frankly, that very tone does make the book ideal for several people I know who are seeking something meaningful in their lives, yet deeply skeptical about (even hostile towards) Christians.  Still, it leaves me sad.

That being said, I am hopeful about this book.  I will be posting more about it in the weeks to come.

Please note that I received a free review copy of this book from TheOoze with no expectation of a positive review.