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![[ Bob Hostetler ]](http://www.bobhostetler.com/images/2003/logo2003.jpg){kind=logo}
Book ReviewsA New Kind of ChristianBrian McLaren’s book, A
New Kind of Christian, is exceptional in a number of ways. It is exceptional in
style. True to his own convictions about the importance (and effectiveness)
of “story” and experience, he makes the case for a new kind of
Christian by weaving a tale of a burned-out pastor whose life is changed by
an ongoing conversation with an older mentor. Using fiction, journal entries,
and email exchanges, McLaren manages to keep his
forays into philosophy, theology, and spirituality readable all the way
through. It will be
exceptionally scary to some. If I had read this book ten—or even
five—years ago, I would have been offended (like the main character of
the book at one point). And many “modern” Christians will
definitely find this book offensive and threatening. They will want to
condemn its premise and argue with its claims…and in so doing, they
just might show the extent of their allegiance to modernity (rather than to
Christ). It is also exceptional
in tone. McLaren manages to present his
case—for a new kind of Christian that is not blindly loyal to
modernism, scared of postmodernism, nor unfaithful to God and his
Word—in a way that (to paraphrase another reviewer) eschews “control, condescension,
and smug certainty [in favor of] incarnational faith.” It’s a rare book
that I can read free (from the library), and then determine after reading
that I must one a copy. But this is one such book. It’s also a rare
book I find so enjoyable and helpful that I plan to reread it. This is one such
book also. |
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Copyright © 2005, Bob Hostetler |