Big Consequences. Big Opportunities. Big Choices.

Last updated on: July 26, 2013 at 1:18 pm By Brian McLaren

I don’t often engage in prediction, but here’s one I can venture to make, not as prognostication, but as warning and call to action. American Christians of all denominations and races are going to choose between four widely diverging paths in the decade ahead. The first road – wide and well-paved – invites its travelers to double down on the subtly morphing agenda of the Religious Right. Under a so-called pro-life, pro-family, pro-security, anti-debt, anti-immigrant flag, people on this road... Read more

Trayvon and George: A Tale of Two Americas

Last updated on: July 15, 2013 at 11:02 pm By Brian McLaren

Emerging America owns both Trayvon and George as their beloved sons, their Cain and Abel, their Jacob and Esau, their older and younger sons in Jesus’ most famous (but often worst-interpreted) parable. That’s why Emerging America is heartbroken about the recent verdict. Read more

Q&R: The Word “Marriage”

Last updated on: July 8, 2013 at 2:41 pm By Brian McLaren

Here’s the Question from a Reader: Recently read your book another kind of Christianity and it made me think a lot. Also challenged some of my traditional conservative beliefs.One thing it did was show me that there were classes of people I just did not like. But Jesus loved everyone ! Another thing was love for gay people that I did not have before. It amazes me how God can Change or hearts. I was wondering with all the DOMA... Read more

An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters

Last updated on: June 3, 2013 at 7:06 pm By Brian McLaren

Several years ago, I wrote an open letter for worship songwriters and leaders. It appeared inWorship Leader magazine and was widely distributed. It seemed like time for an update (especially in light of the “Liturgical Challenge” section of my most recent book) … Feel free to pass it on to a worship leader or songwriter you know and love: An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters (2013) (by Brian D. McLaren, www.brianmclaren.net) Greetings, fellow songwriters, fellow worshippers, fellow leaders in worship, fellow musician/artists,... Read more

Q&R: Christ and His Death

Last updated on: May 21, 2013 at 2:13 pm By Brian McLaren

Here’s the Question: Hi Brian. Great work you doing, Bro. Hang in there. A question about your Christology. Have read several of your books but can’t really get a handle on your idea of the need for Christ and His death. If you don’t believe in original sin, what do you think was the purpose of the cross then? Thanks and will keep following yr blog. Here’s the Response: This is an important question. The places I deal with this... Read more

Q&R: Bible Study Materials for a 7-Year-Old?

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 at 1:07 pm By Brian McLaren

Here’s the Q: I am most of the way through “Why did….cross the road” and loving it. My question is after reading chapter 21, where can i find a good bible story resource for doing with my 7-year-old? Here’s the R: First, I’m so glad you’re asking this question. If we’re going to reduce hostility between religions, we need to stop pumping hostility into new generations – whether intentionally or unintentionally. Shifting from hostility to benevolence won’t happen by accident; as I... Read more

Bible Study: Does Hebrews support blood atonement?

Last updated on: April 19, 2013 at 11:59 am By Brian McLaren

I noticed that my friend Tony Jones is frustrated with Hebrews (an anonymous epistle in the New Testament) for its atonement theory. I wrote a chapter on atonement and eucharist in my most recent book, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? I knew I had to deal with Hebrews and so dug in for a thorough study of the whole epistle, heavily resourced by Girardian/mimetic approaches to the text. I became convinced that Hebrews actually argues against blood atonement... Read more

Q&R: Law is Love?

Last updated on: April 9, 2013 at 10:37 pm By Brian McLaren

The "righteousness" that must "surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees" if we are to live in the commonwealth of God: going beyond a law written on stone (or paper), to a law written on the heart: the law of love. Read more