The subtitle on Bruce McLaren’s book is: “How the world’s largest religion is seeking a better way to be Christian.”

The reflections here are taken from my review of McLaren’s book on Goodreads.

Brian McLaren joins others with evangelical Christian backgrounds (i.e., Jim Wallis, David Gushee) who remain in the Christian faith but have moved into what some are calling a “progressive” Christian movement.

In McLaren’s case, he calls for Christians to focus on living out Jesus’ love rather than emphasis on correct beliefs. He states: “What I care about is whether they are teaching people to live a life of love, from the heart, for God, for all people (no exceptions), and for all creation.”

However, it is not, he says about “pledging mushy allegiance to an undefined spirituality without religion.”

He sees Christians continuing on a trajectory they have always followed: Many Christians used to defend slavery; now they do not. Some used to believe the conquest of “pagan” lands and forced conversion of natives was God’s will. Few champion that path now.

McLaren strikes a middle path. Conservative Christians have rightly championed family relationships but also supported patriarchal domination. Liberal Christians have disowned patriarchy but failed to teach family skills.

He calls for Christians to migrate to a higher level once again.

I found particularly helpful McLaren’s illustrations of what it means to go beyond conservative and liberal. He calls for movements within our institutions rather than new institutions.

McLaren’s emphasis on migration and growth rather than division is welcome, not only for the new ideas sparked by his book but also for the book’s practicality.