Brian McLaren is one of the most prolific authors in the Emergent Movement. For several years I have had "very mixed feelings" about McLaren, with my assessment gradually becoming more critical of McLaren's theology. For a long time, it seemed that McLaren was like a theological chameleon... that he could blend in with a variety of theological surroundings... But that has definitely changed.
His general critical stance toward conservative evangelicalism (and I would say the orthodox Christian faith) has become clearer, as is his statement of his own theology.
By about his last two or three books, I felt pretty comfortable in seeing McLaren has generally falling into the theological tradition of 1960s liberalism, albeit updated with language of the 21st century. And it seemed to me that McLaren was losing his ability to "appear" charitable and generous toward evangelicals. In fact, McLaren could be either harsh in his assessment (or) simply dismissive in his language.
I don't think McLaren is wrong on everything and in fact, I think he has "some" (although, maybe it is now down to "a few") good things to say. But I do think he is increasingly wrong on the most important things.
Most people just don't have the time to read many of his books (and personally, I no longer recommend them).
Here is a critique worth reading. It is from DeYoung, who is strongly in the Reformational tradition and who could be described as an evangelical, although one with the Reformational theology of Calvinism as his primary tradition.
I think DeYoung is pretty accurate in his critique, even if he must make some generalizations due to the nature of this as an article and not a full length book response. If you want to do a "little work" you could probably read this in 30-45 minutes.
I don't think DeYoung is right on everything and in fact, I think he can be a bit myopic in his theology and not as "generously orthodox" as I think it is worth striving for.
But with that said... DeYoung has a critique well worth reading and understanding.
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Brian K. Rice Leadership ConneXtions International www.lci.typepad.com
