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pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
“Christianity, we might say, is driving around with a loaded gun in its glove compartment, and that loaded gun is its violent image of God. It’s driving around with a license to kill, and that license is its Bible, read uncritically. Along with its loaded gun and license to kill, it’s driving around with a sense of entitlement derived from a set of beliefs with a long, ugly, and largely unacknowledged history.”
“Confession: Imagine if love, not law, was the standard by which we learned to examine ourselves and confess our sins against God, neighbor, and the earth we share. Imagine if each week we were guided into the kind of self-examination that helped us name and turn from our unloving acts in recent days. And imagine if, along with confessing our sins, we confessed or named our hurts, the places where others have wounded us, so that we could process our pain and then respond in a way that doesn’t give in to resentment or revenge.”
Although I only have two other books listed here on Goodreads, I have been reading McLaren for many years. I refer to him as a Christian gadfly. McLaren seems to be always pushing Christians to be better to actually read the Bible and follow Jesus. He is often critical and that is why I use the term gadfly. I hope that he would take that as a compliment.
My husband and I went to hear McLaren speak at January Adventure (http://www.januaryadventure.org/). This was my first time at that event and I think McLaren and his co-speaker, Dr. Wil Gafney, were a good introduction to this program. It is a series of lectures – all of which were interesting and thought provoking. I wish we had gone with others so we could have had more of a discussion.
This book elicits some consideration of where we Christians are and where we should be. For too long, in McLaren’s mind, Christianity has used law rather than love to encourage people to join the faith. If that ever worked well, it certainly isn’t working now. The world does not need violence, it needs grace, compassion, mercy and love.
I appreciate McLaren’s words and will try to take them to heart.
“Confession: Imagine if love, not law, was the standard by which we learned to examine ourselves and confess our sins against God, neighbor, and the earth we share. Imagine if each week we were guided into the kind of self-examination that helped us name and turn from our unloving acts in recent days. And imagine if, along with confessing our sins, we confessed or named our hurts, the places where others have wounded us, so that we could process our pain and then respond in a way that doesn’t give in to resentment or revenge.”
Although I only have two other books listed here on Goodreads, I have been reading McLaren for many years. I refer to him as a Christian gadfly. McLaren seems to be always pushing Christians to be better to actually read the Bible and follow Jesus. He is often critical and that is why I use the term gadfly. I hope that he would take that as a compliment.
My husband and I went to hear McLaren speak at January Adventure (http://www.januaryadventure.org/). This was my first time at that event and I think McLaren and his co-speaker, Dr. Wil Gafney, were a good introduction to this program. It is a series of lectures – all of which were interesting and thought provoking. I wish we had gone with others so we could have had more of a discussion.
This book elicits some consideration of where we Christians are and where we should be. For too long, in McLaren’s mind, Christianity has used law rather than love to encourage people to join the faith. If that ever worked well, it certainly isn’t working now. The world does not need violence, it needs grace, compassion, mercy and love.
I appreciate McLaren’s words and will try to take them to heart.
dbg108's review against another edition
4.0
McLaren offers characteristically compelling stories alongside fresh models for interpreting faith. I especially enjoyed the reflections on the impact of "movements" on "institutions."
gbdill's review against another edition
2.0
Brian McLaren is by far one of my favorite authors, and has been instrumental in opening my eyes to other traditions, views, and has provided new insight into the Christian faith and spirituality. "A Generous Orthodoxy", and "A New Kind of Christian" were both pivotal and transformative for me, prodding me onto a new path and a new journey in my faith. So, I was eager to read another one his books, "The Great Spiritual Migration".
I read about 1/4 of the book and quickly came to the conclusion that it contains the same message McLaren has been espousing for at least a decade. Namely, that the current form or brand of Christianity (mostly the conservative kind, but not exclusively) is bad and actually counter to the teachings of Christ. That there is a new and better way. And, that he (and we) should set out upon a new journey that looks a bit more like Jesus. And, here is what I believe it looks like.
While I certainly applaud McLaren for this message and one that I fully agree with it, it is the same message but packaged just a little bit differently than what is found in most of his books. In other words, I wasn't able to really glean anything new from what I was reading. Perhaps this is a result of my own journey and how my faith has evolved. Maybe I've moved on past McLaren, that his message has already resonated and settled well with within me, and now my journey has moved beyond it.
Nevertheless, McLaren's message is a good one, and it is again found in, "The Great Spiritual Migration". If you haven't read any of McLaren's other books, then this one will settle well with you, if not, it will really challenge your faith and make you think on some things. If, however, you are not new to McLaren's writings, then you will likely not be moved much from what is presented in this book.
I read about 1/4 of the book and quickly came to the conclusion that it contains the same message McLaren has been espousing for at least a decade. Namely, that the current form or brand of Christianity (mostly the conservative kind, but not exclusively) is bad and actually counter to the teachings of Christ. That there is a new and better way. And, that he (and we) should set out upon a new journey that looks a bit more like Jesus. And, here is what I believe it looks like.
While I certainly applaud McLaren for this message and one that I fully agree with it, it is the same message but packaged just a little bit differently than what is found in most of his books. In other words, I wasn't able to really glean anything new from what I was reading. Perhaps this is a result of my own journey and how my faith has evolved. Maybe I've moved on past McLaren, that his message has already resonated and settled well with within me, and now my journey has moved beyond it.
Nevertheless, McLaren's message is a good one, and it is again found in, "The Great Spiritual Migration". If you haven't read any of McLaren's other books, then this one will settle well with you, if not, it will really challenge your faith and make you think on some things. If, however, you are not new to McLaren's writings, then you will likely not be moved much from what is presented in this book.
hdkroon's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit something right up front- I am a big fan of Brian McLaren's work. I don't always agree with all of his conclusions, but I really enjoy reading his books. When I started The Great Spiritual Migration, I already came into the book with a bit of foreknowledge-
1. The church is changing. Some are calling this the next reformation.
2. The biggest religious group growing right now are the nones.
3. Due to all of these changes and shifts, there is an edge to some in the church about what to do. Mainlines are shrinking and have been for centuries and evangelical churches experienced a small growth, but are experiencing the same thing now.
I, of course, had other bits of knowledge ahead of time, but these were the pertinent ones :-)
This book not only helped summarize and put into perspective some of these things I already knew, but looked for transformation in the midst of it all. McLaren's premise is that through these changes, Christianity can allow a new vision of faith to shine forth. It is a more hopeful outlook rather than a woe is me outlook that some other Christian books have produced. I could hand this book to a council or another Christian seeking answers and it would help. I really enjoyed this one and gave it 4 stars.
I wish to thank Blogging for Books for a copy of this book. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
1. The church is changing. Some are calling this the next reformation.
2. The biggest religious group growing right now are the nones.
3. Due to all of these changes and shifts, there is an edge to some in the church about what to do. Mainlines are shrinking and have been for centuries and evangelical churches experienced a small growth, but are experiencing the same thing now.
I, of course, had other bits of knowledge ahead of time, but these were the pertinent ones :-)
This book not only helped summarize and put into perspective some of these things I already knew, but looked for transformation in the midst of it all. McLaren's premise is that through these changes, Christianity can allow a new vision of faith to shine forth. It is a more hopeful outlook rather than a woe is me outlook that some other Christian books have produced. I could hand this book to a council or another Christian seeking answers and it would help. I really enjoyed this one and gave it 4 stars.
I wish to thank Blogging for Books for a copy of this book. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Originally getting this book at a book swap, I didn't exactly knew what to expect. The cover and description really drew me in and I figured it was worth a read. In The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian, McLaren talks about what the future of Christianity could look like as well as offering solutions to address the current problems facing the church.
That being said, I think anyone who is a Christian or anyone who wants to learn about the state of Christianity today should read this book. This book will definitely make you think, and McLaren provides discussion questions at the end of every chapter to reflect on what was being discussed. Nevertheless, I think that this book will give readers a better sense of what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century.
That being said, I think anyone who is a Christian or anyone who wants to learn about the state of Christianity today should read this book. This book will definitely make you think, and McLaren provides discussion questions at the end of every chapter to reflect on what was being discussed. Nevertheless, I think that this book will give readers a better sense of what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century.
rwaringcrane's review against another edition
4.0
Much of what McLaren describes and names so well in the first half of the book hit that spot in me that recognizes truth. Ah-ha, I'm not the only one to think/feel/experience such and such. I found the views so compelling, I bought a copy of my own (because I'd started with a library book). Who doesn't appreciate knowing they are not alone?
And then the focus of the writing shifts to how-to. My momentum slacked, and I felt like I was in the weeds. This is most likely a reflection on my need/interest rather than on the topic or the writing.
I'm going to trust that timing matters and that when I'm ready, I'll find McLaren waiting to walk me through what comes next in living a life that is in tune with what I believe.
And then the focus of the writing shifts to how-to. My momentum slacked, and I felt like I was in the weeds. This is most likely a reflection on my need/interest rather than on the topic or the writing.
I'm going to trust that timing matters and that when I'm ready, I'll find McLaren waiting to walk me through what comes next in living a life that is in tune with what I believe.
hannahfox's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading this book and couldn’t help myself from highlighting all the amazing points made by the author. McLaren writes about how we should be making more strides to advance our faith in love and focus on adding to some of the pillars that currently exist in the Christian community. It makes you think deeper about the difference between faith and beliefs within the Christian community, also how we all need one another as members of the same body to progress on this spiritual migration.
One of my favorite quotes from the author was a reminder that love was not only the heart of who Jesus was but the heartbeat of His daily life. As Christians, we should be showing others love and grace each day, just like God gives to us.
One of my favorite quotes from the author was a reminder that love was not only the heart of who Jesus was but the heartbeat of His daily life. As Christians, we should be showing others love and grace each day, just like God gives to us.