When I requested this book I expected bad theology and a bad way of spending my time, yet I was hopeful that I was wrong. Well, I should have gone with my gut. Brian has a very enjoyable writing style splashed with numerous pithy comments and the book is broken up into short chapters, making it an easy read. That's about as good as it gets.
The title of the book gives the reader hope that it contains the answer to the question "which way should I go". Only those who realize they have lost their way or are going the wrong way would be interested in this book and those people would be better off leaving this book in the store. It does not contain the answer to your questions.
If you're looking for "the way", you will not find it in this book. In this book you will find a bunch of spiritual activities that are A way to "spirituality" but not THE way to God, His kingdom andeverlasting life. Brian tries to convince his readers that the ancient practices are the pathway to God. He even makes references to following Christ on the way to God. Brian never once in this entire book points to Jesus Christ as THE WAY. Rather, Jesus is just on the way and we should follow him. In fact, there a times in the book when Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are lumped together as being on the same path to finding peace, love and joy.
Don't be deceived. Peace, love and joy are the results of being united with the man Jesus Christ. You can be united with Him by believing that he has left his heavenly throne, come to earth, lives a sinless life, died a death he did not deserve, and was raised from the dead. With Him he brought the kingdom of heaven down to earth through the forgiveness of sin by the shedding of his blood. He also brought death to our chaotic, unloving, and miserable old selves by crucifying them with himself on the cross. Now God's kingdom has partially come into the world through this new race of people who dwell in love, joy, peace, selflessness, service, and harmony as long as we walk in the spirit by faith in our indwelling Lord. This union with Jesus Christ is the way because He is the way. It is yours if you would become His disciple, follow Him, become like Him because your life and all of creation around you is all about Him.
It's all about Jesus, Brian's book is not. As much as Brian talks about the sermon on the mount, I am surprised to see he avoids these words of our Lord from that very sermon on this subject:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)
Excellent points made here. I was considering getting Mcclarens book from Booksneeze (this is how i found your blog) just to read some opposing viewpoints to challenge myself. I don't know if I will because I would rather wait until a good book like Radical by David Platt comes along to really challenge my thinking.
ReplyDeleteThank you for following Christ and discerning the truth form the not so truth and being willing to step on a toe or two. The gospel is offensive to those without it, and I'm glad I came across your blog and seeing that you are someone who follows Christ without wavering is encouraging.
Take care.