In chp 10 McLaren compares the “conventional” and the “emerging” view. Four questions:If you read the comments left on Scot's blog, you will see that many people argue BM's characterization of the conventional view. I understand it has not been everyone's experience, but I have to say, for me personally, it is pretty much right on. I feel very much like John Frye who said:1. What is the story we find ourselves in?
Conventional: creation as perfect, fall, determination by God to destroy creation and humans unless they are exempted.
Emerging: creation as good, humans rebel and fill earth — individually and as groups — with evil and injustice, God wants to save humanity but humans are “like sheep without a shepherd” and left to themselves they will “spiral downward in sickness and evil” (80).2. What questions did Jesus come to answer?
Conventional: How can individuals be saved from eternal punishment?” and “How can God help individuals to be happy until then?”
Emerging: What must be done about the mess we’re in? “Mess” means general human condition and Roman conditions from which Israel wants liberation.3. How did Jesus respond to the crisis?
Conventional: If you want to be among those who escape eternal punishment, you must repent from your individual sins and believe that my Father punished me on the cross so he won’t have to punish you in hell. This is the good news. (Basic quotation from p. 81)
Emerging: I have been sent with good news — God loves humanity, “even in its lostness and sin.” God invites us to turn and follow a new way. “Trust me and become my disciple, and you will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right now” (81).4. Why is Jesus important?
Conventional: Jesus solves problem of original sin (so they won’t go to hell). “In a sense, Jesus saves these people from God … from the righteous wrath of God which sinful humans deserve…” (81). It’s a gift; personal relationship with God; happier life on earth and more rewards in heaven.
Emerging: Jesus came “to save the earth and all it contains from its ongoing destruction because of human evil. Through his life and teaching, through his suffering, death, and resurrection, he inserted into human history a seed of grace, truth, and hope that can never be defeated. This seed will, against all opposition and odds, prevail over the evil and injustice of humanity and lead to the world’s ongoing transformation into the world God dreams of” (81-2). This is all a “free gift they receive as an expression of God’s grace and love.”The conventional view leads to these problems:
1. It is mostly a legal solution to a capital infraction against God.
2. Little hope for history (or the future).
3. It is dualistic: spirit vs. body.
4. God offers his blessings only to the elect “and little or nothing (except condemnation) to everyone else” (84).
5. God must destroy the world.
6. The world will get worse and worse until the end.
The “gospel” I inherited was “If you stood before God tonight and he asked you ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ what would you say?” Another version of the “gospel” wanted to assure me that I would immediately go to heaven if I died unexpectedly in a car crash, etc.” Let’s admit this: the conventional gospel is horribly reduced. It had nothing to do with being in community, following Jesus, or caring for the world. It was how to be sure you’re getting into heaven. It was all about, “Are you sure Jesus is in your heart?”
I think this is probably why BM's writings have all resonated so deeply with me - and what has drawn me to the emerging view. It's not so much that the evangelical gospel I grew up with was wrong, but it was seriously incomplete. So... I guess I have another book to buy. It will likely go to the top of the pile.
Peace out; peace in.
6 comments:
conventional: bake for 40 minutes at 325 degrees, peel back plastic over dessert.
microwave: remove plastic, cook on high for 2 minutes, stir potatoes, cook for 2 more minutes. Let stand before eating.
Actually, this was a very interesting/informative post. I can say I've learned something today.
I remember when I was in high school sitting in our patsor's office and talking to him about being "saved". I told him to me it seemed like everyone was interested in having "fire insurance" - you know, what can I do to make sure I'm not going to hell (even moreso than how a person gets to heaven). The funny thing is, I can remember asking him if that was all it was - you know is that it? What is funny is that I have no idea what he said. So many people worry about a not having a "works-based salvation" but to me, the way most of us are taught is that what you don't do is what is the most important. Anyway, my 2 cents worth.
I read a criticism of Brian in the last few days, about how he "churns" out books, but this guy has something to say. My experiences mirror yours and Jane's, and really, when you think about it, it just doesn't make sense that God would take such care in creating the interconnected, interdependent world with beauty and grace and relationships that were so carefully crafted and then only cares about a scorecard at the time of our death. I think this is definitely a top of the heap book.
hey, when I said this was a good post I didn't mean to imply you could take a couple days off to rest up. What am I supposed to read in the morning? I don't get the newspaper.
...and as I read that back... not only do I not RECEIVE the newspaper, but I don't GET it when I do.
Thanks for the comments everybody. And regarding newspapers... we just subscribe so we can recycle them. I mean... READ it?! Heck no. :)
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