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Archive: Brian D. McLaren
A Model of Respectful Discourse
The President's speech at Notre Dame was an example of the kind of respectful discourse we need when grappling with issues over which we disagree.
By Brian D. McLaren | May 18, 2009; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (2)
A "Christian" Nation Wouldn't Act This Way
When people tell me that we are or have been a Christian nation, I want to ask, "When?"
By Brian D. McLaren | April 16, 2009; 08:30 AM ET | Comments (10)
God Calls Us to Mutual Care, Respect
I'm sickened when I hear that a person's religion makes him unwilling to let other human beings live in dignity and peace. I'm disgusted when people make it sound like God plays favorites - loving their own kind and hating others.
By Brian D. McLaren | January 6, 2009; 02:32 AM ET | Comments (1)
Warren A Good Choice; Here's a Better One
I would have chosen someone unknown to the media in order to draw attention to the thousands of humble, good-hearted women and men who are serving quietly for the common good, with no public fanfare.
By Brian D. McLaren | December 27, 2008; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (5)
Compassion a Value All Faiths Share
We shouldn't minimize the differences between religions. But when it comes to ethics, there's a lot of truth to Karen Armstrong's premise about compassion. The golden rule or something like it is inherent to the ethical vision of all major faiths.
By Brian D. McLaren | November 12, 2008; 05:19 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Maturing of America
During this election, I felt that our nation was poised between the chance to grow up a little and the chance to prolong its adolescence a little longer. By choosing Barack Obama, I believe, we've chosen to mature into a more responsible and humble young adulthood as a nation.
By Brian D. McLaren | November 7, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Comments (1)
We Need a Voice, Vision for Healing
Election rhetoric has doubtless increased division in our already divided nation, and so I'm looking for a leader who has the best chance to heal our wounds, to help us get beyond a culture wars mentality, and to pull together to face our challenges and seek the common good. The Obama-Biden ticket seems far better poised for this important task than the McCain-Palin ticket, but it will be hard for anyone.
By Brian D. McLaren | October 31, 2008; 01:29 PM ET | Comments (2)
Convenient "Truths"
Conservative religious leaders believe the New Testament texts regarding women only apply to the church and not the secular world. I find that line of interpretation very convenient for conservative churches, and impossible to justify theologically
By Brian D. McLaren | September 5, 2008; 05:19 PM ET | Comments (54)
Finally, A Thoughtful Conversation with Candidates
Too many journalists habitually turn communication towards a fight narrative, which makes for what some people call "good television." Warren, on the other hand, wanted to create a context for understanding.
By Brian D. McLaren | August 21, 2008; 12:19 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Search for Christian Hospitality
I think that Tim would have interpreted her choice with a "hermeneutic of grace," seeing in her action -- which strictly speaking, did violate Catholic protocols -- as a step of faith, and not as an act of disrespect for his religion.
By Brian D. McLaren | July 10, 2008; 05:04 AM ET | Comments (12)
Which God Don't You Believe In?
When people call themselves atheists, they often mean not that they don't believe in any god at all as the term would indicate, but they don't believe in a particular version or description of God.
By Brian D. McLaren | July 1, 2008; 10:56 AM ET | Comments (16)
Time to Renounce the Renouncing
We should collectively denounce and renounce denouncing and renouncing.
By Brian D. McLaren | April 1, 2008; 01:56 AM ET | Comments (9)
Making Room for New Neighbors
While some might be saying the the Archbishop of Canterbury is guilty of dangerous compromise, I would suggest we are witnessing a sincere attempt to express a truly Christian love of neighbor.
By Brian D. McLaren | February 13, 2008; 08:25 AM ET | Comments (42)
The Moral Cost of Torture
Torturing secretly and then seeking to defend torture as a valid moral option only hardens us in a monstrous identity.
By Brian D. McLaren | November 7, 2007; 05:18 AM ET | Comments (21)
Both Sides Need Help with Facts, Truth
The alliance Wilson calls for is necessary and possible, but its progress will be halting and shallow until both sides experience a deep shift in their thinking.
By Brian D. McLaren | October 24, 2007; 08:15 AM ET | Comments (82)
Faithful Often Fail, Never Give Up
Many of us - inspired by our faith - are devoting our lives to working for justice, compassion, equality, mutual care and respect, and the pursuit of peace and wisdom.
By Brian D. McLaren | September 30, 2007; 05:04 AM ET | Comments (25)
No Pain, No Gain
Sometimes doubt is absolutely essential. I think of doubt as analogous to pain.
By Brian D. McLaren | August 30, 2007; 07:02 AM ET | Comments (30)
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7 puts into words what Jesus lived in deed, and it keeps surprising me with new levels of meaning - and challenge.
By Brian D. McLaren | August 15, 2007; 09:12 AM ET | Comments (1486)
Dare to Wonder
For too many people, faith is a kind of "auto-pilot" flight plan.
By Brian D. McLaren | June 15, 2007; 10:35 AM ET | Comments (76)
The Seach for Higher Common Ground
It shows there are more than three alternatives: religious right, religious left, and secular left.
By Brian D. McLaren | June 7, 2007; 08:08 AM ET | Comments (26)
Love Among the Ruins
In times of war, my faith teaches me to look for signs of love gathering around the evil and violence.
By Brian D. McLaren | May 30, 2007; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (523)
on atheism
Atheism, I believe, becomes more popular when religious communities become more corrupt – and especially when their corruption includes violence. This occurred in the decades after the Thirty Years War in European history, and I think we're entering a similar...
By Brian D. McLaren | December 27, 2006; 02:21 PM ET | Comments (18)
Questioning the Question
As with so many questions, we need to respond to “Is America a Christian nation?” with another question: “What do you mean by a Christian nation?” If we mean, “Are the majority of the people in America affiliated with the...
By Brian D. McLaren | December 13, 2006; 06:58 PM ET | Comments (15)
God's Greatness Defeats All Efforts to Monopolize Truth
If we believe that God is so great that our best thought of God is like a child's crayon picture of the sky ...then we'll know that however true, beautiful, and good our knowledge of God may be, it is nothing close to a monopoly
By Brian D. McLaren | November 14, 2006; 06:30 PM ET | Comments (49)
