A NEW KIND OF HUMANITY

Like most of Brian McLaren’s contributions to Christian literature, his latest offering, Do I Stay Christian? (St Martin’s, 2022) is not so much a printed book as a frank but friendly conversation in which he looks people in the eye and shares what he feels they could and should know about Christianity in our day and age.

As a public speaker, McLaren’s own eyes never seem to lose their sparkle or their mischief. His experiences in pulpits and lecture halls have helped him identify the doubting, disappointed, and disillusioned guests he would like to have in his living room to share his thoughts on Christianity’s “complex mixture of things,” including a diamond’s many facets, and the varied ingredients that comprise a really good meal.

He is smart enough to open with a story against himself in which he recalls how, at college, he went through several periods of deep doubt about the existence of God.

He told one of his closest friends, “I think I’m on my way out of Christian faith.”

His friend looked at him across the room, and with great kindness on his face, said, “Whether you stay Christian or not, I am your friend no matter what.”

Now, addressing readers in the introduction to his book, McLaren writes, “If I were in the same room, that’s what I’d say to you.”

The lively, spontaneous exchange of ideas flows through 262 pages, with helpful appendices and an always honest exploration of reasons  to leave or stay within the church—and if so, how.

McLaren leads the conversation without dominating it,

and never stops posing questions, teasing his readers right through to the end of Part Three where he insists that whatever they choose to do, they should Stay Human and find their own answers.

He never hesitates to tackle previously unaskable  questions, previously forbidden confessions, and to imagine previously impossible possibilities.

In the absence of ease and certainty, he adds, amazing things can happen, including faith, hope, and unspeakable joy. 

Wherever we are in our individual spiritual journey, McLaren urges us to become the most just, kind, and humble version of ourselves that we possibly can, day by day… to practice a faith that expresses itself in love … to lean with others into a new kind of humanity, and to be open to every good resource that can help us, explicitly Christian or not.

Can you imagine that, fellow human? McLaren asks with one last teasing smile in his eyes.