A New Kind of Christian, by Brian McLaren

It was during my earlier years in seminary when I remember hearing one of the more seasoned students remark something like this: "If I hear one more professor go off on Postmodernism I think I'm gonne lose it."

I had only recently been introduced to the concept and term of "Postmodernism," but apparently this guy had had too much. I would not recommend he read Brian McLaren's first novel, A New Kind of Christian, because this book is a treatise, packaged in fictional form, on modernity, post-modernity and how the Christian story is wiggling through from one to the other.

In one sense, this book is, like the subtitle says, a tale of two friends on a spiritual journey. However, that is hardly what the book is about. The story line of the protagonist, Dan, and his new found friend Neo, is by itself rather dull. Here's the plot line: Dan, a burnt out pastor considering leaving the church and teaching high school, finds a friend and inspiring mentor in Neo, a wise theologian in disguise, Ph, D., and high school science teacher. Neo and Dan strike up an ongoing theological discussion which takes place over coffee, walks in the woods, at soccer games and via email. This conversation not only begins to transform Dan's Modernist theology but also revitalizes his faith, giving him the fuel he needed to stick with his church.

By itslef, that's not very interesting. But like I said, the story, plot line, or fictional part of this book is just the vehicle for McLaren's thoughts on the current, ongoing shift from the modern age to the age of Postmodernism.

Here's a very basic summary. The age of modernity dawned somewhere around, near or between the 16th and 17th centuries. With the innovation of the printing press and the beginnings of industrialism, modernity was born in the wake of the Medeival Period. It came into full swing sometime during or after the Great Awakening. Capitalism, industrialism, and an intellectual culture concerned mostly with facts, data, theses, lists and hard-and-fast categories are all offspring of this phenomenon. Modernity has influenced the church and it's theology far beyond what we might think, and it is to that topic which McLaren dedicates this ~200 book.

McLaren, through his character Neo, gives these 10 descriptors of Modernity:
1. A time of conquest and control
2. An age of the machine
3. An age of analysis
4. The dawning of secular science 
5. An age aspiring to absolute objectivity
6. A critical age
7. A timeo of modern nation-state and organization
8. An age of individualism
9. An age of Protestantism and institutional religion
10. An age of consumerism


A student of history will easily see that these social and cultural characteristic are markedly different than those most dominant in the medieval period. Also, the astute will notice that these descriptors are easily seen swimming in the undercurrent of the river of modern day Christendom. Evangelical Christians often emphasize one's "personal relationship" with God and Jesus. This is highly individualistic thinking which only came about in the last few hundred years; a result of modernity. Similarly, it's not difficult to see others in this list influencing the church: consumerism (churches now must advertise like a business), critical age and analysis (seminarians are taught historic and textual criticism of the Bible), and control (there's a pervasive mindset that churches must regulate and ration theology to their parishioners).

The main character, Dan, is finding himself with thoughts and questions that are now inadequately addressed by Modern thinking. As a pastor, this is causing him a great deal of turmoil. Dan begins asking himself things like, "What if God's main concern for humans is not simply just getting them into heaven? What if having a theology too fixed on getting our passport stamped for heaven is to miss the point Jesus was making when he said, 'The kingdom of God is now'?" Dan and Neo discuss what might be God's attitude toward people of other religions who are earnestly seeking God. They kick around different theories on how to interpret the Bible (completely literally, metaphorically, somewhere in between?).

It is through these discussion that Dan slowly begins to find new life. He still struggles with how to live and preach as, what they have begun to call, A New Kind of Christian, but he finds a way to live out the struggle day by day.

I have to say that, honestly, the early part of the book had me thinking that I might never want to be a pastor. Reading what Dan was dealing with was quite disheartening. But, by the end of the book, like Dan's, even my inclination toward one day trying on the pastor shoes was renewed. Whew! Like I was riding the roller coaster with Dan.

This is the second McLaren book I've read, and I'm already halfway through another of his (look for review soon). However, this one was written about 10 years prior to the first one, and the theology presented in this one compared to his latest (read the review here) is proof that theologians, authors and pastors are all in process. Their writings are results of where they are in their own individual journeys. Of course, McLaren is a gifted and smooth writer. He has a way with illustrative anecdotes that makes his points crystal clear.

I give the book a strong thumbs up. It would be a solid introduction to McLaren as an author, and a way for those who can't stand reading theology to get a little exposure in novel form.

This is the third book I've read on my Nook, and I've learned that I'm going to have to quit reading books on my Nook that I want to write in, underline and make notes. Oh well.