What an awful time to be pulled into politics as something “ultimate.” But seriously, I felt myself being drawn in that way through my deconstruction and it caused a lot of anxiety. Honestly, psychology of all things helped me to keep God as the ultimate point of reference for my life, specifically, the IFS view that we all have a Self that is calm, compassionate, present etc—all attributes that reflect God. If there is a reflection of God in us that we can really experience, then there must be a a God that we can truly experience. Thus, I find myself drawn to contemplative and mystical expressions of Christianity. This allows me to stay grounded and able to look beyond the current political or environmental context to see the God beyond it.
Your title really intrigued me. Smart move. Brian McLaren to me is the opposite of the caricature you propose. A man of faith whose God is revealed (big word I know) in the cycles of the worlds he inhabits. I think I got a similar response from Carey Neuhof when I asked him to review my forthcoming book MEDITATIONS on MONEY. That hint being made, I'd love to talk to you about activism and faith and their marriage. When I was pastor at Judson Memorial Church in NYC, I helped us change our benediction from THE REAL SERVICE STARTS NOW, which I thought made the mistake you accuse McClaren of making. We changed it to ONE SERVICE IS OVER, ANOTHER BEGINS.
What an awful time to be pulled into politics as something “ultimate.” But seriously, I felt myself being drawn in that way through my deconstruction and it caused a lot of anxiety. Honestly, psychology of all things helped me to keep God as the ultimate point of reference for my life, specifically, the IFS view that we all have a Self that is calm, compassionate, present etc—all attributes that reflect God. If there is a reflection of God in us that we can really experience, then there must be a a God that we can truly experience. Thus, I find myself drawn to contemplative and mystical expressions of Christianity. This allows me to stay grounded and able to look beyond the current political or environmental context to see the God beyond it.
Check out my UCC Devotional on what to read. August 7th.
Your title really intrigued me. Smart move. Brian McLaren to me is the opposite of the caricature you propose. A man of faith whose God is revealed (big word I know) in the cycles of the worlds he inhabits. I think I got a similar response from Carey Neuhof when I asked him to review my forthcoming book MEDITATIONS on MONEY. That hint being made, I'd love to talk to you about activism and faith and their marriage. When I was pastor at Judson Memorial Church in NYC, I helped us change our benediction from THE REAL SERVICE STARTS NOW, which I thought made the mistake you accuse McClaren of making. We changed it to ONE SERVICE IS OVER, ANOTHER BEGINS.