McClaren's basic point is that a lot of religion, and Christianity in particular, has fallen into either a strong and hostile identity, where it's us versus them in the game of life, or into a weak and benevolent identity, where we hold some beliefs that are important to us, but the most important thing about them, really, is not imposing them on others.
An interesting point McClaren makes about weak-benevolent identity is that it makes room for empire and its violent, death/revenge ideology just as surely as the co-opted hostility of the strong-hostile identity. It doesn't offer a truly viable alternative, just an unobtrusive side dressing. I'm thinking of a review of a biography of the Inklings I read recently, where in the Screwtape Letters CS Lewis talks about the hazards of war - how being a soldier can cause someone to sin - and his main concern was that a young man would swear more than usual or spend extra time with the ladies, missing the whole part of the endeavor that involves killing other people.
So the solution to the problems our world faces, and the answering of God's call for a new way of life in a multi-faith world can't be lowest-common-denominator Christianity, but fire & brimstone from a tightly drawn circle is out too. Strong-benevolent is McClaren's alternative goal, what I would call (in family systems language) self-differentiation on the scale of the entire religion.
Let's get clear, he says, about our beliefs and practices - commitment to radical hospitality, for example, and God's generous goodness, Jesus' vision for a new world built within and through this one, and the suffering of the cross as a result of our sin more so than a remedy for it. Let's move into liturgy and sacraments that reflect Jesus' teaching and ministry, and let's move into a way of doing "missionary work" that makes the world a better place without trying to convert and colonize "the other" to be like "us" but instead is a hospitable and respectful exchange of gifts that enables each side to deepen and grow in their own religious identity. Sometimes people won't be able to stay in the tradition where they are, and will move somewhere new, and there needs to be freedom for this. But that's probably going to be the exception, rather than the rule. And our goal is to get those dusty religions to shape up and come alive, come back to the deep roots that can feed them.
McClaren closes with Ghandi's suggestions for Christians and Christian missionaries in India interested in bringing a non-colonizing and naturalized version of Christianity to the country.
1. Live more like Jesus Christ (this could be the only advice....)
2. Practice your religion without toning it down - don't weaken it to make it palatable.
3. Emphasize love, which is the soul and center of Christianity. (Love as a working force, not just a nice feeling)
4. Study non-Christian religions sympathetically so you can approach the people who practice them sympathetically.
Onward and upward! What I most appreciated about this book is the way McClaren makes me feel like I can let go of some things - having to convince people that my way is the right way, for example. At the same time, it is a challenge to live the kind of Christian life he envisions. In my neighborhood, we've been having new people move in who are demographically different from the current residents, and there is a lot of tension around that. I keep thinking, "Someone should start reaching out to those new people and meeting them, and bridging the difference between the old and the new." Well, guess what - maybe that someone needs to be me, and beyond me the Christian neighbors. Because, you know, that's what Jesus would do.
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