March 5, 2018  Chapter 27 A New Identity

(Note to readers: If you have been following along on this blog I need to make a slight change. The next two weeks i will be covering two chapters. This will allow us to read chapter 32, 32 A, B & C during Holy Week as McLaren intends.)

We have moved into part three of McLaren's work and in this first chapter he challenges us to be people who are different. He invites us to be "brave and determined activists for preemptive peace..." (page 128) and "creative non-conformist" (page 129). He then goes on to point out that like the people who heard this sermon the first time, we are left to think about it, marinate in it, reflect upon it and grapple with it.

And I'm glad he gives us that permission because that is where I find myself all the time. I wrestle with the question is my life radical enough for Jesus? Not radical as in violent protests or civil disobedience, but radical in the sense that my life really shouldn't make sense to someone who doesn't get it--someone who doesn't follow Jesus completely. Have I given into the mainstream of religion--(something Jesus never did) or is my life simply that along the lines of all the others who have "dabbled" in a life with Christ.

What does  it mean to be a "brave and determined activist?" What is the call to be a "creative non-conformist." And to use Jesus' words, am I light? am I salt? Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness? Am I poor in spirit? Am i persecuted for the sake of righteousness?

As I said, I am glad McLaren gives us permission to grapple with question of "who we are and what kind of person we want to be in the future." (Page 130) Because with or without his permission that is exactly where I find myself most of the time.

(Remember, next week we will do chapters 28 & 29.)