I’m reading a book right now called A Generous Orthodoxy by Bryan McLaren. It is probably one of the coolest ideas for a book I know, and he is one of my favourite authors. The headline for the book is this:
WHY I AM A missional + evangelical + post/protestant + liberal/conservative + mystical/poetic + biblical + charismatic/contemplative + fundamentalist/calvinist + anabaptist/anglican + methodist + catholic + green + incarnational + depressed-yet-hopeful + emergent + unfinished CHRISTIAN
He goes through so many different streams of faith and denominations and talks about how they bring something fresh, new and relevant to Christianity. He also touches on certain things in the different ideals that we should probably stay away from and that don’t do much for a unified faith. When I used to hear denominational superiority or bashing from the pulpit I would always cringe, and now this brings to light so much more how the denomination I grew up with, or any denomination has the FULL truth.
People will say that we need a denomination to hold us accountable, but I would tend to disagree. I don’t see the early Christians having to subscribe to the PAOC doctrine to become members of the church. Probably the only prerequisites to becoming part of that community of faith was to sell your possessions, give to the poor and love each other; something that we don’t even think about doing now.
Why is it that we all feel a need to have the superior faith? Is my Dutch friend Nick who goes to Redeemer and hold tightly on to the Reform traditions have any fuller grasp or is any closer to God than my Pentecostal friend Gianpaolo who speaks in tongues? For some reason I would say no. There are things that Nick understands and comprehends and lives that Gianpaolo wouldn’t dream of and vice versa but to me they are both serving the same God. I doubt God looks down on them and say “well this one is closer to understanding the truth and understanding me for who I truly am, good job!” I think it’s more like “they both are so far in their understanding, but I love them both and I accept them both.”
I want to be someone who learns from all walks of faith and someone who can experience God through anything, from the flowers in the field to the theological discussions with Nick to the worship experiences with Gianpaolo.
To quote McLaren:
“What if, instead, we saw these varios emphases as partial projections that together can create a hologram: a richer, multidimensional vision of Jesus? What is we enjoy them all, the way we enjoy foods from differing cultures? Aren’t we glad we can enjoy Thai food this week, Chinese next, Italian the following wee, Mexican next month, and Khmer after that? What do we gain by saying that Chinese food is permissible, but Mexican food is poison? Isn’t there nourishment and joy (and pleasure) to be had from each tradition?
No I am not recommending we throw each offering in a blender, press the ‘liquefy’ button, and try to create a gray porridge of all cuisines. That doesn’t sound appetizing at all. Neither would it be helpful. Rather I’m recommending that we acknowledge that Christians of each tradition bring their distinctive and wonderful gifts to the table, so we can all enjoy the feast of generous orthodoxy-and spread that same feast for the whole world”
McLaren has created a masterpiece of a book. Read it for yourself and see what your missing in everything else and see what maybe your blinded by in your own story. Allow God to take you out of your denominational games and deceptiveness and into a liberating relationship where everyone becomes a teacher and a participator and not just those that subscribe to a bunch of words on paper.