This week Brian Mclaren spoke to a group of local pastors and development workers at the World Vision headquarters here in El Salvador. Traveling with Rene Padilla he is currently on a 7 country Latin American tour discussing his perspectives on the church and the theology of the “Kingdom of God.” I attended partly to hear Rene (whose daughter Ruth is renting her home to us) whom I greatly respect and to hear Brian up close and personal. I’ve heard the debates that rage between those “in” the emergent church movement and those who distance themselves from them. I was intrigued to understand what Brian would have to say to those of us focused on working on behalf of the poor in El Salvador.

Brian spoke through a translator, and I found him to be very humble and approachable. I have heard words like “proud” and “full of himself” from his critics, and I was ready to be offended. Yet, as he spoke I was disarmed by his apparent love for people, especially the poor, and a sense that he really does carry a deep conviction for the gospel. In his presentation, he offered critiques of the U.S. church, and laid out his theological arguments for why it’s in such bad shape. They were comprised from a patchwork of theorists and contextualized by remnants of “Liberation Theology.” He asked us to define the gospel, and gave his answer referring to Jesus’ description of it in scripture when He said that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Brian asked why in today’s churches we don’t pray more for the Kingdom of God to reign on earth if this is what Jesus asked us to pray. He continued with some scathing critiques of the Church’s abuses of theology, people, and power throughout history. He asked why today’s church seemingly cares little for the poor, supports the rich and powerful, abuses the environment, and gives large cheers when thousands die in the middle east. He asked why are we not striving to be disciples who follow in Christ’s footsteps and bring healing to the world that Jesus loves (John 3:16). Most of his critiques held water. I was listening.

Yet, by the end of the session I felt uncomfortable. Not exactly sure, I thought about what seemed off. Questions began from the audience, and it hit me, “How does Brian define salvation?” So I raised my hand and asked. He responded that mine was the core question, and he gave an elaborate explanation to the current Church’s errant focus on individual salvation that is detached from Christ’s heart to save the whole world. He drew a chart and said that instead of first looking at the individual we need to start with Jesus’ desire to save the world. Then he ended by saying that salvation is God’s desire to save the whole world and we are invited to join Him.

I approached him during the break, and he was extremely polite and kind. I asked him about the controversy that surrounds him, to which he acknowledged by saying, “Many think of me as a devil.” I shared that I felt that it was his description of salvation that seems to cause so much division. He didn’t’ seem to disagree, but we had not the time to launch into a long theological discussion. He asked me about our work, and was encouraged to hear about what God is doing in rural churches here in El Salvador. We shook hands and he encouraged me by saying, “Keep up the good work.” I walked away feeling as if Brian was one of the good guys in ministry.

I’ve reflected over the last couple days on my encounter with Brian. In many ways I’m saddened by the fact that the description He gave for salvation seemed to fall short. I feel strongly that without a clear articulation of redemption through the work of the Cross of Christ, there is no salvation, no chance for the Kingdom of God to be lived out on earth. Yet, I can’t stop thinking about the questions that Brian raised in his session. I feel that they are questions that can lead us to repentance as a Church and motivate us to live out the Kingdom of God here on earth, and that to do so does not have to come at the cost of diluting the unbelievable work of Jesus at Calvary. Here are a summary of Brian’s most provocative questions in my best words. Up for discussion…..

Have we adopted a gospel of escapism that encourages “Christians” to care less about the world because they are focused on getting on to heaven in the clouds?
If the gospel being preached leads people to care less about the poor, injustice, war, racism, consumerism, the environment, is it heresy? Would Jesus want us to ever care less because we “accepted” Him so we could go to heaven?
Does the church as a whole defend its actions against the Bible or is it being transformed by it? Are we learning to be good Christians without letting the commands of Scripture get too close, because if they did our lives would be ruined?
Does Jesus really love the whole world, as stated in John 3:16? If he does, do we?
Are we being formed into the likeness of Christ as Christians today, or are we performing what Dallas Willard (in The Divine Conspiracy) calls “sin management”?
Before criticizing the move to contextualize the gospel to a post modern world, are we aware of how the gospel has been corrupted by the capitalistic values of the modern world?
Are we making disciples as commanded in Matthew 28, or are we trying to build kingdoms of our own in today’s churches?

Pete