I just finished reading "Everything Must Change" by Brian McLaren. I've enjoyed all of Brian's books as he is a contemplative thinker and not swayed by what is popular, but by what he believes. So many vilify Brian as the founder of the emergent Church movement (whatever that is) and for his unwillingness to engage in arguments about doctrine. Most of the detractors I've come across have only read the party line notes on the books, and have not really engaged him or his work. Cathy and I sat with him once at a publisher's dinner and we both we're affected at how peaceful he was and how gentle his ideas flowed across the table.
Over the past 4 years, I have come to the realization also that everything must change. If you've read much of this blog and others I write, you know that I believe a contented life, one devoid of the need for more, is the one philosophy that I have been seeking to live out. In the process I have shed my consumer mentality and embraced the philosophy that enough is enough. I know now that focus on the ills of this world and on "the least of these" is what being a person of faith requires. This is also part of the message of this book.
McLaren's book is a methodical look at what must change and how it could change starting with people of faith if we all make a choice:
A choice to stop believing that the equity system is about a few getting more and start believing that all should have enough.
A choice to stop believing that prosperity can happen without sustainability and start believing that what we do to our environment and each other matters for our future and to God.
A choice to stop believing that funding security will keep us safe and start believing that making the world a better place to live, for everyone and everything, will eliminate the need for war.
This philosophy though, is not a simple choice between capitalism and socialism, democrat and republican, developed and underdeveloped, rich and poor, good and bad. The yin and yang of the world is broken down in many shades of many colors. Black and white won't do anymore. It's time we stopped focusing on the line that separates, and shift our gaze to everything else so that the lines become out of focus and eventually disappear.
Back to the book, yes, I thought it was good, but more important, it's to the point and relevant. No, I don't agree with everything the author believes, though I do agree with most and I most certainly agree with this book and the solutions presented within. Label me if you like; join me if you will in agreeing that:
Everything must change.
Simply,
Tim
Recent Comments