Emergent author Brian McLaren doesn't believe in a literal
Second Coming of Jesus. He has problems with the penal
substitutionary atonement of Jesus on the cross. A
literal hell with eternal torment for those who reject
Christ? Not likely. The Genesis account of the fall of man?
Not true.
But instead of addressing his own spiritual
rebellion, Brian appears to want to paint his critics as bigots.
In a
recent blog post, McLaren demands that what he calls
"discernment websites" (he used the quote marks) address an
African country's attempts to codify severe penalties for
homosexuality into law. He seems to imply that these same
"discernment ministries" would automatically support the arrest
and execution of gays by Uganda.
For the record, Brian, that's a pretty nasty strategy to use
against those who point to your heretical doctrinal views. While
emergents supposedly are intellectual, open-minded people who
enjoy conversations with subtle nuances and lots of mystery,
McLaren actually sees things in black and white. Anyone who is
not willing to jettison cardinal doctrine and embrace his "new
kind of Christianity" is painted as ready to commit hate crimes
and would support mistreating gays. What an appallingly
dishonest way to deal with your critics, McLaren.
Mr. McLaren is helping create a new kind of Christianity that
will turn on the old Christianity (the 2000-year-old kind that
originated with Jesus Christ) and help create the basis to
prosecute the old (biblical) Christians for committing hate
crimes. The ADL sent out a
press release this morning announcing that hate crimes are
just endemic, exploding everywhere you turn, and that something
must be done about it. Now that the laws are in place in
Washington, Brian McLaren can get busy trying to portray
biblical Christians as dangerous, militant wing-nuts who foment
hatred against gays and other religions. Consider your strategy
exposed, Brian. Our love for the souls of homosexuals is the
same love we have for all who need to hear of the saving grace
and forgiveness of sins found in the atoning blood of Jesus
Christ on the cross. And all the dishonest emergents will never
be able to stifle that powerful, life-changing message.
"The phrase 'the Second Coming of Christ' never actually
appears in the Bible. Whether or not the doctrine to which
the phrase refers deserves rethinking, a popular abuse of it
certainly needs to be named and rejected."
-Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change, p. 144
