After several other McLaren titles, I thought I'd enjoy this one. Maybe it's about timing, but the writing didn't engage me. His topic holds great potential, but the tone of the writer (see what I know/how I'm thinking) proved distracting to me. ( )

I don't often just leave books with no intention to go back to them, but when I've had to borrow it from the library twice for multiple renewals each time and I still can't get more than 1/2 way through, it's time to put it down.
I started reading because I was curious about the author's views and what he thinks Jesus would say about our current situation. What I've found is that I really don't agree with him much at all. He seems to be taking a very wide view on things, when my impression of Jesus is of a man who deals with individuals, not classes, not people groups, not nations, but each person on their own.
I also didn't care much for the tone of his book, that anyone that believes anything more conservative than him is stuck in some archaic, sad form of Christianity, no matter how many times he said he was dealing in generalities and there were many viewpoints between his own and the one he was countering, I always felt condescended to if I didn't agree with him (which was pretty frequent).
Overall, I'm not going to miss getting to the end, I don't think. I wanted to know what he had to say so that I could have an answer for it, and I do, even it's just an impression. If I need to, I can come back to it. ( )

My favorite section in this excellent Christian teaching tool is the page describing the documentary, "The Corporation", in which an FBI consultant (Dr Robert Hare) appears to describe the characteristics of corporations. The six characteristics are a perfect match for the unique diagnosis in "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" for a PSYCHOPATH. [197] ( )

"How doe the life and teachings of Jesus address the most critical global
problems in our world today? In this book you will accompany Brian around the
world on a search for answers. Along the way you'll experience intrigue, alarm,
challenge, insight, and hope. You'll get a fresh and provocative vision of
Jesus and his teachings. And you'll see how his core message can infuse us with
purpose and passion to address the economic, environmental, military,
political, and social dysfunctions that have overtaken our world." --back cover

A call to action, McLaren's work offers an indictment of the modern cultures of excess and exclusion. If you are concerned about social justice issues and a Christian response, McLaren is a must-read. ( )