Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

By Amy Spreeman

Post-modern liberalism in the Body of Christ is what gives the Emergent Church theology its wings. It helps you toss along the waves of uncertainty; question what God said is Truth.  A few weeks ago we reported the many ways in which the Church is emerging into a New kind of Spirituality, one that brings together people of all faiths.

Yesterday on 9-11, a brand new book was released by Brian McLaren: Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed cross the road?  Is it a bad joke? Here’s Brian McLaren’s punchline:

My answer to the question Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed cross the road is simply, this: To get to “the other.”

In other words, everything we know about Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammad, tells us that—if they were here today—they would be trying to lead us into an encounter with the other where, instead of killing one another, and hating one another, we would discover one another.

As all God’s children…

There is no “new” Christianity. God is not “doing something new;” Brian McLaren is. If you read this book, read it with your Bible wide open.  I’m not going to read it, nor is this article a book review. There is an in-depth podcast review over at Fighting For The Faith if you’d like to understand why this book and this movement are dangerously leading more Christians over the doctrinal cliff.

You might not be able to judge a book by its cover, but you can tell a lot about it by those who gush over it.  Here are what other heavy hitters in the Emergent, New Age and Interfaith movements have to say about the book:

‘[Brian McLaren] actually believes that Jesus and his followers can change the world. This book is no exception – he starts with a joke but quickly you realize just how serious he is about doing what Jesus teaches us to do. Helpful, timely, and really, really inspiring.’
– Rob Bell, author of Love Wins

‘This is a major work in every sense of the word – so major, in fact, that it would be impossible to exaggerate either its importance or its worth to the current conversation about religion and religions. Mapping the space between Christian exclusivism and inert universalism, McLaren brilliantly reclaims the ancient Christian imperative to abandon the accommodations of static religion and pursue instead the principles of Kingdom-living.’
– Phyllis Tickle, author of Emergence Christianity

As one who wants the world to know the love of Jesus, I am deeply troubled that one of the major obstacles to Christ is Christians . . . and I am deeply grateful for thinkers like Brian who are helping us discover a Christianity that looks like Jesus again.’
– Shane Claiborne, activist and author of The Irresistible Revolution

Religious pluralism and freedom is under siege, threatened by exclusivism, intolerance and extremism, at home and abroad.  This engaging and compelling guidebook, written by one of America’s most influential religious thinkers and spiritual teachers, is groundbreaking, redefining religious pluralism for the 21st century. It is a “must read” for Christians and followers of other faiths or no faith.
– John L. Esposito is University Professor and Founding Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University and author of The Future of Islam.

This is a dangerous question. Dangerous in that it will not leave you alone once you invite it in . . . Brian reminds us that this question is not new, but that it is ours. I, for one, am grateful to Brian for the introduction to this immensely important book and question.’
– Doug Pagitt, pastor and author

As a Jewish theologian, I welcome this important contribution to showing the path through which all religions can become an emancipatory force for human liberation.’
– Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun, Chair of the Interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives

‘Surely there is no problem more important – and more vexing – to people of various faiths than how we can all get along in this pluralistic, post- modern world. In Brian McLaren’s capable and gentle hands, these questions are answered, and a new way forward is offered. This is a book for Christians (and others) who want to maintain their religious distinctiveness but develop loving compassion for their neighbors of other religions.’
—Tony Jones, author of The New Christians

Unfortunately, many Christians who sit at the feet of these leaders will ultimately embrace people who have other gods before them.  Not to evangelize, but to build bridges and meet felt needs–until we accept and build solidarity with those differences in the name of liberal tolerance.

Related articles

• Brian McLaren: We’re All God’s Children (christianresearchnetwork.org)
• Exploring a new kind of Christianity (standupforthetruth.com)
• Obama Supporters Jim Wallis and Brian McLaren Praise OWS with their Occupy Theology(standupforthetruth.com)
• Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?(fightingforthefaith.com) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
• Who are the Red Letter Christians? (standupforthetruth.com)
• Letter to the Editor: Tens of Thousands Introduced to Contemplative Advocates Gungor and David Crowder at Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusade (lighthousetrailsresearch.com)

Thank you to sis Amy Spreeman for this article. Please visit Stand Up For the Truth for more articles :