"Do I Stay Christian?" (Brian D. McLaren)

TITLE: Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned
AUTHOR: Brian D. McLaren
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: St Martin's Press, 2022, (272 pages).
 

Discouragement, disillusionment, and disappointment. These are increasingly common sentiments among evangelicals. As the author travels around major cities in America, he recalls familiar messages of people, especially clergy, who are not only questioning their own faith, they were contemplating leaving both ministry and belief altogether! The author invites us to ponder over the very question, which is also the title of the book: "Do I Stay Christian?" This may seem like a silly question, especially for those of us who have taken the label for granted. One needs to read the book further to discover the many nuances of Christian beliefs. In his typically frank manner, Brian McLaren probes deep into the heart of the cultural Christian, people who call themselves evangelicals but find it increasingly difficult to justify their association with the institutional Church or even the faith itself. From his own diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, he shares with us his own search for identity and probes with us the current state of faith and identity crises. He pushes the envelope further by saying that the question posed as the title of the book is not simply an intellectual exercise but involves matters of the heart, identity, and ultimate concern. Like a liberal arts professor, he prevents the different views as objectively as possible. He then argues from the two main positions before showing us the way forward that brings together the positives from both angles. Like a debater that argues back and forth between both positions of opposing and affirming the resolution, McLaren aims to show the best of both sides in the hope that we can find a reasonable path forward that does justice to both. Above all, whether one affirms or denies the faith, the gospel of love is to love both sides regardless. 

On the NO front (Part One), he presents ten arguments from anti-semitism to the oft-mentioned accusations of hypocrisy over money. There are arguments that reflect real sentiments in our culture such as the historical assault on dissent, the perception of white supremacy in Christianity, and the depressing greying Church population. 

On the YES front (Part Two), he also gives ten reasons to keep the faith. Leaving the faith hurts one's friends and allies. The choices of leaving or staying should not be the only options. We should not jump ship when the Church is still writing her story. Some of the reasons do sound a little questionable, such as the one to "Free God" from His obligation to us. 

Finally, Part Three covers thoughts about how to do justice to the sentiments of the things discussed. McLaren offers readers eight suggestions on navigating the issues between faith and doubt. 

My Thoughts

This book is written primarily from an angle that reflects the current American spiritual climate that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Readers from the West, especially if one is from a white evangelical background, these issues might spark feelings close to the heart. Those who are outside of these circles might find some of the issues foreign to them, (for example the chapter on "White Patriarchy.") With the way the previous President Trump has divided public opinions, especially evangelical groups, there is a need to make sense of the divide so that we can find a common space to do the good that we all want to do. Even as the author describes the way the evangelical white groups assert their power, I am not sure how much that represents the majority white population. More likely, it is a vocal and influential minority who wields the ax. Perhaps, this is a reminder to the silent majority to speak up. In this sense, this book is doing just that. Some of the arguments are a little over the top. For example, the chapter on Christianity's suppression of dissent. The pushback is that power corrupts and anyone in power (including the Church) is in danger of being corrupt. Perhaps, McLaren is just thinking out loud some of the negative thoughts about the Church. That said, like any advertisement that tends to exaggerate something, I think some of McLaren's arguments have unwittingly flipped to an undesired extreme. I must also add that readers should take time to read the arguments and not to draw conclusions just by looking at the single argumentative statement, namely, the title of the chapter. For me, readers who are currently believers and Church-goers should learn from the NO section and be aware of such perceptions. For the YES section, readers ought to read it with a stance of humility. 

I find the work honest and provocative. It is honest in the sense that it contains several personal stories that support the claims made. This is even more important in an increasingly skeptical world, especially when it comes to religious expressions. It is provocative because it dares to challenge people about their long-held beliefs. The value of this book is two-fold. First, learn from the negative perceptions and try to understand why the Church and Christianity have such a negative image. Be willing to learn and acknowledge past mistakes. Second, be encouraged that there is hope. Christianity is about the revelation of the gospel of hope in Jesus. Admit that how Christians practice the faith is still very much a work in progress. Be humble and hopeful. 

The appendices could have been easily incorporated into the main part of the book, but for some reason, are left at the end. Perhaps, these are areas of conviction that McLaren holds firmly that cannot be easily inserted into either the NO or YES portions of the book. Readers should read Appendix I first so that they can understand how to get the most out of this book. The author suggests two ways to read it, firstly to read it carefully by underlining or compiling quotations, and secondly with a group. I would like to suggest a third way: with the Bible. What McLaren has done is to acknowledge the cultural perceptions of the shortcomings of the Church and evangelicals, especially in recent years. However, the Bible has been saying the same thing all along, that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Perhaps, if readers would be motivated to explore and read the Bible more after reading this book, it would have worth the price of the book.

This is a good resource to invite discussion among doubters, skeptics, and the disillusioned. Maybe, this book opens the door for anyone sitting on the fence to reconsider the Truth of the gospel.

A former college English teacher, Brian D. McLaren was a pastor for twenty-four years. Now he’s an author, activist, public theologian, and frequent guest lecturer for gatherings in the U.S. and internationally. His work has been covered in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and many other media outlets. The author of more than 15 books, including Faith After Doubt, Do I Stay Christian?, and A New Kind of Christian, he is a faculty member of The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation. McLaren lives in Florida.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of St Martin's Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.