Omelettes and Souffles (Great American cooking schools)

The first book of a trilogy written in the style of The Shack, McLaren introduces you to A New Kind of Christian. Pastor Dan Poole has almost given up on the ministry. He is disillusioned and isn't even sure what he believes anymore. Upon taking his daughter to a homegrown rock concert, Pastor Poole meets Neil Oliver - a High School science teacher. Dan and Neil begin a relationship that will cover faith, doubt, reason,... Read Full Review

A New Kind of Christian is Brian McLaren's introductory work into understanding how the postmodern era--as well as the modern, medeival, and Roman eras--have all shaped our perspectives on Christianity. McLaren argues that current evangelical Christianity is one cultural motif--one modern achievment--in conceptualizing the Christian God. Though many aspects of evangelical Christianity are beautiful, true, and good, many... Read Full Review

Wow, what a book. A fictional tale of a pastor facing burnout amidst questions about his effectiveness. He makes friends with his daughter's high school science teacher and informs him that he's planning on quitting the ministry and taking up teaching. The high school teacher helps the pastor understand that we are at a critical turning point in history, similar to the turning point that marked the modern world from the medieval... Read Full Review

Bryan McLaren, who I'm certain is no stranger to being misunderstood, takes a great risk in "A New Kind Of Christian." He risks finding himself on the wrong side of the Christian establishment. McLaren's attempt is to open the door of understanding that if we as the Church are going to gain an audience with younger generations (and older post-modern thinkers, as McLaren would point out), we better stop pretending to have... Read Full Review

I have a lot of respect for Brian and this book is a rare gift. I fear that some won't hear the essential message because they'll get bogged down criticizing some of the details. I walked away from it disturbed and refreshed - disturbed because Brian challenged me to a deeper understanding of faithfulness; refreshed because he takes the first steps toward clearing a path for those willing to set aside preconceived notions... Read Full Review