Pastor focuses on monotheistic roots in aim to reduce violence

Brian McLaren, a leader in the “emergent church” movement, says the three Abrahamic religions ”” Christianity, Judaism and Islam ”” are very dangerous.

“Christians, Muslims and Jews are, in some ways, the most dangerous people on the planet, and probably Christians being the most dangerous because their fingers are closer to the most nuclear weapons,” he told an audience here at Baker Book House.

But a new series of books on ancient religious traditions ”” including an introductory tome by McLaren ”” seeks to find unity in the ancient practices these religions share.

“If (Muslims, Christians and Jews) can find points of contact, maybe it will help us avoid pressing these buttons,” he said.

McLaren, a pastor, speaker and activist, spoke last week about some of his books, including his latest, Finding Our Way Again, which explores a return to ancient practices held in common by these three religions, such as fixed hours for prayer and observance of the Sabbath.

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, Religion & Culture, Violence

9 comments on “Pastor focuses on monotheistic roots in aim to reduce violence

  1. Jeffersonian says:

    [blockquote]”Christians, Muslims and Jews are, in some ways, the most dangerous people on the planet, and probably Christians being the most dangerous because their fingers are closer to the most nuclear weapons,”[/blockquote]

    Pastor McLaren seems to be so open-minded that his brain has fallen out. Israel has nukes, as does Pakistan and Iran is on its way to joining “the club.” That said, which Abrahamic religion has been prone to widespread apocalyptic, nihilistic and suicidal actions for the past, oh, 40 years? Now, care to revise and extend your remarks, Brian?

  2. viamediator says:

    As often happens with additional wisdom and notoriety, Brian is giving the “emergent church” a baad name. (Baad intended)

  3. A Floridian says:

    This man is a self-made self-appointed sly faux prophet who has no respect for the Lord Jesus, no comprehension of the Word, no use for The Cross or the Blood. That he was invited to Lambeth says a lot…about both him and the Lambeth conference.

  4. Hakkatan says:

    Good grief… Open mouth, insert foot. He’s got that down pat. He seems to have been prattling quite a bit recently, and the more I read of what he has said, the less respect I have for him (and there was not much to start with…)

  5. drfnw says:

    If things “such as fixed hours for prayer and observance of the Sabbath” were of real value, why exactly did Jesus come? die? rise? The fact is the Jews of Jesus’ day were very observant of such things, so why was the Lord so very unimpressed?

  6. Pb says:

    This is more of the romantic idea of the noble savage. People are basically good and they have been corrupted by society and religion. There is nothing Christian about this and he should be confronted with his error.

  7. phil swain says:

    McLaren and his chosen candidate want to return to the ancient religious practice of child sacrifice.

  8. the roman says:

    Reminds me of Ebionites.

  9. azusa says:

    There is no such thing as ‘the Abrahamic religions’. The term is a pseudo-scholarly invention. Abraham does not have more centrality in Judaism, Christianity or Islam than Adam or Moses.