by Ingrid Schlueter
Emergent author Brian McLaren doesn't believe in a literal
Second Coming of Jesus. He has problems with the penal
substitutionary atonement of Jesus on the cross. A
literal hell with eternal torment for those who reject Christ? Not likely. The Genesis account of the fall of man?
Not true. But instead of addressing his own spiritual rebellion, Brian appears to want to paint his critics as bigots. In a
recent blog post, McLaren demands that what he calls "discernment websites" (he used the quote marks) address an African country's attempts to codify severe penalties for homosexuality into law. He seems to imply that these same "discernment ministries" would automatically support the arrest and execution of gays by Uganda.
For the record, Brian, that's a pretty nasty strategy to use against those who point to your heretical doctrinal views. While emergents supposedly are intellectual, open-minded people who enjoy conversations with subtle nuances and lots of mystery, McLaren actually sees things in black and white. Anyone who is not willing to jettison cardinal doctrine and embrace his "new kind of Christianity" is painted as ready to commit hate crimes and would support mistreating gays. What an appallingly dishonest way to deal with your critics, McLaren.
Mr. McLaren is helping create a new kind of Christianity that will turn on the old Christianity (the 2000-year-old kind that originated with Jesus Christ) and help create the basis to prosecute the old (biblical) Christians for committing hate crimes. The ADL sent out a press release this morning announcing that hate crimes are just endemic, exploding everywhere you turn, and that something must be done about it. Now that the laws are in place in Washington, Brian McLaren can get busy trying to portray biblical Christians as dangerous, militant wing-nuts who foment hatred against gays and other religions. Consider your strategy exposed, Brian. Our love for the souls of homosexuals is the same love we have for all who need to hear of the saving grace and forgiveness of sins found in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. And all the dishonest emergents will never be able to stifle that powerful, life-changing message.
The phrase 'the Second Coming of Christ' never actually appears in the Bible. Whether or not the doctrine to which the phrase refers deserves rethinking, a popular abuse of it certainly needs to be named and rejected.
–Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change, p. 144
