The Not-So-Secret Gnostic Redeemer/Kingdom Preacher of Brian McLaren
(A Brief Recipe similar to the “The Secret Message of Jesus”)
“In one of my previous books, I said that clarity is sometimes overrated and that intrigue is correspondingly undervalued. But here I want to say—clearly—that it is tragic for anyone, especially anyone affiliated with the religion named after Jesus, not to be clear about what Jesus’ message actually was.” page 7
In “The Secret Message of Jesus” Brian McLaren is “getting it right” for us. Finally—after almost 2,000 years of the most studied man in the history of the world—someone is finally on target about what Jesus really was teaching! Phew! We just barely made it before….. And, of course, Jesus must have been quite an effective communicator since we have been “studying” Him with this nebulous cloud of unknowing revolving around us all these years. His has been a captivating message—we just didn’t know what it was—but now a plethora of enlightened ones are finally figuring it out. Add Brian and W Publishing with this “ground-breaking” (front jacket cover) book to the list!
I recently found this recipe tucked away in an old book and I thought I might share it with you.
Step 1 - Take three full cups of Jesus teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven as a “counter political message” rather than the “in-breaking of God’s Kingdom from “outside the system” in power and new dynamic in and through the “person” of Jesus for the salvation of souls.” {This cup is similar to the recent historical realities of the Catholic cup of Jesus’ spiritual/political “revolution” in the 20th century in South America. A careful study of church history would probably find some similar and generic brands which you could use.)
“How did my thinking change to see the public and political dimensions of Jesus’ message?...When I learned some basic information about Jesus’ historical and political context…a dynamic new picture began to take shape….Jesus launched a global spiritual revolution.” page11, 12
“…What is the alternative? It is to see, seek, receive, and enter a new political and social and spiritual reality he calls the kingdom…” page 17
Step 2 - Mix in 1 scoop of Jesus as a Jewish “prophet” who ushers in a “new world order” rather than the “double-edged sword of salvation and judgment.” This scoop should be thoroughly mixed within the full cups of the “Kingdom” in step 1 so as to be non-distinguishable from anything that would look like “New Age” teachings being added into the recipe. (Some have a strange “resistance” to the smells of the “New Age,” but a mixing of the ingredients should help alleviate any hesitations at consumption.)
“Jesus echoed and intensified the prophetic message that a new world order was possible and coming.” page 23
“…God will see God’s own primal dream for creation finally coming true—and that dream won’t be imposed by God from outside by domination against creation’s will, but it will emerge from within creation itself, so that God’s dream and creation’s groaning for fulfillment are one.” page 203
Step 3 - Thoroughly soak the mixed ingredients in a bowl of “don’t make it seem like Paul got it wrong because he believed in the kingdom just like us” fermented juice. This will give the seemingly strange mixture of ingredients a special “nebulous, yet kingdom” flavor, so that it is quite palatable and inclusive for all the types who would join our party. And there is an added bonus if one consumes enough! He will come to “forget” (while the special agents are marginalizing) all those nasty old-Pauline types who purposely tried to un-spike the punch and spoil the party with “clear doctrine” which is a part of the “old-wineskin” teachings. {Our new formulated Pauline types don’t have this problem.} In fact, many may not notice when the old-Pauline types are removed from the party. (An intoxicated good riddance would be in order here!)
“However, I don’t think Paul is the enemy, I think Paul is actually a friend of the gospel of the kingdom, perhaps its best friend since Jesus.” page 91
“This, by the way, is what the problematic word ‘REPENTANCE’ is all about. The word means to rethink—to reconsider your direction and consider a new one, to admit that you might be wrong, to give your life a second thought, to think about your thinking.” page 47 {over and over and over and…I've reached a conclusion...how dare you think like that you arrogant smart aleck…over and over and over….}
Step 4 - Place the mixture into the “Jesus didn’t like Pharisees because they were narrow and exclusive” baking mold. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. What a wonderful odor will fill your world as you allow the freshly baked mixture to cool. Only an idiot would dare say it doesn’t smell right since anybody who can read knows that Jesus didn’t like Pharisees!
“Early on in my exploration of Jesus’ secret message, it became clear to me that the exclusive attitude of the Pharisees and religious scholars angered Jesus….This concern is especially relevant these days when the Christian religion is too often perceived as a divisive, judgmental, rancorous, and exclusionary movement—nearly the opposite of a kingdom of peace, available to all, beginning with the least.” pages 162-163
Step 5 - Sprinkle the finished product with a healthy dose of “let’s change sin-repentance-individuals to crisis-invitation-transformation-society” granulated topping so as to give the recipe a pleasant look and eating texture. {Many do not realize that sight and texture can be a very important part of the joy of eating!}. Familiarity in sight and texture is an important part of recalling past blessings in the consumption of food. {We will employ what looks like “sin-repentance” into our mix to play upon this recall for those who are concerned about those things – maybe we can keep them eating our product which we know is really good for them.} But we are actually using a “crisis-invitation-transformation” low-conscience pierced/no-guilt substitute for this texture. This really works because every culture seems to already have this particular texture. {And, like I always say, familiarity breeds consumption.} And since we find “God” is actually already working in all of these cultures we are simply acknowledging His all wise, all knowing work already displayed. This fact will greatly enhance the willingness of others to taste our delicacy. {Please do not use the “fallen universe/society of men is being reserved for fire” granulated toppings because—well—the people just won’t eat it.}
“(In this light, Jesus’ invitation into the kingdom of God was an invitation into the original universe, as it was meant to be.)” page 53
“As we’ve already seen, the ancient Jews understood humanity to have been plunged into crisis because we humans have abused our freedom….As a result, the whole organism or community of the world has become sick, and its sickness is ugly, painful, and terminal, adversely affecting every woman, man, girl, and boy.” page 54
“That’s how I have come to understand the signs and wonders of Jesus….the kingdom of God—with its peace, healing, sanity, empowerment, and freedom—is available to all, here and now.” page 59
“And what is the goal of this suffering sacrifice, this self-giving to the point of blood to achieve the pax Christi? It is a new and lasting reconciliation between humanity and God,…” page 99
{For more information on this particular aspect of Step 4 study the Gnostics and the battle the early church fought against them.}
Forget that “Christianity” is exclusionary because Jesus made exclusive remarks about Himself. Forget that “Christianity” can be divisive because Jesus taught that His teachings would be like a fire that would ignite. And REALLY forget that Jesus Himself said that His followers would actually be hated by this world and they would actually be put to death by people who thought they were doing service to “GOD.” And since talking about “eschatology” is divisive and nobody really knows the answers – we shouldn’t do it. And, oh, by the way, please swallow this very bad and subtle “kingdom-now and emerging from within” eschatology of this “ground-breaking” document. Hmm – I wonder if false teaching might play to people’s ignorance. Hmm. It would seem with the emerging church, of which Brian McLaren seems to be a guiding force, that anyone who holds to Biblical clarity has committed, for them, the unpardonable sin. And of course if he would have talked about ALL the texts that dealt with Jesus teachings on the kingdom - well - that would shed quite a light on his skewed understanding.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “… ‘My kingdom is not of this world’…”
The “Secret” Teller Matthew 13:47-50 ESV John 18:36a NASB
“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
The “Secret” Teller’s Apostle Ephesians 5:5-6
Quotes taken from: The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything by Brian D. McLaren, W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson Publishing, Inc., 2006.
Copyright 2006, David Sheldon, all rights reserved. Can be photocopied only in its entirety and not for profit but free distribution.
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