A Search For What Makes Sense: Finding Faith

Brian McLaren sets out to help possible seekers to find their faith. The problem is, he does not exactly point them to Christianity. The book is full of reference to Scripture and Jesus, but there is very little evangelistic appeal.

First, having fully adopted the postmodern model, McLaren can only encourage conversation, not apologetic arguments. Since the search for faith is not always about facts, he offers mystery and conversation.

Secondly, the philosophical and apologetical points made in the book do not point the reader to the cross. McLaren makes a brief, but precise argument on why atheism and agnosticism fails. He shows the philosophical errors of such worldviews. However, he fails to point the reader to the credibility of the Christian faith. No wonder. His adoption of the postmodern model prevents him from virtually forcing Christianity onto the reader. Out of fear of hurting the readers feelings, McLaren shies away from hard truth.

Thirdly, there is no cross and no gospel. There is a lot of references to Christianity, Jesus, and the other Christians (primarily found in community) but no cross and certainly no gospel. One could walk away and find Christianity appealing and think that if they adopt all that McLaren offers, they will be a Christian just by adopting the title. There is no mention of remissions of sin, faith in the God-man, or repentance of a sinful life. There is no calling for turning from slaves of sin to slaves of Christ. Rather, a shallow "gospel" (if you want to call it that) for those entering the conversation about faith.