Matthew 16:13-16

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,^[c] the Son of the living God.”

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow.

I first encountered Brian McLaren by reading one of his books, A Generous Orthodoxy, upon the recommendation of our presbytery’s resource librarian. A few years later, I attended a week-long continuing education event at the National Cathedral’s College of Preachers where the 30 or so participants enjoyed many hours of conversation with McLaren. The title and subtitle of this one book,

(A GENEROUS ORTHODOXY: Why I am a missional + evangelical + post/protestant + liberal/conservative + mystical/poetic + biblical + charismatic/contemplative + fundamentalist/calvinist + anabaptist/Anglican + Methodist + catholic + green + incarnational + depressed-yet-hopeful + emergent + unfinished Christian)

and his ingenious unpacking of so many terms and concepts, continues to help me answer for myself what it is to be a follower of Jesus.

Prayer

Help me God, to know who Jesus is, and to follow Him faithfully as I live this day that You have given me. Keep my focus on mission and Your kingdom, and give me hope as I live as an unfinished Christian. Amen.