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Brian McLaren

Columnist

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is an ecumenical global networker among innovative Christian leaders.

Born in 1956, he graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in English (BA, summa cum laude, 1978, and MA, in 1981). His academic interests included Medieval drama, Romantic poets, modern philosophical literature, and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate, this one from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal).

From 1978 to 1986, McLaren taught college English, and in 1982, he helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational church in the Baltimore-Washington region (crcc.org). He left higher education in 1986 to serve as the church's founding pastor and served in that capacity until 2006. During that time, Cedar Ridge earned a reputation as a leader among emerging missional congregations.

Brian has been active in networking and mentoring church planters and pastors since the mid 1980s, and has assisted in the development of several new churches. He is a popular conference speaker and a frequent guest lecturer for denominational and ecumenical leadership gatherings - across the US and Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. His public speaking covers a broad range of topics including postmodern thought and culture, Biblical studies, evangelism, leadership, global mission, spiritual formation, worship, pastoral survival and burnout, inter-religious dialogue, ecology, and social justice.

He is primarily known, however, as a thinker and writer. His first book, The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix, (Zondervan, 1998, rev. ed. 2000) has been recognized as a primary portal into the current conversation about postmodern ministry. His second book, Finding Faith (Zondervan, 1999), is a contemporary apologetic, written for thoughtful seekers and skeptics. (It was later re-released as two short books, A Search for What Makes Sense and A Search for What Is Real.) More Ready Than You Realize (Zondervan, 2002) presents a refreshing approach to spiritual friendship. Adventures in Missing the Point (coauthored with Dr. Anthony Campolo, Zondervan, 2003) explores theological reform in a postmodern context. A Generous Orthodoxy (Zondervan, 2004), is a personal confession and has been called a "manifesto of the emerging church conversation."

His first work of teaching fiction (or creative-nonfiction), A New Kind of Christian (Jossey-Bass, 2001), won Christianity Today's "Award of Merit" in 2002, and has become one of the pivotal texts for what is increasingly called "Emergence Christianity." It was followed by The Story We Find Ourselves In (Jossey-Bass, 2003), which seeks to tell the Biblical story in a fresh way. Brian concluded this trilogy with The Last Word and the Word After That (Jossey-Bass, 2005), a book that reopened the question of hell and final judgment.

His 2006 release, The Secret Message of Jesus (Thomas Nelson), explores the theme of the kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus. Everything Must Change (Thomas Nelson, 2007) traces critical ways in which Jesus' message of the kingdom of God confronts contemporary global crises. In Finding Our Way Again (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Brian draws resources from ancient traditions and practices to enrich spiritual formation today.

In A New Kind of Christianity (HarperOne, 2010), Brian articulated ten questions that are central to the emergence of a postmodern, post-colonial Christian faith. His 2011 HarperOne release, Naked Spirituality, offers "simple, doable, and durable" practices to help people deepen their life with God.

Brian's books have been translated into many languages, including Korean, Chinese, French, Swedish, Norwegian, German, and Spanish. He has written for or contributed interviews to many periodicals, including Leadership, Sojourners, Tikkun, Worship Leader, and Conversations. He is an active and popular blogger, a musician, and a songwriter, offering a variety of resources through his website, www.brianmclaren.net.

A frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs, he has appeared on Larry King Live, Nightline, and Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. His work has also been covered in Time (where he was listed as one of American's 25 most influential evangelicals), Christianity Today, Christian Century, the Washington Post, Huffington Post, and many other print media.

He has taught or lectured at many seminaries and has served on a number of boards, including Emergent Village (emergentvillage.com), Sojourners (sojo.net), Mars Hill Graduate School (mhgs.edu), International Teams (iteams.org), and Off The Map (off-the-map.org), and he is a founding member of Red Letter Christians (redletterchristians.org).

Brian is married to Grace, and they have four adult children. His personal interests include wildlife, ecology, fishing, hiking, music, art, and literature.

Works by Brian McLaren

When Patriarchy Is the Problem (Not the Solution)

Brian McLaren | November 29, 2017

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The Last Reformation … and the Next Reformation

Brian McLaren | November 01, 2017

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The 'Alt-Right' Has Created Alt-Christianity

Brian McLaren | September 18, 2017

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Why Pastors and Priests Are Leaving the Church (Part 1)

Brian McLaren | July 05, 2017

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The Conservative Evangelical Project: An Unexpected Grief

Brian McLaren | October 31, 2016

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In Praise of Political Correctness (A Poem)

Brian McLaren | June 27, 2016

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Q&R: Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner?

Brian McLaren | June 24, 2016

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Q & R: Is There Any Part of Christianity That I Can...

Brian McLaren | June 10, 2016

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We Make the Road Church-Wide Curriculum...and Beyond

Brian McLaren | April 25, 2016

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A Post-Easter Meditation

Brian McLaren | March 29, 2016

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The Most Important Question Pastors Can Ask Before this...

Brian McLaren | March 25, 2016

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Faith Can Change the Climate: The Rev. Jim Wallis

Brian McLaren | March 03, 2016

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Faith Can Change the Climate: Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crow

Brian McLaren | March 03, 2016

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The Afraid People

Brian McLaren | January 15, 2016

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David Gushee gets it right on Wheaton College

Brian McLaren | January 07, 2016

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A Sabbatical...

Brian McLaren | November 11, 2015

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Gradye Parsons to Donald Trump

Brian McLaren | October 29, 2015

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The Pope in America: Three Steps Forward!

Brian McLaren | September 11, 2015

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Coming Together in Faith On Climate: A Multi-Faith...

Brian McLaren | August 26, 2015

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A Sermon from a 9 Year Old

Brian McLaren | August 25, 2015

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A Desirable Future for Progressive Faith: Three...

Brian McLaren | July 29, 2015

In light of the history of belief-system Christianity we have good reason, if not a......

Q&R: Church Futures?

Brian McLaren | May 22, 2015

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The Uprising Begins: An Easter Sunday Reflection

Brian McLaren | April 05, 2015

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In Honor of Marcus Borg

Brian McLaren | January 23, 2015

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An Open Letter to the New Congress: Care for the Earth

Brian McLaren | January 13, 2015

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Are You Saying the Entire Christian Faith Has Been Wrong?

Brian McLaren | November 21, 2014

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Peter Enns on the Bible, Part 3

Brian McLaren | October 07, 2014

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Peter Enns on the Bible, Part 2

Brian McLaren | September 29, 2014

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Peter Enns on The Bible , Part I

Brian McLaren | September 17, 2014

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Dear Charisma Media...

Brian McLaren | September 09, 2014

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Israel, Gaza, Sanity, and Insanity (Part 2)

Brian McLaren | August 04, 2014

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Israel, Gaza, Insanity and Sanity (Part 1)

Brian McLaren | July 28, 2014

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Q&R: Famous Niebuhr Quote -- What Do You Think? (Part 1)

Brian McLaren | July 16, 2014

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Q&R: Repenting of Our Will to Power?

Brian McLaren | July 09, 2014

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What I Said at the White House

Brian McLaren | July 01, 2014

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On Israel, Palestine, and Presbyterian Divestment

Brian McLaren | June 24, 2014

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The Problem Isn't the Bible

Brian McLaren | June 18, 2014

The Bible is too good and too important to be left to those who won't think critically......

We Can Refuse To Be Enemies

Brian McLaren | June 09, 2014

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We Make the Road By Walking (Video)

Brian McLaren | May 08, 2014

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Good Friday Meditation

Brian McLaren | April 18, 2014

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Contraception, Hobby Lobby, and Abortion

Brian McLaren | April 11, 2014

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Do Not Fix Others as You Would Not Want to be Fixed

Brian McLaren | March 21, 2014

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Q&R: Emerging? Progressive?

Brian McLaren | March 21, 2014

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A Letter to Publix Owners and Management

Brian McLaren | March 10, 2014

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Q&R: You, Rob Bell, Donald Miller, and Christianity Today

Brian McLaren | February 25, 2014

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Brian McLaren on The Future of CANA

Brian McLaren | February 10, 2014

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Children and Youth Ministry People...

Brian McLaren | February 04, 2014

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Q&R: Which Denomination?

Brian McLaren | January 16, 2014

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Q&R: Multiple Religious Identities?

Brian McLaren | December 05, 2013

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Q&R: Calling Myself a Christian

Brian McLaren | November 19, 2013

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Experiences in Thailand

Brian McLaren | November 04, 2013

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Q & R: Just Some Vague Hope in the Distant Mysterious...

Brian McLaren | October 21, 2013

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"How Was Worship Yesterday?"

Brian McLaren | October 15, 2013

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Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Peace (Part 1)

Brian McLaren | October 07, 2013

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Spirituality and Labels

Brian McLaren | September 18, 2013

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Praying for Peace on Saturday

Brian McLaren | September 06, 2013

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Q&R: How Do you Find a Community of Open-Minded...

Brian McLaren | August 19, 2013

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Home from Wild Goose...

Brian McLaren | August 13, 2013

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About Egypt

Brian McLaren | August 02, 2013

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Big Consequences. Big Opportunities. Big Choices.

Brian McLaren | July 26, 2013

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Q&R: Responding Charitably

Brian McLaren | July 18, 2013

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Trayvon and George: A Tale of Two Americas

Brian McLaren | July 16, 2013

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Q&R: The Word "Marriage"

Brian McLaren | July 08, 2013

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Lisa Sharon Harper Gets it Right on Affirmative Action

Brian McLaren | July 02, 2013

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An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters

Brian McLaren | June 03, 2013

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Q&R: Christ and His Death

Brian McLaren | May 21, 2013

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Q&R: Bible Study Materials for a 7-Year-Old?

Brian McLaren | May 01, 2013

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Bible Study: Does Hebrews support blood atonement?

Brian McLaren | April 19, 2013

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Q&R: Law is Love?

Brian McLaren | April 10, 2013

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Joining the Resurrection

Brian McLaren | March 31, 2013

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Drones and Good Friday

Brian McLaren | March 28, 2013

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Why I Support Rob Bell's Stance on Gay Marriage

Brian McLaren | March 19, 2013

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Q & R: Trinity - A stumbling block for unity?

Brian McLaren | March 18, 2013

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Lent: Maybe It's About Adding, Not Subtracting

Brian McLaren | March 06, 2013

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Q&R: Faith in Public Life

Brian McLaren | March 05, 2013

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Q&R: Church Buildings, Yes or No?

Brian McLaren | February 26, 2013

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Q&R: Help on Biblical Violence

Brian McLaren | February 06, 2013

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Hell. Yes?

Brian McLaren | February 02, 2013

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Reading the Bible in 2013: A Special Opportunity

Brian McLaren | January 28, 2013

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Thoughts on the Obama Presidency

Brian McLaren | January 23, 2013

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A Benediction for the Inauguration

Brian McLaren | January 17, 2013

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Courageous Words from Steve Chalke

Brian McLaren | January 16, 2013

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What I Appreciate about Republicans, Democrats,...

Brian McLaren | November 06, 2012

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Why We're Leaving Church: A Report from the Nones

Brian McLaren | October 17, 2012

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Responding to the Patheos Roundtable

Brian McLaren | October 02, 2012

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Brian McLaren's Message to the Church on the Fourth of...

Brian McLaren | July 03, 2012

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Joining the Resurrection

Brian McLaren | April 08, 2012

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Joining the Resurrection

Brian McLaren | April 08, 2012

It is good and right to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning, but even......

Lent: Maybe It's About Adding, Not Subtracting

Brian McLaren | February 21, 2012

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The President's "Phony" Theology

Brian McLaren | February 12, 2012

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The Beloved Community Vs. The Beloved Economy

Brian McLaren | February 01, 2012

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The Beloved Community vs. the Beloved Economy

Brian McLaren | February 01, 2012

A year-end accounting mistake led me to give away too much money -- but to realize how......

After the Worship Wars: Christian Identity and Worship

Brian McLaren | January 09, 2012

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After the Worship Wars: Christian Identity and Worship

Brian McLaren | January 09, 2012

If the God we worship is a projection of who we are now, our worship will form in us a......

What would Jesus do if he were here right now?

Brian McLaren | December 23, 2011

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Against "Taking Things Back:" Rethinking the OWS Slogan

Brian McLaren | December 08, 2011

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Against "Taking Things Back:" Rethinking the OWS Slogan

Brian McLaren | December 08, 2011

I'd recommend we abandon "take it back" language altogether -- not simply as a verbal......

OWS and the Holy Spirit

Brian McLaren | November 22, 2011

There is a spiritual dimension to the Occupy movement that too few people understand. A......

The Church and the Solution

Brian McLaren | November 11, 2011

My name is Brian McLaren, and I approved this title....

The Church and the Solution

Brian McLaren | November 02, 2011

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Seminary Is Not the Problem - the Church Is

Brian McLaren | November 01, 2011

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Seminary Is Not the Problem -- the Church Is

Brian McLaren | November 01, 2011

What if seminaries became more like entrepreneurial boot camps than shop management......

Why I'm Joining the Occupation

Brian McLaren | October 19, 2011

I'm in, and would encourage others to join the occupation. Not as a representative of......

Protesting and Pro-testifying: How the 99-Percent Movement...

Brian McLaren | October 12, 2011

Naming the solutions as well as the problems will make all the difference for this......

Fear and Danger: Responding to the SBC's Richard Land

Brian McLaren | September 28, 2011

We need the freedom to disagree, openly and even vigorously, but when we click into......

Neither Moderate Nor Extreme

Brian McLaren | September 19, 2011

We need a better choice than either compromised, conventional, inconsistent moderation......

Is God a Christian?

Brian McLaren | September 12, 2011

Being opposed to Christian exclusivity doesn't mean loving Jesus any less....

In the Aftermath of 9/11: Spiritually Transmitted Diseases

Brian McLaren | September 05, 2011

In catching our enemy's hostile spirit, we can become an even worse enemy to ourselves......

Debt-Ceiling Dreams

Brian McLaren | July 13, 2011

Who was this mysterious "Jim" addressing Congress about the debt ceiling debates?...

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