Neither Moderate Nor Extreme

September 19, 2011 by Brian McLaren

Continued from Page 1

Micah thus covers the range from conventional/moderate to extreme responses. Then he introduces his third way. Arguing about degrees—I'm holier than thou, I'm more zealous than you—is an adventure in missing the point. God desires not a different degree of piety by a different kind of piety entirely: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

We need a better choice than either compromised, conventional, inconsistent moderation or consistent, zealous extremism, and Micah names it: authentic, wise, deeply committed faith of another kind (not just degree)...faith marked by justice, kindness, and humility. Can we inwardly dedicate ourselves to that third way—and have the courage to publicly, firmly, graciously differ with those who don't?

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9/19/2011 4:00:00 AM

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About Brian McLaren

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and networker among innovative Christian leaders. His dozen-plus books include A New Kind of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy, Naked Spirituality, and Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? He and his wife, Grace, live in Florida and have four adult children and four grandchildren. He's an avid wildlife and outdoors enthusiast. His newest book, We Make the Road by Walking, is available now and offers 52+ fresh readings of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

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