Product Description

After many years as a successful pastor, Brian McLaren has found, as more and more Christians are finding, that none of the current strains of Christianity fully describes his own faith. In The Story We Find Ourselves In –– the much anticipated sequel to his award–winning book A New Kind of Christian–– McLaren captures a new spirit of a relevant Christianity, where traditional divisions and doctrinal differences give way to a focus on God and the story of God′s love for this world. If you are searching for a deeper life with God–– one that moves beyond the rhetoric of denominational and theological categories–– this delightful and inspiring fictional tale will provide a picture of what it could mean to recapture a joyful spiritual life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #256793 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
"…this is a book you’ll want to read at least twice." (UK Christian Bookshops, July 2005)

Written as a piece of fiction, this second in a series by McLaren explores the places where many interested in the newer forms of Christianity now find themselves—uncomfortable in the traditional and evangelical churches, and evaluating what the mission of the Christian community should be. Anyone interested in what is the next phase of Christianity in America should read this book. (St. Louis Post–Dispatch, December 7, 2003)

Review
"…this is a book you’ll want to read at least twice." (UK Christian Bookshops, July 2005)

From the Inside Flap
After many years as a successful pastor, Brian McLaren has found, as more and more Christians are finding, that none of the current strains of Christianity fully describes his own faith. In The Story We Find Ourselves In — the much anticipated sequel to his award–winning book A New Kind of Christian— McLaren captures a new spirit of a relevant Christianity, where traditional divisions and doctrinal differences give way to a focus on God and the story of God′s love for this world. If you are searching for a deeper life with God— one that moves beyond the rhetoric of denominational and theological categories— this delightful and inspiring fictional tale will provide a picture of what it could mean to recapture a joyful spiritual life.

Brian McLaren′s witty and wise characters take on difficult, faith–busting themes, from evolution and evangelism to death, and the meaning of life— and reveal that the answers to life′s pressing spiritual questions often come from the most unlikely sources. Dan and Neo (and some new characters as well) invite reflection on the story we find ourselves in— that is, the narrative of God′s presence and meaning in the world now and in the future. In doing so they encourage each of us to live as a new kind of Christian. The Story We Find Ourselves In ultimately provides inspiration for revitalizing Christian spiritual life and offers Christians everywhere a new story of their faith′s relevance in today′s world.

Customer Reviews

This book is amazing!!!
Honestly this book has been sooo liberating for me.

No longer does post-modernity have to be considered an enemy of christianity (as it often has been seen by a church stuck in its modern ways). Rather, it is a culture with good points and bad points just like any other.

If you love Jesus, yet you sometimes find yourself identifying more with those around you than with those in the church, then this book is for you.

Or if you are just intrigued by him or some ideas of christianity, yet don't like the idea of a controlling, irrelevant religion then this is for you too.

It is written as a narrative rather than a textbook, so is very easy to read. The downside of this (and, perhaps, of its American audience) is that it has moments of cheesiness that you will need to forgive. But look beyond this and you will find a tale that may resonate with something deep within you.

WARNING: This book is not for everyone. If, for example, you think that evolution and christianity are inherently opposed then you will probably not like it.

Stories about the Story?
Dan & Neo from ‘A New Kind of Christian’, together with a couple of new characters, explore and expound the story we find ourselves in—the great story of life, the universe & everything. According to Neo there are seven main episodes: Creation, Crisis (the fall, sin & disobedience), Calling (of Abraham & Jews), Conversation (with priests, prophets, poets & philosophers), Christ, Community (of the church) and Consummation.
The book tends towards a kind of universalism or justification by works in its final stages but has many striking insights and offers a way of inviting people to make sense of their own lives by seeing them as part of this greater story.
Like "A New Kind of Christian" it is easy to read and offers much food for thought. Some postmodernists, like Lyotard, would say that no metanarrative is possible any more but McLaren makes a good case for saying that this one is compelling enough for people to intuitively accept it.
Richard Seel.

Worth Reading
If you are struggling with the contradictions between traditional Christianity and living in the modern world this could be the book for you, whether you see yourself as a Christian, someone who is looking for faith or from a more anthropoligical persepective. The downside to the book is that in trying to weld the theology to a fictional storyline it can feel rather slow going at times.