Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope
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What do the life and teaching of Jesus have to say about the most critical global problems in our world today? McLaren asks, “Shouldn’t a message purporting to be the best news in the world be doing better than this?” What he sets forth in this provocative, unsettling work is a “form of Christian faith that is holistic, integral, balanced, that offers good news for both the living and the dying, that speaks of God’s grace at work both in this life and the life to come, both to individuals and to societies and the planet as a whole.” Publishers Weekly McLaren, a leader in the emerging church, issues a salvo of arguments for "radical hope" in the face of profound dilemmas. The prolific author and pastor identifies the earth's "four deep dysfunctions" that have created a "suicide machine": crises in prosperity, equity, security and spirituality. "What could change," he asks, "if we applied the message of Jesus-the good news of the kingdom of God-to the world's greatest problems?" Here McLaren builds on the theme of his 2006 book The Secret Message of Jesus-that bringing about the kingdom means transforming the world we live in-to propose that we create a "hope insurgency." Using a close reading of the Gospels to challenge conservative evangelicals' emphasis on individual salvation, not to mention end-times theology and, by implication, the prosperity gospel, McLaren argues for establishing a "beloved community" based on justice, peace, equality and compassion. McLaren's conclusions are not new, but his ability to be clear and persuasive-and get the attention of a segment of America's Christians-are exceptional. While his critics will find yet more material for challenging McLaren's views, his supporters will consider this book a riveting call to a new conversion. (Oct. 2)Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Acknowledgments VHope Happens 1Two Preoccupying QuestionsThe Amahoro Flowing Between Us 11Everything Must Change 18Not What Jesus Intended 25Second Thoughts Had Come to Stay 32Suicidal SystemSimmering on the Back Burner of My Mind 43Three Interlocking Systems 52That Could Never Happen to Us 59The Stories We Tell Ourselves 65Reframing JesusHow Much More Ironic 77Switching Jigsaw Lids 87No Junk DNA 93Jamming the Accelerator, Slamming the Brakes 101Or So It Appeared 109Reintroducing JesusPeace Through Domination 119Occupying Regime, Equity Gap, Excrement Factory 128How Different It Would Be 134Which Jesus? 141The Security SystemJoining the Peace Insurgency 151Whose Side Are We On? 161Layers and Layers More 170Joining Warriors Anonymous 176The Prosperity SystemCapitalism as God 189Obligations to Nonexistent Future People 200Quick Bliss Through Footwear,Palate Grease, and Skin Paint 206Collaboration for Co-liberation 216The Equity SystemOn the Side of the Rebel Jesus 227Beyond Blame and Shame 237A New Kind of Question 248Organized Religion or Religion Organizing for the Common Good? 256A Revolution of HopeThe Most Radical Thing We Can Do 269An Unfolding, Emergent, Spiraling Process 275Exposing the Covert Curriculum 283Moving Mountains 294Notes 302
