That was a great review Andrew. It is a wonderful book and I think it really could change everything. McLaren seems to write to a group of people who are just now opening up to deeper understandings of scripture. His message is tactful and gentle. I think people are listening. His timing is right. Change is coming.

The most important points I draw from the book are:

A) The kingdom of God is not another place as the Evangelicals have suggested

B) The kingdom of God is not and inevitable supernatural rebuilding of the Earth as people like Tom Wright suggest

C) The kingdom of God IS a real transformation of our lives, communities, and political structures in line with the vision of Jesus. It is a possibility but not an predestined inevitable outcome.

Supernatural views of the kingdom lead to stagnant waiting on a divine solution. Understanding the kingdom as a viable possiblity could lead to real action. McLaren recognizes that in order for action to happen, we must reposition our theology to create a fertile ground for action. It may be that people continue to believe in a strictly theistic God, but unless they realize God isn’t going to solve our problems for us supernaturally, we will never act. Ancient worldviews and medieval doctrines are creating apathy and lethargy in the modern world. Brian is gently nudging Evangelicals to reconsider their understanding and giving them good reasons to change. Unlike secular liberalism, McLaren also shows how the Bible stands up to modern scholarship and holds its value in the absence of ancient worldviews and medieval doctrines. In fact, the Bible’s stories come to life when we stop guarding them from further investigation.