The Secret Message of Jesus (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“Remember the parable of the wife you cuts the end off of the ham each Easter because that's how her mom did it and that's how her grandmother did it, only to learn that grandma's pan was too short?! Christianity has become like the ham, we accept what we hear and do what we do because that's all we know. This book forces you to expand your box, or if brave enough, throw away the box and allow God's truths to stand alone as we live out the example of Jesus.”

• Rated 4 stars

“So far...and I'm about half-way through....I think that McClaren has some very thought-provoking and valid things to say.

I offer my hesitant stars for this book with the condition that I have enjoyed it as a stand alone volume. I do not endorse nor agree with everything that McLaren has said nor written...but I do really like this book.

Updated once finished: Still think this is a good book. Some concepts are problematic, but I think that it has overall value on the topic of what Jesus really meant when he spoke of his Kingdom. I like books that help me think outside of my box.

I still would have to only recommend this as a stand alone volume, because there isn't a lot of other McLaren works that I have enjoyed!”

• Rated 3 stars

“I read this book sporadically so I missed the overall flow of the work. My experience of the book was more similar to hearing snippets of a fine minister’s sermon. I was intrigued by the section on Paul of Tarsus. I have always been of the opinion that Paul had the unenviable task of institutionalizing the radical message of Jesus. So I enjoyed the possibility that not only did Paul get the Jesus message right but he naturally and accurately extended it. As a faithful member of a mainline protestant denomination, I welcome the question and hopefully the subsequent vibrant discussion of “What the church should be?” Are we to spend our energy improving our elementary Sunday school program? Or feeding the poor? Or both? McLaren insistences that the “the kingdom of God” is here and now. I wonder if THAT message resonates as well with the sinful, fallen world as the “Unless you repent, you too will all perish” message. The latter has been a favorite for centuries. I prefer the former.”

• Rated 0 stars

“The Kingdom of God is Here and Now”

• Rated 0 stars

“Interesting book on the Kingdom of Christ. Again, McLaren has some ideas that deserve being heard, but there are other beliefs he has that I believe are completely wrong.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Not his best book, but Brian makes some interesting comments about the parables that have been traditionally been used to define the doctrine of hell. Worth the read just for that section of the book. ”

• Rated 0 stars

“It's not completely new thoughts. Well said. And certainly not a secret.

Perhaps to those who have not grown up in the Church, this is a great read. Because when wrapped up so much in our theologies, and debates, in being so completely salvation and not discipleship minded, that we -forget- to tell about the rest of it, we do them a disservice which this book remedies in a way only McClaren could.”