I actually found this to be much better than I expected. A thoughtful, intelligent, and overall graceful exploration of spiritual disciplines. ( )

I actually found this to be much better than I expected. A thoughtful, intelligent, and overall graceful exploration of spiritual disciplines. ( )

I actually found this to be much better than I expected. A thoughtful, intelligent, and overall graceful exploration of spiritual disciplines. ( )

Brian McLaren never ceases to be found writing or speaking on unexpected topics and showing up in unexpected places. This time, he is speaking of the ancient spiritual practices or spiritual disciplines of the ancient church.

It was in the first chapter that we hear his thesis in his usual conversational style of writing. It’s about him conducting an interview with Dr. Peter Senge (father of systems theory and author of The Fifth Discipline). Senge was saying that in any bookstore, the best selling books will be on how to get rich and the second will be on Buddhism. Why Buddhism?

Senge replied “I think it’s because Buddhism presents itself as a way of life, and Christianity presents itself as a system of belief.’ McLaren suggests that we (Christians) have to rediscover our faith as a way of life, shaped and strengthened by ancient practices (p.6). We hear how one of the earliest terms with which early followers of Jesus described themselves were that they were followers of “the Way.” This is the second one in The Ancient Practices series from Thomas Nelson publishing that I have read to aid people who are seeking a refresher course on some of the older spiritual practices of Christianity. This is the introductory guide to the series.

As a Baptist, I was disappointed in a few things about McLaren’s book theologically. McLaren seems to open the door of “spirituality” wide enough for those of all three Abrahamic faiths in for the party. Throughout the book there were ecumenical undertones in his comparison of the faiths that practice much of the same practices. While I do not quibble with the ideas that Jews as well as Christians and Muslims practice a Sabbath, I do believe that a Sabbath without God’s complete word including the divinity and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin - is really no more than an empty day off. For this theological reason, I cannot recommend McLaren’s book as primary material for those who are looking into beginning these practices. Practices without Jesus are empty, just as those who have books and do not read them are as empty as those who cannot read.I have found that I can say some positive things about McLaren’s work. “Finding Our Way Again,” seeks to promote disciples in disciplines that have been lost by quite a few in our culture. Early Christians did take the Abrahamic practices of prayer, fasting, Sabbath, common meals, pilgrimage, the observance of holidays and tithing from the people of Israel. For this reason, we do well to follow suit and ask ourselves how these practices might form us as disciples of Jesus Christ as they formed disciples from the earliest of days. ( )

With “Finding Our Way Again” we are introduced to the ancient practices of the Christian faith in typical McLaren style. He is both spiritually and intellectually thought provoking as he philosophically and theologically introduces the reader to the seven ancient spiritual practices common to the major Abrahamic traditions of faith. And while I appreciate his attempt to reconcile Christianity and other faith traditions by seeking common ground as we do need greater understanding and dialogue, Christian spiritual practices are different from that of Islamic and Jewish ones. But I suppose that’s what makes McLaren different, while most Christians look at what divide us from others, he looks at what was our common Abrahamic heritage. While this isn’t the main theme of the book, it is a thread that runs throughout. ( )