Everything Must Change.

McClaren, Brian, D. Everything Must Change. Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope. Thomas Nelson. 2007.
Comment. Henry.
It has been some time since my first reading of McClaren, it was ‘A Generous Orthodoxy”. There is nothing generous about this resource. It is very much ‘in your face’ kind of stuff. This does not endear Brian with many who feel targeted. I do not find fault with his message, however I cringe at some of his attacks on interpretations of scripture that have very much been a part of my spiritual journey. I feel badly when I interact with Brian’s uncle who is a resident in our condo complex and see the hurt that he is experiencing because he feels his nephew is into heresy. My read of this resource was a learning experience. I appreciate the challenge put before me and I don’t take my personal responsibility to truth discovered lightly.
The dysfunctions of our planet stem from, “four global crises; the prosperity crisis, the equity crisis, security crisis, and the spirituality crisis.” (5) This book is Brian’s answer to two life-long questions that he has wrestled with, “What are the world’s top problems, and what do the life and message of Jesus have to say about them?” (13) Experiences in Burundi and South Africa brought some answers to these questions.
Brian presents some helpful information about the story of postmodernism. He Book Review.
explores some identified global problems. He expounds on our “societal system machine driven by prosperity, security, and equity”. (55) These interdependent systems demand huge resources from our environment. Since these resources are limited the ‘machine’ is heading for self-destruction. “Our societies are driven by a dysfunctional framing story.” (73)
At the center of an alternative framing story is Jesus. The gospel is this alternative framing story. There are two views of this story, “the conventional view and the emerging view”. (78) Unfortunately these are contrasting and even conflicting views. In the time of Jesus the framing story was about Rome and its controlling emperors. “The Bible is the story of the partnership between God and humanity to save and transform all of human society and avert global self-destruction.” (94) Jesus focussed on the issues of the day and things relevant, not just on future salvation and eventual (heavenly) bliss. His kingdom is not OF this world but it is IN this world.
The ‘discrepancies’ in the teachings of our postmodern times are the result of conflicting interpretations of scripture. Our ‘framing story’ must change. Prosperity, security, and purpose in our global community come at too great a price. We need “the sacred ecosystem of God (which is) a transforming framing story”. (134) This requires a revisiting of scripture to get a better understanding of who Jesus really was (a volatile topic).
Brian invites his readers to the imagining of rebuilding the “three primary systems of our society (security, prosperity, equity)” (151) The cost of security is too great. The agenda of violence used to attain security must be replaced with justice attained by love.
“Theocapitalism” (192) is destroying the concept of valid prosperity. Good deeds and gratitude are Jesus’ measurement of prosperity. God’s kingdom is a kingdom of justice. “Both the poor and the rich need saving- from poverty and addictive wealth- a kind of kingdom of co-liberation.” (220)
“Systemic injustice” (238) is the cause of extreme poverty and extreme riches. Inequity is rampant. Economic reform “in trade, aid, debt, wages, justice, and community,” (257) has to happen.
When it comes to meaningful change “believing an alternative and transforming story may turn out to be the most radical thing any of us can ever do”. (270) The call to action that will result in the correct kind of change must happen at different levels; personal, community, public, and global levels. Jesus said, “Nothing will be impossible for you”, (by faith).
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