What about other websites?

Hello there, my name is XXX. I consider myself to be a Christian, and I am a fan of Pastor McLaren's writings. That is why I'd like to get his opinion on a website that I have been looking at recently. I know that Pastor McLaren is very busy, but I'd like to get his opinon about the website and if it goes against any ideals of Christianity.

The webpage is found at YYY and is the home page of a Austrailian theology professor named ZZXZ. Now, I realize that Mr. ZZZ is entited to his own opnions about Christ. But I must admit I am troubled by some of the ideas this apparent Catholic appears to bring up. For example, in the section of his website entitiled "History of the Christian church & ecclesiology", he appears to separate the Jesus of history and the Jesus of myth, and doesn't appear to support that Jesus was divine. Also, in the section of his website "Values and Beliefs: Ethics and Religious Pluralism", Mr. ZZZ appears to support pluralism as the only logical method of viewing other religions. Also, he appears to be a fan of the radical theologian John Hick, who among other things denies the phyiscal ressurection of Christ. While I do support the idea that people of non-Christian faiths can go to heaven, I don't want to have to give up parts of my own religion to do so.

Again, I am not trying to slander Mr. ZZZ's name. He has every right to his opinion. Its just that he seems to be implying that the basic doctirines of Christianity are not valid in this day and age. I may be wrong about this, so that is why I would like Pastor McLaren to look at the website and give his opinion about it. And if for some reason he is not available, then maybe the person who recieved this e-mail can look at this website, because I feel that it has not been looked at very much. And also, could someone please notify me if Pastor McLaren can be able to evaluate the website, because I want to make sure that the e-mail was recieved.

I guess the fact is that whenever I see someone like Mr. ZZZ write articles about religion that goes against the basic understandings of Christainity, I feel like my beliefs don't matter. I really enjoy believing in Christ, and I want to make sure I can keep it even after I read articles that try to disprove his godhood. So I guess I want reassurance that Mr. ZZZ may not have ALL of the answers. So, if Pastor McLaren is available to review the website, I would be grateful and apperciate of this service he is doing for me. If not, well, then I certainly understand his busy schedule, and would at least like an anknowledgement that my e-mail was recieved, and also for the reciever of this e-mail to check out the website so that he could understand what I've been talking about. Thank you all very much, and God bless you all.

Thanks for your question, which I like very much in its tone and content. I have not had time to check out the website you recommend, but I wanted to offer a brief response, even though I can’t help with specifics about the site and person you mentioned.

We have two unacceptable alternatives when it comes to the Bible: a literalistic reading which says it takes the Bible seriously, but often explores the Bible without broad and deep scholarship, and a critical reading which tries to demythologize the Bible and claims to nullify large parts of it with scholarship. Both approaches have strengths, but both have weaknesses – among them, a reductionist tendency which doesn’t respect the purpose, genre, and intent of the Biblical text. Dr. Z probably falls in the latter category. If you’re looking for a more balanced approach to the Bible, I would recommend the work of Walter Brueggemann or Craig Smith (especially “In God’s Time”). Both take scholarship seriously, but yet they retain a sense of mystery and wonder and reverence with the Biblical text, and they don’t reduce it in the way both “liberal” and “fundamental” approaches often seem to me to do.

When it comes to scholarship (especially that found on the internet!), just remember that almost anybody can say almost anything and find some people who think he’s right, and others who don’t. Scholarship is important, but I would encourage you not to lightly give up a belief when you’ve only heard one argument against it. First, hear responsible counter-arguments so you can see what others are saying. I hope that’s helpful.

While I have high regard for the “search for the historical Jesus” (especially the work of scholars like N. T. Wright and Marcus Borg, who dialogue about their differences in a responsible and charitable way), much Jesus scholarship (so-called) seems to trim Jesus down to the size of the assumptions of those doing the research.