Book SummaryDo I Stay Christian?, by Brian D. McLaren

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Do I Stay Christian?

Christianity's history is characterized by institutional barriers and detrimental deeds.

The historical record clearly documents the severe manner in which Christianity has treated Judaism, from which it originated.

Christianity rapidly established a stance of antagonism towards Judaism, leading to extended eras of conflict and considerable wrongs committed against the Jewish people.

McLaren points out a troubling paradox: a belief system that was initially guided by Jewish principles and exclusively composed of Jewish followers soon transformed into an institution marked by anti-Jewish biases not long after its inception. Prominent Christian personalities, starting with the writer of the Fourth Gospel and followed by Tertullian, Origen, Chrysostom, Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine, composed works that portrayed Jews unfavorably, thereby laying the groundwork for future acts of persecution.

McLaren argues that expressions of anti-Semitism went further than just verbal utterances. He underscores that during the era of the historical Plague, the Jewish community was wrongfully accused of causing the anxieties and hardships experienced by Christians, leading to vicious pogroms and numerous fatalities. On February 14th, 1349, the city council, motivated by fear of the plague and economic reasons, put to death by burning two thousand individuals of Jewish faith who refused to renounce their religious convictions. McLaren challenges the common assumption that the split from the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation eradicated anti-Semitism. He cites Martin Luther's own writings, which were filled with hateful rhetoric against Jews, calling for the destruction of their homes and synagogues and even advocating violence against them. Unfortunately, McLaren observes that the Holocaust, executed by the Nazis, represents the horrific peak of the long-standing prejudice against Jews embedded in Christian thought.

Context

• As Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, it sought to establish a distinct identity, often positioning itself in opposition to Judaism, which was seen as a rival religious community.
• Misinterpretations of Jewish customs and religious practices by early Christians sometimes led to negative stereotypes and unfounded accusations.
• The Crusades, beginning in the 11th century, saw widespread massacres of Jewish communities in Europe, as Crusaders often attacked Jewish settlements on their way to the Holy Land.
• The Black Death, or Bubonic Plague, swept through Europe between 1347 and 1351, killing an estimated one-third of the population. The disease was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, transmitted through fleas that infested rats.
• Local and regional authorities sometimes sanctioned or turned a blind eye to pogroms, either due to shared prejudices or as a means to divert public anger away from themselves.
• Economic factors often played a role in the persecution of Jews, as debts owed to Jewish moneylenders could be erased if the Jewish community was expelled or destroyed.
• The persistence of anti-Semitic attitudes post-Reformation contributed to a historical trajectory that included events like the pogroms and the Holocaust. Understanding this continuity is crucial for recognizing the long-term impact of religious and cultural prejudices.
• Over time, Luther became frustrated by the lack of Jewish conversion to Christianity. This frustration contributed to his later, more vitriolic writings against Jews.
• While the Enlightenment brought ideas of tolerance and human rights, it also saw the rise of racial anti-Semitism, which shifted the focus from religious to ethnic discrimination against Jews.

Christianity's past is marked by a tendency to suppress dissenting opinions and cause suffering to its followers.

Leaders of the Christian religion often used harsh measures like imprisonment and execution to control and punish individuals who challenged or strayed from the established norms of Christianity.

McLaren argues that the concept of a domain ruled by Christians, inherently fraught with conflict, failed to offer a safe haven, especially for those who disagreed. Brian D. McLaren notes that the term "heretic," historically applied to individuals deviating from accepted norms, has evolved into a powerful instrument for oppressing and controlling those who question established practices. In his quest to strengthen his imperial dominance, Constantine established a perilous precedent by mandating the incineration of all works authored by Arius, a prominent dissenter of that era. The command to execute individuals found with Arius' texts sparked widespread consternation. Unfortunately, this era signified the beginning of a prolonged phase during which Christians engaged in violent acts towards each other, often with the support of religious authorities.

Context

• The historical use of coercion in religious contexts has influenced contemporary discussions about the separation of church and state, religious freedom, and the role of religion in public life.
• Today, the term is less about religious orthodoxy and more about challenging any dominant ideology, though it still carries a negative connotation in some contexts.
• In 325 AD, Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea to address the Arian controversy. The council resulted in the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father, effectively condemning Arianism as heretical.
• Despite the condemnation, Arianism continued to influence various groups and regions, particularly among some Germanic tribes, illustrating the persistent nature of theological disputes in early Christianity.
• During the late medieval and early modern periods, witch hunts were often sanctioned by religious authorities, targeting individuals, mostly women, who were accused of heresy or witchcraft, reflecting...

Do I Stay Christian? Summary Theological and intellectual challenges facing Christianity

Damaging theological beliefs have become deeply rooted throughout the historical journey of Christianity.

The traditional theological structures of Christianity, which are rooted in a fixed, binary view of the cosmos, fall short when it comes to engaging with contemporary issues.

McLaren examines how a dualistic perspective hinders Christianity's capacity to evolve with contemporary truths. He argues that Christianity persists in an outdated mindset, consistently dividing life's elements into binary oppositions like fleeting versus everlasting, tangible versus intangible, and worldly versus holy. McLaren contends that such a binary perspective hinders genuine interaction with emerging scientific findings and the progression of societal norms. Christianity is akin to a ship that longs to sail the open seas but is held back by its own inherent assumptions.

McLaren challenges the notion that the purest or most exemplary manifestation of Christianity necessarily originates from its initial or simplest state, arguing that evolution and development are fundamental aspects of the cosmos. Christianity's potential for further evolution is hindered by the belief in an...

Do I Stay Christian? Summary The author wrestles with the choice of either upholding his Christian faith or leaving it behind.

The author contends with the difficulties and flaws inherent in the Christian faith.

The author presents personal stories and reflections on the complexities and dilemmas faced when continuing to embrace Christian faith after reflecting on the issues explored in the initial section of the book.

McLaren begins with a poignant narrative about Seth, a young minister who embodies the ideals that McLaren advocates. The decision to depart from Christianity is made particularly difficult by people such as Seth, according to McLaren. Abandoning these individuals precisely when they stand on the brink of shaping a fresh manifestation of Christian faith feels like admitting failure at the very moment when change seems within reach.

McLaren discloses that the intensity of this internal struggle is heightened by a feeling of obligation. He views leaving as surrendering to those who create the present chaos, letting them dictate the potentially dangerous direction of Christianity's future. The inquiry "Do I continue to embrace Christianity?" is inextricably linked with considerations of moral uprightness, optimism, and despondency.

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Do I Stay Christian? Summary Investigating methods to refresh and propel forward the expression of Christian convictions.

The urgent need to infuse new life into the Christian faith by forging a stronger connection with the natural world.

Christianity can evolve beyond its often nature-contradictory inclinations by adopting a spirituality that is both all-encompassing and attuned to the well-being of the Earth.

McLaren champions a rejuvenation of Christian faith, underscoring that our fixation on spoken articulation has diverted us from the innate wisdom found in nature, which was present before the advent of language and is fated to persist after its cessation. He contends that immersing ourselves in the wildness of nature can free us from excessive dependence on structured doctrines, encouraging a reassessment of our core convictions and leading to a broader understanding of existence. McLaren elucidates that this re-wilding process entails uncovering the innate wildness within ourselves. Our physical forms should be embraced not as cages that restrict our souls or wellsprings of vice, but as integral components of the intricate web of existence that enhance our deep connection to the world around us.

McLaren gleans wisdom from historical and contemporary intellectuals like St....