Finding Faith in a Changing World: A Conversation with Brian McLaren
We (Larissa and Kim) had the absolute privilege of interviewing Brian McLaren. As many of you know, Brian is a well-known spiritual influencer who has made significant contributions to the world of faith and spirituality. In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with him to discuss his life's work, including his four stages of faith development.We dive deep into who Brian is as a person, his books, and his passion for creating a new kind of Christianity that is inclusive, compassionate, and committed to social justice.
They Discuss:
Faith vs. Certainty
Theology of Change
Criticism
The Four Stages of Faith Development
How Brian Played a Role in Larissa and Kim's Coming Out Story
Shaping the Future of Church
Mental Health in the Church
The Four Stages of Faith Development:
The Four Stages of Faith Development that Brian described (after briefly talking about a few of the other models/descriptions that other theologians, psychologists, etc., have put forth) are:
Simplicity — You're either for us or against us. It's all or nothing.
Complexity — There's more than one way to do things.
Perplexity — Everyone has an opinion. Who knows who is right?
Harmony/Humility — Seek first God's Kingdom… love God, love neighbors… in essentials unity… focus on a few grand essentials.
About Brian:
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest books are Faith After Doubt (January 2021), and Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022).
Connect With Brian: www.brianmclaren.net
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While you’re here, why not check out Kim’s book?
But Your Mother Loves You is the witty and candid tale of how a renowned psychotherapist moved from “not good enough” to “the right person” despite childhood neglect and a toxic relationship with her mother.
Everyone knows at least one person who demonstrates toxic love, someone who consistently jabs a straw in others and sucks the life right out of them. Without an in-depth understanding of how to navigate these relationships, most people continue to emotionally regress and remain paralyzed in familiar, pain-soaked patterns. But Your Mother Loves You helps readers overcome this cycle of toxicity.
Kim Honeycutt shares the real-life experience of how a shame-based, self-destructive little girl grew up to be a recovered alcoholic, entered the world of psychology as a professional, and created her own strategies to address and conquer toxicity.
This story, both witty and practical, is told through the lens of personal life experience and expert psychological strategies combined with Godly intervention. Readers learn how to either walk away from or walk with a toxic loved one without losing themselves. Covered in both vulnerability and clinical information, But Your Mother Loves You provides a step-by-step approach on how to stop toxic love and the subsequent self-abuse.