Brian McLaren & Thomas Jay Oord: a God Worthy of Love
Oct 3, 2022
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Authors and speakers Brian McLaren and Thomas Jay Oord discuss love, faith, and God, emphasizing the connection between love and God. They explore interpreting the Bible with a focus on love, promoting values like loving enemies, and advocating for LGBTQ inclusivity within religious communities.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of love in Christianity, particularly towards enemies and promoting well-being.
Challenging traditional views, the episode discusses the shift from economic dominance to ecological wisdom in spirituality.
Exploring innocence and victimhood, the podcast contrasts the misuse of innocence in justifying violence with the Christian value of forgiveness.
Deep dives
The Importance of Love in Christianity
In Christianity, the centrality of love and its expression towards all aspects of creation is emphasized. The deep connection between love and the concept of God as seen through various religious traditions is explored. The podcast delves into how love for the enemy is a non-negotiable aspect within Christianity, transcending cultural notions of love. The discussion touches on the significance of promoting overall well-being, flourishing, and abundance in life, aligning with the core message of love in the Christian tradition.
Challenging Traditional Views of God and Religion
The episode challenges traditional views of God and organized religion, questioning the frameworks that have reduced spirituality to control and power dynamics. Embracing a postmodern approach, the conversation revolves around reevaluating Enlightenment ideologies and acknowledging the influence of economic factors on human shaping. The need to shift from economic dominance to ecological wisdom and a deeper, interconnected understanding of the world and spirituality is highlighted.
Exploring the Cult of Innocence and Victimhood
The podcast addresses the significance of innocence and victimhood in religious narratives and cultural contexts. It examines the concept of using victims for political unity and revenge, contrasting it with the Christian message of forgiveness and love. The discussion delves into the misuse of innocence, like how innocent symbols are manipulated to justify violent actions or extreme behaviors. The exploration of innocence as a tool for separation or solidarity in religious and societal contexts prompts reflection on identity and collective responsibility.
Community and Compassion over Individualism
The podcast episode delves into the importance of belonging to a community that strives to improve the world, contrasting it with the pitfalls of self-reliance and societal conformity. The speaker emphasizes the reality that no one is blameless and that not all forms of Christianity or religious institutions are ideal. Acknowledging flaws within communities and religions, the focus shifts towards advocating for a life centered on love, solidarity, and making positive contributions.
Challenging Religious Power Dynamics and Interpretations
The podcast explores the historical and contemporary dynamics of power within religious communities, especially concerning interpretations of scripture and authority figures. It discusses how disagreements and differing interpretations can lead to conflicts and institutional divisions. The conversation highlights the significant role of questioning traditional beliefs and exercising individual agency within religious structures to address injustice and promote inclusivity. The notion of maintaining fidelity to one's beliefs despite institutional pushback is presented as a form of resistance and a stance for justice and compassion.
What a treat! I was joined by both Tom Oord and Brian McLaren for this wonderful live stream.
FYI, SacraSage Press recently published a 200+ page book with chapter samples from Tom’s best-selling books. Anyone who joins his newsletter will get a complimentary ecopy.
“Power and the God of Love” is an in-person conference in Napa, California featuring open, relational, and process people (including Tripp). The conference is November 4-5, 2022, and here’s a link with info.
Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. He is an award-winning author, and he has written or edited more than twenty-five books. Oord directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He won the Outstanding Faculty Award twelve times as a full-time professor and now speaks at institutions across the globe. Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, and freedom and relationships for transformation.
