Podcast appearances and mentions of brian mcclaren

Faith in Transition: A Journey from Deconstruction to Reconstruction **Doug Scott, LCSW, holds dual master's degrees in Social Work and Pastoral Ministry from Boston College (2004). As a psychospiritual therapist with over two decades of experience, Doug brings a unique integration of psychological insight and spiritual depth to his work. His private counseling practice reflects an approach influenced by contemplative thinkers and progressive theologians including Richard Rohr OFM, Brian McClaren, Cynthia Bourgeault, and Ilia Delio OSF, while drawing inspiration from the mystical tradition of St. Francis of Assisi and the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. Mentioned in the talk by Doug is Dr. Matt Segall, PhD (https://footnotes2plato.com). Summary of Major Themes 1. Understanding Deconstruction and Reconstruction Doug Scott frames faith deconstruction as a necessary and "holy" process that many people are experiencing in response to the disconnect between their understanding of Christianity's core teachings (love, inclusion, vulnerability) and its current manifestations in American society (particularly Christian nationalism). He emphasizes that staying permanently in deconstruction can lead to existential anxiety and nihilism, and that reconstruction is the essential next step in the spiritual journey. The presenter uses the metaphor of "death, tomb, and resurrection" to illustrate this process: - Deconstruction = death of old beliefs - Tomb time = period of uncertainty and transformation - Reconstruction = resurrection into a new understanding Scott proposes that we need to "midwife the death of the old while midwifing the birth of something new," a concept he attributes to Mirabai Starr, a colleague of Richard Rohr. 2. Levels of Consciousness and Development A central framework of the talk is the developmental model of consciousness that Scott presents, which includes several stages: - **Pre-traditional Warrior Consciousness**: Focused on survival, tribal identity, power-based structures, magical thinking, and immediate gratification. - **Traditional Values Level**: Emphasizes order, hierarchy, absolute truths, moral certainty, conformity, and clear distinctions between right and wrong. Scott describes this as the "happy blues" (referencing Spiral Dynamics) because people at this level have certainty about their beliefs. - **Modernity**: Born from the scientific revolution and Enlightenment, this level rejects suffering for future rewards in favor of creating "heaven now" through technology and science. - **Postmodernity**: Emerges with a critique of all previous levels, recognizing that "truth" often comes at the cost of marginalizing others. This level emphasizes social justice but tends to deconstruct without offering reconstruction. - **Post-postmodernity/Integral/Metamodern**: Characterized by "include it all and thus transcend" rather than "transcend and exclude." This level integrates multiple ways of knowing, recognizes developmental stages, embraces paradox and complexity, and finds comfort in uncertainty. 3. Current Cultural Dynamics and "Conversions" Scott discusses the phenomenon of people who were formerly progressive suddenly embracing far-right ideologies or rigid religious structures. He attributes this to: - Existential anxiety generated by postmodern deconstruction without reconstruction - The appeal of certainty and community offered by traditional structures - The "hermeneutic of suspicion" taken to an extreme, where everything becomes suspect He argues that many current "conversions" are not based on authentic faith but are adopting a "mimetic Christianity" as a "social technology" that provides dopamine hits and community belonging without true spiritual transformation. 4. The Path Forward: Finding Common Ground Through Values The talk concludes with a practical exercise where participants identify core values they hope would be recognized at their funeral. Scott proposes that: - Our unacknowledged values form the lens through which we judge ourselves and others - Anger often stems from perceiving that others are violating these core values - By articulating our values and the behaviors that embody them, we can find common ground beneath the divisive surface - True spiritual leaders must be able to "hold tension" and become comfortable with uncertainty - The way forward involves connecting with others around fundamental shared values rather than political differences 5. Embodied Christianity vs. Power Structures Throughout the talk, Scott contrasts true Christianity (centered on love, vulnerability, and connection) with its distortions into power structures. He emphasizes: - The cross represents God's vulnerability, not power - Christianity should be about relationship and love, not control - The "sin" is furthering the ethos of separation rather than unity - We must be willing to engage with those we disagree with (referencing his own Catholic practice of saying "peace be with you" to those with whom he politically disagrees) 6. Hope for the Future Despite the current polarization, Scott expresses optimism about what lies beneath the "rigid crust" of modern discourse. He notes: - Younger generations often display unexpected wisdom and maturity - Beneath the rigid surface of polarized positions, many people experience doubts and questions - There is a growing capacity for connection if we can access it - Progress is happening despite appearances to the contrary The talk ultimately frames the current cultural moment as an opportunity for authentic spiritual growth if we can embrace vulnerability, articulate our core values, and connect with others at a deeper level beyond ideological divisions.

 Peterson Toscano (he/him) and Miche McCall (they/them) look at how Quaker meetings align their financial practices with their values. The episode features Joann Neuroth sharing how Red Cedar Meeting in Lansing, Michigan, has shifted its financial priorities to work towards racial justice. Alicia Mendonca-Richards discusses how Quakers can embrace mystical knowledge to rethink our economy. You will also hear Brian McLaren from an excerpt of Climate Changed, a podcast by The BTS Center. He considers how to maintain a vibrant life while navigating unavoidable losses and significant uncertainties.  Moving From Hand Wringing to Agency: A Quaker Meeting Uses Money as a Vehicle for Action Joann Neuroth highlights how Quaker meetings can make financial decisions that align with their values. She emphasizes thoughtful stewardship, intentional action, and the potential to contribute to community well-being by using financial resources to address injustice and meet community needs. Red Cedar Meeting moved its long-term maintenance fund to Liberty Bank, a Black-owned bank in Detroit, to support Black communities. It makes annual payments to The Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan as reparations, acknowledging that these resources belong to those harmed by slavery, segregation, and white supremacy. Red Cedar Meeting also created a tiny pantry to provide free food to the community. This project began with a few members bringing extra groceries and grew to distribute approximately $11,000 worth of food annually. Joann Neuroth wrote the article “Putting Our Money Where Our Hearts Are.” It appears in the January 2025 issue of FriendsJournal.org. Joann is a member of Red Cedar Meeting in Lansing, Mich. She has served on the boards of American Friends Service Committee and the School of the Spirit Ministry, where she will co-teach an upcoming spiritual nurture class, "God's Promise Fulfilled: Encountering and Embodying Grace in the Shadow of Empire”. How Quakers Can Rethink the Economy Alicia Mendonca-Richards shares her insights on how Quakers can rethink the economy. She argues that the current system, based on unsustainable growth and competition, distracts from what truly matters. Mendonca-Richards connects economic thought and mysticism, suggesting that mystical knowledge can be a foundation for courageous action and alternative economic models. The full video featuring Alicia Mendonca-Richards and other QuakerSpeak videos can be found on the QuakerSpeak YouTube channel or at Quakerspeak.com.  Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart by Brian McLaren. In Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, Brian McLaren explores the anxieties and uncertainties many people feel about the future of our planet and civilization. He acknowledges the serious challenges we face, including climate change, social and political divisions, and the decline of traditional institutions. However, instead of dwelling on despair, McLaren focuses on finding meaning and purpose in the face of these challenges. Audio with Brian McLaren comes from The BTS Center's podcast, Climate Changed, which offers intimate interviews and conversations around some of the most pressing questions about faith, life, and climate change. Thank you, BTS Center! Read Pamela Haines's Friends Journal review. Read more Friends Journal book reviews. Answers for this month: In last month's episode, we asked: What are some unexpected ways you find yourself drawn to repair? Thank you to Callie, Lena, Erin, Micah, Maggie, and Joann for answering!  Question for next month: What is your relationship with nature like? Leave a voice memo or text with your name and the town where you live at +1 317-782-5377. You can also comment on our social media channels or send an email to podcast@friendsjournal.org. Quakers Today is the companion podcast to Friends Journal and other Friends Publishing Corporation (FPC) content online. It is written, hosted, and produced by Peterson Toscano and Miche McCall. Season Four of Quakers Today is sponsored by American Friends Service Committee and Friends Fiduciary. American Friends Service Committee: Vulnerable communities and the planet are counting on Quakers to take action for a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. The American Friends Service Committee, or AFSC, works at the forefront of many social change movements to meet urgent humanitarian needs, challenge injustice, and build peace. Find out more about how you can get involved in their programs to protect migrant communities, establish an enduring peace in Palestine, de-militarize police forces worldwide, assert the right to food for all, and more. Visit AFSC.ORG. Friends Fiduciary: Since 1898, Friends Fiduciary has provided values-aligned investment services for fellow Quaker organizations.  Friends Fiduciary consistently achieves strong financial returns while witnessing to Quaker testimonies. They also help individuals support organizations they hold dear through giving strategies, including donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, and stock gifts. Learn more about FFC's services at FriendsFiduciary.org. Feel free to email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org with​​ comments, questions, and requests for our show. Music from this episode comes from Epidemic Sound. Follow Quakers Today on TikTok, Instagram, X, and visit us at QuakersToday.org.

This week we try to understand the elections in France and Iran; the horror of the Ukrainian war;  Californian Democrats claim making purchasing children for sex a felony is anti LGBTQ!  The Trans Eunuchs;  12 year old investigated by terrorism unit for saying there are only two genders; Brian McClaren v Michael Shellenberg on Climate Change; Italy's Volcanoes;  Green MP opposes wind pylons; the fall of Candace Owens; the Rise of English Football;  Church of England Synod authorises same sex blessings;  John Lennox; SEEK 42 - God, Humanity and Angels; and for a change all our songs are cheerful - including Paolo Nutini, Leonard Cohen, yo Yo Ma Bach, the Proclaimers, T-Rex, and the Mississippi Mass Choir

I'm excited to announce that tickets for Theology Beer Camp are now on sale! This year, we'll be hanging out October 17th to 19th in Denver, Colorado. Grab your calendar and save the dates to join 20+ scholars, 20+ God-Pods, and over 500 people like yourself. As always, this year promises to be filled with enlightening discussions, delicious brews, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded theology enthusiasts. This year's confirmed keynote speakers include Ilia Delio, Brian McClaren, John Thatamanil, and Diana Butler Bass!! We will be announcing more speakers, podcasters, musicians, and more over the next few months, including several exciting additions to the camp expereince. To learn more about the event, our lineup of speakers, and what's in store for you at Theology Beer Camp, check out the event website at theologybeer.camp. We will keep updating the site as we reveal more details and contributors. I love Theology Beer Camp and spend all year planning and thinking about how to level up the fun each year. My favorite part is getting to meet so many of you in person. Take advantage of this certified zesty opportunity to dive deep into theological nerdom while enjoying tasty beverages and building lifelong connections with other great nerds! Presale tickets end soon! Get your tickets today. WATCH the video of this episode here. JOIN our next class, GOD AFTER DECONSTRUCTION with Thomas Jay Oord Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Swami Padmanabha and Brian McClaren as they explore insights from their own traditions and experiences as to how to keep religious traditions alive and the joyful relief that arises from honestly acknowledging how we no longer represent the heart of the tradition and responsibly address, individually and communally, how to correct the course. https://brianmclaren.net/ ▶ WATCH ON FACEBOOK ▶ WATCH ON YOUTUBE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook. ▶ FOR MORE INFO: SwamiPadmanabha.com

As we have seen yet again in another horrific mass shooting, we as a people need to have a confrontation with self – confront our malevolent viewpoints and malignant ideologies.  We need to confront the sin of white supremacy, racism, and hatred, and move into a new place, live into a new story, a new understanding of God's love for this world.  When talking about such confrontation, Richard Rohr writes: Every viewpoint is a view from a point. Unless we recognize and admit our own personal and cultural viewpoints, we will never know how to decentralize our own perspective. We will live with a high degree of illusion and blindness that brings much suffering into the world. [As we work to recognize this,] the love of God is the source of all truth. Only an outer and positive reference point utterly grounds the mind and heart. People with a distorted image of self, world, or God will be largely incapable of experiencing what is really real in the world. They will see things through a narrow keyhole. They'll see instead what they need reality to be, what they're afraid it is, or what they're angry about. They'll see everything through their aggressiveness, their fear, or their agenda. In other words, they won't see it at all.   Rohr aptly describes not only our present context, but also the early church as it was called to move beyond certain boundaries, beyond personal, cultural, and traditional religious viewpoints, and learn to love beyond those boundaries and narrow understandings. Today's readings communicate this as we continue to learn what it means to be inclusive and love others beyond boundaries of cultic religious traditions and ideologies. They teach us what it means to truly be the body of Christ in this world. In today's first reading from Acts, we come face to face with a confrontation of cultic religious thought. The Jewish people considered all Gentiles unclean and thought the idea of sharing an intimate dinner around a kitchen table in a pagan home was off bounds. Peter had struggled with this and then one afternoon, while praying, he had a vision.  He saw a sheet filled with animals repulsive to any Jew – reptiles and pigs for instance. And God said, “Peter, fire up the grill and eat.” Peter responded, “No way, Lord, for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” But the Lord said, “What God makes clean you must not call profane.” Then, at that very moment three men asked Peter to come with them to the Roman centurion Cornelius's house. And the Spirit spoke to Peter telling him not to make a distinction between them and us. So, Peter went to see Cornelius, accepted his hospitality, started to preach about the crucified Messiah who is Lord, and suddenly the Spirit descended on Cornelius just as the Spirit had on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.  Peter's vision had moved him beyond traditional Jewish religious boundaries. Then, when his fellow Jewish believers demand an explanation for his actions, Peter points to God. Peter says, “If then God gave them [the Gentiles] the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?”  God made it crystal clear that Jesus' community on earth is to reflect the fact that, in Jesus, the dividing wall between peoples, nations, classes, races, and genders has been torn down!  The church is to invite all people to share this life in Christ. God invites everyone so God can transform everyone with healing love. The community of believers is called to be a community of inclusive, sacrificial love.  Today's gospel reading is also about inclusive, sacrificial love. Jesus is about to die, and he speaks these words to his disciples: “Love one another. I give you a new commandment:  Love one another.”  Now, most of us have always heard these words as a form of the Golden Rule. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Words to live by. Right?  Frankly, these are words Jesus, a Jewish man, would have been very familiar with.  In fact, these are words Jews, Muslims and indeed people of all sorts of faith traditions hold as sacred. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Do onto others as you would have them do unto you and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  However, the words of the Golden Rule are not the words that appear here in the Gospel according to John. In today's reading, Jesus adds a new twist when he says, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another, just as I have loved you.” Now, that's some twist: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Harder words were never spoken. These words Jesus shares with us are not a suggestion. They are a command, to love all others as he loves. And, quite frankly, who among us can love as Jesus loved? Jesus' idea of loving is hard-edged, it is infinitely tender, and it is nearly impossible. These words haunt me. When I think about loving as Jesus loves, I begin to second-guess my ability to love.  Love is not simple. This kind of love is not easy.  Today, the words Jesus speaks to his disciples are some of the last words he shares with them and us as he gives us a command to love as he loves.  He says if you are my disciples you will stand in a different place, stand in a different state of being, stand in a different energy.  He says, you will stand in the place of love for all others, because you are to love as I love.  You will do this because God is love. When talking about this passage, Father Richard Rohr says that love is not what as much as how!  If you do not live love for all others, God is simply an abstraction in your life.  If you do not live love for all others, God is simply a theory in your mind.  Living the love that Jesus showed and lived is what brings healing and wholeness to our lives, our communities, our society and our world.  The command to love as Jesus loves is clear and simple.  We are to love all people, no exceptions.  This kind of love is not easy, and you cannot depend on feelings if you are going to love as Jesus loves.  Like forgiveness – love is a decision of your mind and heart.  Love is a choice.  When you are not living this kind of love, not living in love for all people, you will use any excuse to be unhappy, angry, and hateful.  Quite honestly, such negative feelings, actions, behaviors, attitudes and attributes cannot coexist in the mind and heart of someone who has made the decision to love as Jesus loves.  They cannot coexist because living in the love of Jesus means you are standing in a different space, a different state, a different energy, a different reality.  It means you are consciously aware that you are living in the reality and presence of the loving, living Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as Jesus gives this command to love even as he loves we must look at what his love looks like.  His is a love that surrenders itself to God's holy dream to love all people, this entire world, to love and care for all of creation, to love the entire cosmos. His love surrenders itself to God's holy dream to love the world into life, even to the point of giving his own life.  Jesus' love glorifies God's purpose and mercy, and this is the love he commands us to live.  So, what does this love look like in our very lives? I love the way Brian McClaren talks about love in his book, Corey & the Seventh Story.  He writes that we, as people, seem to continually live the same six old stories over and over again, the same old six stories that seem to be running the show.  Those six stories are:  The story of power to dominate, The story of striking back with fury and hate, The story of running to find a safe place, Or pointing at others to shame and disgrace, Or being stuck in self-pity for the pain we've been through, Or of me having more shiny objects than you.   These same six old stories steal freedom and laughter, So, nobody lives happily ever after.  But….   There's a new Seventh Story to live by, my friends,   A new Seventh Story without “us against them”— Of working for fairness in all that we do, Of refusing to strike back when others strike you, Of facing our problems and not running to hide, Of not letting differences make us divide, Of turning our pain into compassion for others, Of not wanting more than our sisters and brothers.   The new Seventh Story that I'm speaking of Is the story of peace, it's the story of love.   Jesus spoke to those early disciples, and he speaks to each one of us saying, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” That is our new story. May we live in the reality of such love!

Bible apologetics expert , Sandy Simpson, digs into the occultic practices that have been entering the church in last three decades. In this podcast, he discusses four different articles he has written about the most prominent, early proponents of the Emergent Church. These articles are: "Ding Dong, Ding Dong, Wake up Leonard Sweet" , "Satan, the First Post-Modernist" , "The Emergent Church and Their Use of Diaprax" , and "Brian McClaren and His Use of Diaprax". This audio includes sound clips from Leonard Sweet and others.

We discuss the book "The Secret Message of Jesus" with author Brian McClaren in this 2007 interview from the archives.

Tony and Shane interview pastor and author Brian McLaren to discuss climate change, current events, and Brian's book, "The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey".

Check out Steve’s website to see his books and other work, and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Books and Authors to check out…Brian McClaren: https://brianmclaren.net(The Last Word and the Word After That, The Great Spiritual Migration)Richard Rohr: https://cac.org/richard-rohr/richard-rohr-ofm/(The Universal Christ, The Naked Now, Everything Belongs)Rob Bell: https://robbell.com(Everything is Spiritual, Love Wins)Greg Boyd: https://reknew.org/about/greg-boyd/(Inspired Imperfection, God of the Possible)Rachel Held Evans: https://rachelheldevans.com(Inspired, Evolving in Monkey Town)Jen Hatmaker: https://jenhatmaker.com(For the Love, Of Mess and Moxie)Order your favorite wines and spirits from Infinity Beverages at www.infinitybeverages.comCheck out RIZE Nutrition on FACEBOOKor by calling (715) 309-2706

This month on Impolite Conversation, Tim talks to Robb Ryerse of Brand New Congress and Vote Common Good about his work with those organizations, as well as his own run for Congress in 2018, which he chronicled in his memoir Running For Our Lives: A Story of Faith, Politics, and the Common Good. And in One Last Thing, Dan has been watching gritty adaptations of lighthearted comics and Tim just wants to hold at bay the anxieties of our current moment. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: Pastor Ryerse was inspired to run for Congress by this episode of the Robcast from evangelical author Rob Bell. He also mentioned Brian McClaren's idea about a constitutional reading of Scripture and the Netflix documentary Knock Down the House. Tim and Pastor Ryerse talked about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's speech about her faith during an Oversight Committee hearing in February. Dan's One Last Thing was about the Netflix series Titans. Tim's One Last Thing was about Arvo Part's "Spiegel im Spiegel." 0:00-1:02: Introduction 1:06-26:54: Ryerse interview 26:59-29:47: Dan's OLT 29:48-31:56: Tim's OLT 31:57-33:03: Credits

Today’s Text: James 2:1-9 As a Christian, when confronted by a tension between a religious certainty which leads me to violate the royal law of love and a deep unknowing moves in the direction of “loving my neighbor as myself,” I am bound to choose the latter course. - Cynthia Bourgeault; Episcopal Priest & Author A Modern Parable: What is your orientation? LGBTQ: What is behind all the initials? This is not an “issue” to be resolved LGBTQ persons are beloved of God and, as all human beings, are made in the image of God. - Jim Wallis; Christ in Crisis Whatever your opinion on same-sex orientation, you have to admit that Jesus didn’t say, “They will know you are my disciples by your firm stance on divisive issues.” - Brian McClaren; Pastor and Author Jesus consistently put people before rules. The world reads Christians, not the bible! For Further Discussion Do you ever feel a tension between your religious convictions and loving your neighbors? Why or why not? Why do you think the Church feels so strongly that we must make moral judgments on everyone and everything? Have you had any relationships with people in the LGBTQ community? What have you learned from those relationships? What can/should we do to remedy the fracture between Christians and the LGBTQ community?

Author, coach, and worship design guru Jason Moore comes on the Uncovered Dish Podcast to share how churches big and small can take worship to the next level that doesn’t only create a great Sunday service but a life-changing experience that spills into Monday and beyond. Jason is the author of 9 books and has designed worship alongside such leaders as Adam Hamilton, Michael Slaughter, Tony Campolo, Brian McClaren, and Leonard Sweet; and he brings all his knowledge to the table. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to register for The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference and register today for Jason’s workshop on “Creative Worship: Discovering the Power of the Narrative Experience.” Register for the 2017 Annual Conference Here: http://bit.ly/2qfdCsL Jason Moore’s Website: http://midnightoilproductions.com/

Brian McClaren joins the Thinking God podcast this week to discuss, among other things, his new book "The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian." McClaren brings a scholarly pastor's heart to the conversation.

Today's interview is (part two of two) with R. Scott Smith, Associate Professor of Ethics and Christian Apologetics at Biola University. He talks about postmodernism, what it is, and how it is affecting the Church. He shares his thoughts on the good and the bad in the emerging church movement and the works of Brian McClaren. Enjoy.

• Email • Brian McClaren Blames "The Christian Faith" for Colonialism, Racism, Slavery, and Destruction of the Environment • Church of Englan Attempts to Broaden Appeal with Songs by U2 • Review of Mark Beeson's Sermon, "God is Waiting on You"