Brian's Challenge.

Found a good article (via BHT) interviewing Brian McLaren on a plethora of topics. His answers are respectful, thought-out, and many times true and inspiring. I think, with such recent "controversies" involving the emerging church that it is important to speak with, and hear from, such people directly.

When talking about homosexuality, he said:

So what I'm advocating is for us, first, to acknowledge that good Christians disagree.

And I think this quote is expressive of any topic of discourse between Christians or non-believers. We have to realize that there are so many differing views and that they are often held by wise, mature, loving people committed to Jesus and His vision for the world.

In all of the recent arguments I've seen raised within the Christian community, the lack of personal respect for each other has been saddening.

Brian makes a good point when talking about relations with Muslims (that has wider appeal to all disagreements):

[W]hen we create stereotypes of people and when we are ready to call a person an enemy and have nothing to do with them, at that point we are being unfaithful to Jesus Christ.

Even if Brian McLaren is wrong in his beliefs, even if he is an enemy of Christ, we are admonished by Jesus' very words to show him love --

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. {Matthew 5:44-45}

And how did Jesus show love to His enemies?

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--if you continue in your faith... {Colossians 1:21-23a, emphasis mine}

Are we willing to love those who are different from us?

What does this love look like?