Brian McLaren to Observe Ramadan

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Thu, August 27, 2009
(23) comments so far

Brian McLaren is getting much criticism these days (once again)... this time, for his decision to join in with some of his Muslim friends in fasting for Ramadan...

McLaren writes:

This year, I, along with a few Christian friends (and perhaps others currently unknown to us will want to join in) will be joining Muslim friends in the fast which begins August 21. We are not doing so in order to become Muslims: we are deeply committed Christians. But as Christians, we want to come close to our Muslim neighbors and to share this important part of life with them. Just as Jesus, a devout Jew, overcame religious prejudice and learned from a Syrophonecian woman and was inspired by her faith two thousand years ago (Matthew 15:21 ff, Mark 7:24 ff), we seek to learn from our Muslim sisters and brothers today.

Muslims observe Ramadan in the same basic way world-wide: they fast from food, water, sex, etc., from dawn to dusk. We Christians who are joining in the fast will share these four common commitments:

We, as Christians, humbly seek to join Muslims in this observance of Ramadan as a God-honoring expression of peace, fellowship, and neighborliness. Each of us will have at least one Muslim friend who will serve as our partner in the fast. These friends welcome us in the same spirit of peace, fellowship, and neighborliness.
We will seek to avoid being disrespectful or unfaithful to our own faith tradition in our desire to be respectful to the faith tradition of our friends. For example, since the Bible teaches us the importance of fasting and being generous to the poor, we can participate as Christians in fidelity to the Bible as our Muslim friends do so in fidelity to the Quran.

Among the core values of Ramadan are self control, expressing kindness, and resolving conflicts. For this reason, if we are criticized or misunderstood by Christians, Muslims, or others for this endeavor, we will avoid defending ourselves or engaging in arguments. Instead, we will seek to explain ourselves humbly, simply, and briefly when necessary, connecting with empathy to the needs and feelings of others as we express our own.

Our main purpose for participating will be our own spiritual growth, health, learning, and maturity, but we also hope that our experience will inspire others to pray and work for peace and the common good, together with people of other faith traditions.
May God bless all people, and teach us to love God and love one another, and so fulfill our calling as human beings.

You can read more here at Brian's blog.

What do you think? Good idea or bad? McLaren is getting tons of criticism for doing this? Is it justified? I'd love to hear what you think...

Comments

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Corbett Reeves on Thu, August 27, 2009

CS:

I believe this is the key statement in regards to your reply:

We will seek to avoid being disrespectful or unfaithful to our own faith tradition in our desire to be respectful to the faith tradition of our friends. For example, since the Bible teaches us the importance of fasting and being generous to the poor, we can participate as Christians in fidelity to the Bible as our Muslim friends do so in fidelity to the Quran.

There is a big difference between fasting (a completely Biblical exercise) and bowing down toward or making pilgrimage to Mecca. McLaren is not engaging in anything (as far as I can tell from his announcement) that is outside of the worship of Jehovah God.

He is choosing to do so at an intersection point between the Christian faith and Islam, so that he may gain understanding and lend understanding, without being disingenuous or being untrue to his commitment to Christ.

About that, you stated: “I think that�s about as close as someone can go in trying to push the limits of the First and Second Commandments.”

I disagree and I don’t believe your examples (or Faye’s) have any similarity to what McLaren and his friends are doing.

I appreciate your concern, however. Faithfulness to the Gospel is paramount as we seek to win the world to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Christopher G Fontenot on Thu, August 27, 2009

NEWS ALERT!!!!

Brian McLaren will observe in the month of October the festival of the equinox and sacrifice small animals and dance naked in the moonlight with his satanic “friends” in and effort to show tolerance and love! All Christians are encouraged to participate to demonstrate the love of Jesus.
jean pitt on Thu, August 27, 2009

cliff,
you’re really doing what is prevalent today…by your own admission regarding Jesus learning from the Phon. woman, you then, however, go on to ‘rationalize’ the comment by McClaren. He said what he said. This is exactly how errant teaching sneaks in the back door. We like someone, want to support them so then we start ‘reinterpreting’ what they said to make it spiritually palatable.
You know really, look at how Jesus ministered. It was a prolonged conversation, making buddies, getting to understand culture. What He spoke was from God, it was direct when needed to be and parables when necessary, but it most certainly was not prolonged and engaging with the culture. What’s really happened is that we’re trying to ‘be’ Jesus without the Holy Spirit and when that is attempted then everything’s up for grabs and people will go to no ends in fabricating something that replaces His Spirit, all in the name of Jesus, of course! What must God think?
David Buckham on Mon, August 31, 2009

Brian McLaren is a “deeply committed Christian.” As such, he is my brother in Christ. I don’t judge or determine who is and is not a Christian.

I do have a problem with one particular point he makes as a Christian teacher. The teaching of a Christian we can test and see if it holds truth. McLare said that Jesus “learned” from this Syrophonecian woman. It would be wise for McLaren to look at the context of the scripture he references. There was nothing to be “learned”. Jesus healed the woman’s daughter, based on her faith in Him…not a pagan or Gentile god. His response does not change His mission, which is what Christ is talking about. Brian McLaren’s implication is that Christ’s mission has been revamped because of what the syrophonecian woman taught Him. McLaren’s implication changes the meaning of the greater context. When Christian teachers do this, they may come across to some as smart, or wise…in some cases Godly, but at what cost? Look at what is being said in the scriptures and then say/restate that, don’t add to it or take away from it.

Join with a Muslim in fasting. Great. But fast for the right reasons. Check the Bible…or if you want, the Koran for that matter, as to why you fast. Myself, I will stick with the Bible. While I think it is great and even admirable that McLaren, and others, are seeking unity with Muslims, I think it would be far more beneficial if we, as Christians, sought unity with one another first. Christ prayed that we, His followers, would be unified.

As a teacher, McLaren does make some really great points or nuggets of truth. So you have some nuggets of truth in a book(s), now what? Does that make it all true? I hope not, because even Dan Brown can sprinkle a book with nuggets of truth. A few truths doesn’t make the whole True. From everything I have read by McLaren, I don’t feel that he knows what he believes, other than his stated Christianity. Brian McLaren, please stop teaching Christians until you know what you believe.

all about Christ,
David
Richard H on Mon, August 31, 2009

It’s a great idea. Missionaries in Muslim majority cultures do it all the time. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to comment on it publicly, though. I think that would not only lessen the effect, but shift the focus.
Jon on Mon, August 31, 2009

I used to have respect for McClaren. However, with this, and other things, he has taken his views entirely too far away from the solid Christian foundation that God desires.
Richard on Tue, September 01, 2009

What will get accomplished? What’s the point? This seems all so ego-driven. Look at me…talk about me…see how compassionate and open-minded I am. Please.
Tim Wright on Tue, September 01, 2009

Looking forward to Brian marrying a few more wives to really come alongside Muslims and understand them.

Tim