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Brian D. McLaren

Biography

Brian D. McLaren earned an MA at the University of Maryland and previously taught college English. McLaren has served as a conference speaker and guest lecturer, and has served as founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Baltimore-Washington region. McLaren wrote The Galápagos Islands (2019) and wrote the forewords to Border Dance (2023) and Gilgamesh to Gierach (2024).

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God's Economy

Christian Living

“All of us who are citizens of the richest nation in the history of the human race would be wise to think long and hard about what we have been given, and what is expected of us in return. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove’s new book, God’s Economy, is a gentle yet challenging guide in that vital process.”

Grace Abounds

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“If you have about had it with the Bible, or if you preach to people who feel the Bible does more harm than good, Walter Brueggemann’s Grace Abounds is the medicine you need. It rescues us from the all-too-common and all-too-shallow ways the Bible is typically quoted and wielded like a weapon; it gently leads us down into the Bible’s deepest currents—currents that challenge many of our most deeply-held paradigms and ultimately liberate us from them.”

Grace at the Garbage Dump

Evangelism & Missions

“One part travelogue, one part coming-of-age story, one part spiritual autobiography, and one part reflections on poverty and what it means to help and be helped by those in need, Grace at the Garbage Dump introduces us all to Jesse Zink--talented as a writer, honest as a Christian thinker, and smart as an activist--exactly the kind of voice we need.”

Grief Set Free

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Al Johnson is exactly the kind of caring pastor and wise elder to which any person in grief would go for comfort. I respect him greatly and am grateful that he is telling his story of grief and healing.”

Healing the Gospel

Theology

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Hear Us Out

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“So many churches are "shrinkling"--shrinking in size and wrinkling with age. They say they want young people to return to the church... but do they, really? If there's one book I could recommend for churches to take seriously when they consider ways to welcome emerging generations into their midst, it would be Hear Us Out. It combines quality research with deep reflection and wide affection. Your congregation needs this book, and so do you!”

Holy Disruption

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“I love books that help me see the Bible, Jesus, God, and myself in a new light, and that’s exactly what Holy Disruption does with vigor and depth. Whether you read it alone, in a group, or with your whole congregation, Holy Disruption will blow away distractions and bring Jesus and his gospel into clear focus. Christmas will never be the same for you again. I highly recommended this book!”

How Not to Be Afraid

Christian Living

“I'm so happy this beautiful book is here. Gareth Higgins has a certain rare magic as a writer and human being. This book will touch you and help you overcome fear, live with courage and creativity, and find meaning on this frightened planet.”

How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith

Philosophy

“Shortly after a few of us started using the word postmodern, the term in the hands of some became a club--a blunt instrument used to intimidate, insult or exclude (one way or another). Thankfully, thoughtful and articulate scholars like Crystal Downing are now stepping forward, providing nuanced reflection so more charitable dialogue can prevail. Her treatment of relativism alone is worth the price of the book. Highly recommended.”

How to Begin When Your World Is Ending

Christian Living

“If you like to read beautifully written chapters that are every bit as funny as they are wise, that's reason enough to read How to Begin When Your World Is Ending. A gift and a delight!”

How Western Christianity Got It Wrong

Theology

“I can't think of a book anywhere that does what this book does as powerfully as this book does. It gets to the heart of what's gone wrong in Western Christianity and then gets to the heart of what is needed. Randy Woodley is the right person to write this book, and he accomplishes so much in twelve hard-hitting, no-nonsense, deeply intelligent, clearly written, heartfelt chapters. Every seminarian should read this book, along with every pastor and priest, and every Christian and post-Christian.”

In the Low

Bible Studies & Devotionals

““If you have experienced depression, or if you are close to someone who is in that low place right now, you know that well-meaning friends, family members, and clergy often say things that make you feel worse. As I read the honest, simple prayers in this book and let the clear and powerful illustrations do their work on me, I felt: ‘This will help, not hurt. This will help make things better, not worse.’ You will treasure this book, I predict, and come back to it again and again.”

Into the Mess and Other Jesus Stories

Christian Living

“A lot of religious writing is devotional but not particularly thoughtful. Some is high on scholarship but low on personal engagement. Debie Thomas brings head and heart together. Her beautiful new book will help you understand Jesus better, and yourself too. Highly recommended!”

Irreconcilable Differences?

Philosophy

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Jesus Girls

Women

“Written by experienced women writers from diverse evangelical Christian backgrounds, the tales are honest, approachable and revealing. Each author has put aside her inhibitions about exposing the flaws of her home church--from power struggles to the indoctrination of shame--and takes evangelicalism to task for its 'carefully filtered' yet ambiguous conventions. Yet all of the authors tell of a more realistic, meandering faith, enduring even while rife with doubt. Readers will be inspired to re-examine their own beliefs and perhaps even create their own un-testimonies." -- Publishers Weekly "OK, male Evangelicals . . . it's time: you need to listen to your sisters, mothers, and daughters. Their voices have been marginalized for too long, and as you'll see in these pages, they have some tremendous stories to tell (or 'testimonies to share'). "OK, female Evangelicals . . . it's time: spread the word on this amazing collection of essays. I've never seen anything like it, and I think you'll agree. "OK, non-Evangelicals . . . it's time: if you thought all Evangelical women were sitting quietly in church or baking casseroles for the next pot-luck, all the while dreaming of the next election in which they can vote right-wing . . . here's a jolt and a pleasant surprise for you. Another great collection of deep feeling, honest thinking, and splendid writing from the folks at The Other Journal.”

Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me

History & Biography

“There are some books you have to read—they’re important for your work or required so you can be ‘up’ on what’s happening. There are other books you want to read. These books humanize you, deepen your soul and your insight, help you see the world through the eyes of another. They move you to tears and to smiles and delight you with the craft of the author. This is one of those want-to-read books, a portal that transports you into the struggles of childhood, the agony of alcoholism, the joys of coming of age, the terror and hope of parenthood, and the mystery of faith. Enthusiastically recommended.”

Journey to Eloheh

“For many years, I have considered Randy Woodley one of my teachers. His books, lectures, and personal conversations--together with his humble, yet bold, spirit as a teacher--have enriched and challenged me. His new book, co-written with his wise and eloquent wife, Edith, is a masterpiece, a book I would recommend to anyone and everyone. It beautifully combines the sharing of their life-story with the essence of their lifeway, articulated in ten powerful Indigenous values that are as deeply spiritual as they are deeply practical.”

Let’s Talk

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Thanks to Harold Heie for his new book, Let’s Talk. God knows how much we need it in these divisive times! If you’d like to be part of the solution rather than just complaining about the problem, this is a timely, helpful resource.”

Letters from “Apartheid Street”

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“A valuable resource for all who are called to be peacemakers--which should mean all of us.”

Life after God

Christian Living

“I am among the millions for whom traditional ways of thinking and talking about God have stopped working. For a while, I wondered if that meant I had to become an atheist or agnostic. But Life after God has helped me see that my problem isn’t with God but only with some ways of thinking of God that used to help people but now actually hurt people. I love this book, and I think you will too.”

NOTE: Only includes books currently in our catalog; not necessarily a complete list.

Cover of A Divine Society

A Divine Society

Co-author

Theology

Cover of Bearings

Bearings

Christian Living

Cover of Christi-Anarchy

Christi-Anarchy

Co-author

Christian Living

Cover of Everything Must Change

Everything Must Change

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

Cover of Finding Our Way Again

Finding Our Way Again

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

Cover of Learnings

Learnings

Christian Living

Cover of More Ready Than You Realize

More Ready Than You Realize

Evangelism & Missions

Cover of Not Religion but Love

Not Religion but Love

Co-author

Christian Living

Cover of The Church in Emerging Culture

The Church in Emerging Culture

Co-author

Church Leadership & Ministry

Cover of The Emerging Church

The Emerging Church

Co-author

Church Leadership & Ministry

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