A subtle and suggestive view of the Kingdom of God - Rated 
The central idea of this book is an intriguing one in an age when so many people are ready to proclaim glib certainties about Jesus' intentions. The Kingdom of God, the author argues, was and should continue to be established by indirection and by a subtle, suggestive 'pointing beyond' what is to what might be. McLaren is at pains to show how this approach is in continuity with the style of Jewish prophetic tradition, but also grows out of the social and political context of Jesus' day, when Roman occupation of his homeland was a major factor shaping thought and circumscribing the possibilities for political and social change. Though the book's central idea is a little difficult to sustain for over 200 pages (and there's an element of repetition in the middle section), there's much to ponder here.
If the Kingdom is as McLaren suggests it is, then new metaphors are necessary to describe it - I liked the metaphor of it being God's network. What emerges is a fairly radical new vision of what the followers of Jesus need to be working at in order to bring that Kingdom in. It will perhaps strike you as less radical if you're familiar with the work of activists like Jim Wallis, but I suspect McLaren's vision is aimed fairly squarely at more conservative strands of Christianity in his native America. One point that really jarred, though: McLaren sees the `peaceable Kingdom' as one of Jesus' goals, and that's a vision that involves harmony with the natural world. So far so good. But he quotes as evidence for that emerging vision another author's description of a choreographed show of captive orcas at a Seaworld Centre in Florida. How wild mammals, reduced to performing for human amusement in the confines of a pool, can embody the peaceable Kingdom eludes me. This (serious) critique apart, though, a recommended read.
From acceptance to understanding - Rated 
I'm not a Christian. Having said that I do believe that Jesus Christ is the most perfect being to have ever walked on the face of the earth. And I also believe that he died that I may be saved. On a daily basis I do my best to put my trust in God.
However, Christianity for me has always been about being good enough for heaven or being doomed to hell. And I'm sorry but I don't accept that. And that's why I don't call myself a Christian.
This book will take seekers away from the evangelistic portrayal of Christianity to a new and more encompassing understanding of why God sent his only son to pay such an awful price for our sins.
This book is much more than another attempt to get us hooked on religion. Indeed I don't think it would have too much success if that was its aims. Instead Mr McLaren uncovers what Jesus was about, what he stood for and what his vision for the world consisted of. Reading it with acceptance will take you to a new understanding of what it is to be human.
This is a fresh approach and it works.
Excellent for anyone looking to christianity or spirituality into practice - Rated
I've often puzzled at why the church seems so different from what I read in the Gospels. Church tends to focus on Jesus saving our sins etc. What I'm interested in is what Jesus said about how to live our life - being kind, giving, humble, welcoming to prostitutes etc. The author agrees and is also a vicar and learned man of God so it made an interesting, and at times inspiring, read. I did lose the thread occasionally in the first half but the second half is excellent. If you're not Christian (and I'm not really) then it might be a tad too focused on scripture as the means to get a message across. However the author is a very good writer, which makes it a great read.
Challenging Thinking about Jesus - Rated
I have been a fan of Mclaren since being introduced to the "New Kind of Christian" trilogy. Whilst the discussions in these books rang true with me, I found the underlying messages difficult to assemble into a coherent whole. In the "Secret Message" Mclaren resolves this for me.
However, this is no dry textbook. It is set of challenges to me to go away and re-read the gospels and the rest of the New Testament and do some real thinking. It will disturb the comfortable religious traditions and ways that we all have grown up with. But that is a good thing and makes faith stronger.
I am now on my second reading and by coincidence I have been finishing off Karen Armstrong's "The Battle for God". Her historical account shows us how Jesus's message has been distorted and abused over the centuries by politicians, priests, fundamentalists of all persuasions, evangelists etc. By stark contrast, Mclaren's book explores and opens up what he believes Jesus really wanted us to understand.
Sadly the vocal tele-evangelists, fundamentalists and other religious authorities are likely to condemn this book outright, fearing perhaps that the people in the pews might start to think for themselves.
I have one criticism. The book's title and cover are more suggestive of a book such as the "Da Vinci" code. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps the publishers wanted a more eye-catching title than some of McLaren's earlier works!
Not so Secret Secret - Rated
I've been fortunate to be able to read a pre-release galley of Brian McLaren's new book, the Secret Message of Jesus. The title seems a little too like Steve Chalke's 'Lost Message of Jesus', and I'm not keen on the title itself, using the word secret. Having said that, when you read the book, and explore the message of Jesus, historically, theologically, biblically as the book does, you could be left thinking, I wish more people new about this. It's not an emerging church book, and will lay out for a lot of people what Brian believes about Jesus, the Gospel, and christian mission. I found it greatly inspiring and gave me an understanding of Jesus, his connection to the church, and mission throughout history, and our hope in him for holistic life and mission today.
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