5.0 out of 5 stars What a Feast!

P.L.S. · August 6, 2011

Having just finished Rohr's Falling Upward, this was the perfect follow-up. Usually I'll devour books about which I'm passionate but this one is different; I haven't wanted it to end. It has been so rewarding to dine on the riches herein, take it slowly and savor every little bit. Almost two months later, having really taken my time to dwell on the messages I find myself revelling in that of which Mr McLaren has been the willing messenger.A big part of the beauty of this book isn't just the truth that it contains, but the simplicity with which the author captures everything.Challenging, stretching, thought-provoking (and how! I just *love* his definition of "de-ligion") and conversation prompting. A watershed for me - the right message at the right time from which comes growth and being better equipped to serve my God. A great book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read very thought provoking.

J.R. · October 20, 2024

I used this for a Bible study class and it was so very convenient to have a book that I could go back and revisit when I want.

4.0 out of 5 stars a creative and fresh approach to Christian spirituality

G.S.(.s. · February 29, 2012

Naked Spirituality offers a creative and fresh approach to Christian spirituality. McLaren orients the text around four seasons, which one can pass through any number of times and should be envisioned as "an ascending spiral that grows wider" each time one passes through (p.27). For each season, he suggests three words that offer unconventional names for specific spiritual practices.For those followers of Jesus for whom the traditional language and practices of spirituality are second nature, as well as those for whom those words and what they represent are difficult to approach, McLaren, McLaren provides new vocabulary and an invitation to continue on the journey of faith moving toward spiritual nakedness or authenticity. I find McLaren's work, in general, to be theologically thoughtful and pragmatically helpful in moving the church of the early twenty-first century more fully into the present. While Naked Spirituality is no exception, it did not reach as far nor did it resonate as fully as have other recent texts. Furthermore, the stage theory itself is a bit forced, but this problem is overcome to some degree by the advice to live each stage well and to see all twelve as leading to the final word: love.

5.0 out of 5 stars GRACE FROM BOTH SIDES, WITH AND WITHOUT

M.J.A.W.G. · April 18, 2011

I remember all of Jay Bakker's back ground from television and other media, at least his parents story. Their fall from Grace in the eyes of the public was written and talked about without any mercy, love or grace. Now in my opinion, Grace should have been shown to them as a fellow Christian. Needless to say what they did that was illegal did require an accounting for their actions. Every child of God when they have fallen should be helped to become transformed not beaten down.Jay does a wonderful job of telling it like it was. I appreciate his honesty. Those of us who have known the Grace of God should in turn offer grace to everyone. How will anyone really know the Grace of God if they have never been shown by God's workers on this earth. We are supposed to be the hands and feet of God, working with God where God is working.Some may be shocked by the honesty in which Jay describes what it's like without Grace. But after the shock we should all get busy in our lives and live as God's children helping in the transformation of those who need help and to be thankful for all those who have shown us grace and through them God's Grace.This book, in my opinion should be read by everyone. As you read and afterward ponder these things and if need be change the way you think and love others.

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging and Expansive

A.L.A. · July 6, 2013

I read this book as part of my Sabbath discipline, one chapter per week. I found it so fruitful that I now use it as a training tool for new member sponsors at the church I attend.The premise is simple: McLaren has chosen 12 words to reflect on the seasons of the spiritual journey: Here, Thanks, O, Sorry, Help, Please, When, No, Why, Behold, Yes, and [...] He uses three words each as contemplative metaphors for the four seasons of Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony. Because he is using the analogy of the year or cycle, he offers the opportunity for the reader to consider our journeys less as a trip (from point A to point B) and more in line with a wandering (passing the same point more than once, but always in a slightly different emotional-spiritual-psychological space.)McLaren's reflection on his own voyage of discovery was like having a lively, challenging, and vulnerable companion beside me. There were times when I said, "Finally I have words to describe what I felt during that experience." There were other times when something that had been lurking in the back of my heart snapped into sharp focus.McLaren's honesty encourages honesty in his readers, and a willingness to move deeply beneath the surface of events to explore the meanings, the blessings, and the shadows.Having used the book with groups, I would say that literal folks have a harder time with the imagery and metaphors he uses (which, personally, I found enormously helpful -- ) It is also probably not a good book for those who tend toward believing that there is one right answer to questions about faith. Depending on where a person is emotionally, it might be the tipping point book -- inviting her or him into an expansive and divine space. It could also simply be an exercise in frustration when McLaren gently suggests that God is likely larger than any one answer we might believe we "have."If, however, you are someone who is seeking a companion to challenge your own status quo and nudge you to look openly at your own "givens" and biases...you have found the person in McLaren.

En anglais mais vaut le détour

A. · January 3, 2014

La spiritualité à nu, un thème plus anglo-saxon que latin mais un point de vue qu'il faut connaître pour apprécier son propre chemin. A l'époque où manquent des maîtres spirituels, des conseillers, des directeurs de conscience, voilà un bon point de départ.Il n'y a que le premier pas qui coûte (et pas trop le livre).

A must Read

J. · December 12, 2020

Read twice

Ein leiser und weiser

M. · November 16, 2011

Brian McLaren schreibt einen leicht lesbaren, aber tiefgründigen Führer durch die Jahreszeiten des spirituellen Lebens. Er schreibt sehr persönlich, ohne jedoch die eigenen Erfahrungen unangenehm herauszustellen. Mit seiner klaren Struktur und durchdachten Wortwahl hilft er dem Leser, sich selbst an den unterschiedlichen Punkten wiederzufinden. Wo manche andere Autoren zu einem gewissen Denken in Stufen neigen, da spricht McLaren bescheiden von Jahreszeiten, die man auch mehrfach durchläuft.Für jede der spirituellen Jahreszeiten hat das Buch drei Worte, hinter denen sich nicht nur ein theoretisches Konzept, sondern die konkrete Einübung in bestimmte Haltungen steht. Nicht die Information steht im Mittelpunkt, sondern die Anwendung. Immer wieder lädt McLaren den Leser zu kleinen Übungen ein und der Anhang bietet neben Fragen zum Gespräch in Gruppen oder für die eigene Reflexion auch einfache Gebete und wortlose, aber ausdrucksstarke "Gebetsgesten".In meinen Augen hat dieses Buch das Zeug zum Klassiker. Jetzt muss es nur noch ein Verlag ins Deutsche übersetzen.

A wonderful Mystical Guide

M.M.L. · February 10, 2013

I try to be very sparing with awarding five stars and only put very special books in that category. And I seek to be very specific as to the strengths of the book. So what are the attributes of the book that are so good?* Practical. I bought the book not to know more about spirituality but to help me to try to engage better in prayer. As such the book proved to be very suitable. The author outlines a process and then begs that readers put the book down and put the exercise into practise rather than simply moving on to the next interesting issue.* Simple. I have yet to meet anyone who believes they are an expert in prayer - we all need a simple guide. I found the structure based on 4 stages and 12 one word prayers to be accessible and logical. With some other books on prayer I have felt defeated before finishing the first chapter - here the material was put together in an easy to understand manner which gave me confidence that even I could embark on the mystery that is prayer.* Depth. While it is simple in some ways in other ways it has tremendous depth. So having finished the book (which took several months) I have returned to the beginning to repeat the journey. I am finding that second time around I am progressing even more slowly as I feel better able to ponder and digest and put the suggestions into practice.Some individuals have difficulties with some of Mclaren's theology. This need be no barrier to reading this book - as the focus is entirely on relating personally with God.Mclaren expounds 4 seasons of spiritual maturing (Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity and Harmony). Others have described development in terms of : 1. Accepting Authority; 2. Questioning and finding one's own answers; 3. Mystical - relating with God. In these terms it is a valuable stage 3 book - but that said I believe it would be invaluable for anyone seeking to develop or deepen their spiritual life - I would highly recommend this book.

Easily the most useful Christian book I've read.

P. · July 9, 2014

Easily the most useful Christian book I've read. And I've read a lot. I guess it depends where you're at how helpful it is (though it's meant to work at any point ,being based on stages or a cycle of someone's dealings with god). For me, well for a couple of years I've been using a lectionary to pray (the Common prayer for ordinary radicals one - v popular as I guess I'm not the only one to feel the need) because I got to a point where I couldn't do it otherwise. Not that I didn't pray, or want to pray, just had a block when it came to the words. I suppose I'd got allergic to christian jargon, got fed up of pretending stuff, and really, what do you say? So old prayers, pictures worked, imagination, doing stuff like walking a labyrinth... But anyway this book turned out to be exactly right for giving a one-word hook for the stuff you need to do with God (spiritual disciplines). It offers a minimal, simple, clear structure to help negotiate something that's massively complicated and hard to understand, but without being at all formulaic or reductive. I really like his tentative-ness, being really clear that he doesn't have the answers but this might help. Any more certainty and I'd have stopped reading. it doesn't make you feel bad about not doing stuff, but kind of puts a name and a few useful words to what you are doing, or wanting to do, anyway. The first part, 'here' is awesome. I suppose I must be at a back-at-the-start stage of life because I've only really internalised the first three things (there are four 'stages' with three three things each) though I read the whole book. But those three things, or words, have become part of what do, really helped, so i'd say give this a try.