one thing leads to another

An Iona Associate friend asked have you had opportunity to watch and listen to the conversation between the leader of the Iona Community Ruth Harvey and Brian McLaren. 

So having a bit of time to hand, I typed into YouTube 'Iona Community and Brian McLaren' (well worth a watch), and now I find myself reading his book  'Life after Doom". 

So one thing certainly leads to another.

It's not an easy read. By that I mean while his style, as always is accessible, the subject matter gives rise to a variety of very uncomfortable emotions. He paints four possible scenarios as to our future, and to be frank none of them are great. 

He is facing up to the greatest threat to human civilisation, namely climate change. This has been brought on by 

• our consumption of the planet which is unsustainable, 
• the destruction of the eco systems on which we depend as we continue to pollute our way into the future, 
• the reality of consumerism on which capitalism depends 
• the complicity of parts of the religious establishment that is tied into the political and economics of the world, where an ever growing majority are getting poorer and a small elite are getting wealthier
• the bad theology of those who believe this way is okay, because it all has to go wrong so Jesus can return, and the chosen/saved ones will be airlifted to heaven, while the rest of humanity is thrust into eternal damnation. 

So far I don't disagree with his analysis. The questions he poses would make for important group discussion if only you could find those willing to discuss in an open minded way. 

All this and I've only just started the firsts few chapters. It will be interesting to see the way this all unfolds. So if any of you who read my blog get the chance, read his book and leave me a comment about what you make of it. I'll keep posting as I reflect on what he writes.