Brian D. McLaren (born 1956) is an author, speaker, activist, public theologian and was a leading figure in the emerging church movement. McLaren is often associated with postmodern Christianity.[1]
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Brian D. McLaren
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McLaren in 2012
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| Born | 1956 (age 67–68) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland |
| Religion | Christianity |
Congregations served | Cedar Ridge Community Church, Spencerville, Maryland (1982–2006) |
Raised in Rockville, Maryland in the conservative Open Brethren, part of the Plymouth Brethren, McLaren became attracted to the countercultural Jesus Movement in the 1970s.[2] He is a faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the Centre for Action and Contemplation.[3]
McLaren attended the University of Maryland where he received both a B.A. (1978) and M.A. (1981) [4][5] He holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Carey Theological Seminary, Vancouver. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal).
From 1978-1986 McLaren taught college English. He helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church, a non-denominational church in Spencerville, Maryland, in 1982.[6] He was founding pastor and served in that capacity until 2006. The church eventually grew to include 500 members.[7]
In 2011, McLaren defended Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins against critiques from figures such as Albert Mohler, who argued that Bell advocated universalism.[8]
In 2013, McLaren stated that he did not believe homosexual conduct to be sinful.[9]
In 2015, McLaren was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America.[10]
McLaren is married and has four children and five grandchildren.[5][11] In September 2012, McLaren led a commitment ceremony for his son Trevor and partner Owen Ryan at the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase, Maryland.[12]