Brian D. McLaren | |
|---|---|
 McLaren in 2012 | |
| Born | 1956 (age 68–69) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland |
| Religion | Christianity |
Congregations served | Cedar Ridge Community Church, Spencerville, Maryland (1982–2006) |
Brian D. McLaren (born 1956) is an American author, speaker, activist, public theologian and was a leading figure in the emerging church movement. McLaren is often associated with postmodern Christianity. [1]
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]
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