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.

Education and career

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. He is a faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the Centre for Action and Contemplation. McLaren attended the University of Maryland where he received both a B.A. (1978) and M.A. (1981) 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. He was founding pastor and served in that capacity until 2006. The church eventually grew to include 500 members. 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. In 2013, McLaren stated that he did not believe homosexual conduct to be sinful. In 2015, McLaren was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America.

Personal life

McLaren is married and has four children and five grandchildren. 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.

Publications

Children's Books

Sole-authored Books

Co-authored books

Books part of a Series

Co-edited volumes

Critical references

Interviews