Book Review: "Finding Our Way Again. The Return of the Ancient Practices" by Brian Mclaren

This is the first book in The Ancient Practices Series and I was super excited to read it.  I've really enjoyed the two other books I've read in the series.  I thought, surely, that this beginning would be just as good or better since it was setting us up to read the rest of the books.  Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.

The book did have some good pieces of information, just not the information I was expecting.  I felt like the book spent most of it's time talking about the shared heritage of the three major world religions, Judaism, Christianity, & Islam.  The author stressed the point that perhaps if we all got in touch with our heritage we would all get along and peace would reign.   This isn't a bad hope/wish, just not what I thought the book was going to focus on.

One of the things that he wrote about that I enjoyed was that faith should be a way of life not a belief system.  That in the bible, it is often referred to as "the way," which infers that it is a progression not something static.  Faith is a road we travel.   The metaphor of the road is taken further by explaining that the roads in ancient days were rocky, twisted, & dangerous.  That one needed careful attention and commitment to travel the road.  If we follow Jesus and imitate his behavior, it is like following someone who has been down the road before us.  It makes traveling much easier, not easy, but easier.

He also points out that by practicing the ancient ways we are exercising our beliefs.  They are a way of building up our faith  reserves for times when we have nothing.  I find this point to be comforting.  It was also pointed out in one of the other books about the ancient ways, Common Prayer, I believe.  I like knowing that when I'm to upset, tired, despondent, or confused to come up with my own thoughts, my brain can draw on the words from the centuries and I can find comfort and sense in them.

To sum up what the author says are the points behind practicing the ancient ways; They are to 1) help us build character, 2)help us to be fully awake and alive to God, and 3) help us more fully experience God.

Now the big question, would I recommend this book?  To tell the truth, I'm not really sure.  It isn't bad, just seeming off topic and a bit rambely for my tastes.  If you do choose to read it, read several snippets or reviews so you know what the book is really about.

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