Life After Doom - by Brian D McLaren (Hardcover)

About the Book

""A book of rare wisdom, genuinely profound in depth and scope." -Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion "As rich and thoughtful as all of Brian McLaren's work, but with a particular urgency!" -Bill McKibben A deeply insightful exploration of how to live with wisdom, resilience and love in our turbulent times For the last quarter-century, author and activist Brian D. McLaren has been writing at the intersection of religious faith and contemporary culture. In Life After Doom, he engages with the catastrophic failure of both our religious and political leaders to address the dominant realities of our time: ecological overshoot, economic injustice, and the increasing likelihood of civilizational collapse. McLaren defines doom as the "un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling" that "we humans have made a mess of our civilization and our planet, and not enough of us seem to care enough to change deeply enough or quickly enough to save ourselves." Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. If you want to help yourself, your family, and the communities to which you belong to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us - this is the book you need right now"--

Book Synopsis

"As rich and thoughtful as all of Brian McLaren's work, but with a particular urgency!" --Bill McKibben

"Riveting. Challenging. Brave. Devastating. Hopeful." --Rabbi Sharon Brous, IKAR, author of The Amen Effect

A deeply insightful exploration of how to live with wisdom, resilience and love in our turbulent times

For the last quarter-century, author and activist Brian D. McLaren has been writing at the intersection of religious faith and contemporary culture. In Life After Doom, he engages with the catastrophic failure of both our religious and political leaders to address the dominant realities of our time: ecological overshoot, economic injustice, and the increasing likelihood of civilizational collapse. McLaren defines doom as the "un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling" that "we humans have made a mess of our civilization and our planet, and not enough of us seem to care enough to change deeply enough or quickly enough to save ourselves."

Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. If you want to help yourself, your family, and the communities to which you belong to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us -- this is the book you need right now.

Review Quotes

WINNER, THE RELIGION COMMUNICATOR COUNCIL'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

"A wise and compassionate guide to seeing, thinking and living in difficult times. This book is a triumph of clarity and humanity."
--Ben Rawlence, award-winning author of The Treeline

"McLaren's candor, insights and guidance will inspire readers to speak out and make positive changes."
--Booklist (Starred)

"Life After Doom is more than just a book; it's a movement, a manifesto, and most importantly, a roadmap to a brighter tomorrow."
―Tripp Fuller, Host of the Homebrewed Christianity Podcast, and Visiting Professor of Theology, Luther Theological Seminary

"McLaren offers tangible ways to turn concern into sacred activism. I'm wiser for having read Life After Doom and more informed and prepared to become involved in impacting change for the good of our earth and all of its inhabitants."
―Karla Kamstra, TikTok's RevKarla, author of Deconstructing: Leaving Church, Finding Faith

"With his usual patience and clarity, Brian McLaren invites us to do necessary spiritual work... And we discover, after doom, the magnificent and beautiful task set before us. This book has convinced me that indeed, we must do this inner work now."
―Debra Rienstra, author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth

"McLaren gives us ideas that work."
―Steven Charleston, Choctaw elder and Retired Episcopal Bishop

"McLaren says the quiet part out loud. He invites us to cultivate resilience, to create meaning, to join communities of care."
―Kate Davis, Director, Center for Transforming Engagement, The Seattle School

"A book like this, from a man as politically astute and spiritually sensitive as Brian McLaren, is timely and vital. I'd recommend it to anybody concerned about the future of our society and even the very dignity of humanity."
―Rev. Michael Coren

"McLaren invites us to live into a new and redemptive story."
―Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, author of Climate Church, Climate World and Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the United Church of Christ

"I can't say it enough: Read this book! Read this book!"
―Randy Woodley, Author/Speaker, Co-sustainer at Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice

"In Life After Doom, Brian McLaren does what he does best: helps us hold the liminal space of hoping for a better world while grieving the one we have created today. In these pages, McLaren helps us name hard truths and ask questions that often feel exhausting to ask, and reminds us along the way that we are not alone in those questions."
―Kaitlin B Curtice, citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and award-winning author of Native, Living Resistance and Winter's Gifts

"An illuminated roadmap guiding us to islands of light and hope in the world while not denying what lies ahead. Read this book - and feel like you have been given real tools to cope with climate change grief from a spiritual master."
―Theresa Martella, Spiritual Ecologist, retired U.S Environmental Protection Agency scientist

"McLaren succeeds in inspiring us to action regardless of our call to theology or science."
―James McClintock, PhD, author of Lost Antarctica

"When I finished Life After Doom, I was overcome by a single unexpected response: gratitude. In these pages, Brian is pastor, teacher, therapist and prophet as he guides us through the multiple crises of our current situation. He challenges both debilitating despair and false hope to awaken our capacity to dream and act courageously for the future... You will thank him."
―Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion

"In this bracing study, theologian McLaren (Faith After Doubt) challenges readers to recognize "the dangerous future into which we are presently plunging ourselves, our descendants, and our fellow creatures." He casts aside capitalism and "socially disengaged and anti-ecological" Christian theology as tools for tackling climate collapse in favor of a "creative path of resistance" that prioritizes sacrifice, courage, kindness, and wisdom gleaned from "indigenous leaders" and the Bible. (In McLaren's telling, Jesus is as an Indigenous prophet who challenged the "supremacy" of the day's dominant civilizations with values of love.) While the emphasis isn't on action items (suggestions include connecting with neighbors and friends over shared fears, as well as reading a list of books by Indigenous authors), McLaren motivates without resorting to panic and provides insight on why it's hard to come to grips with an existential threat as one's brain ricochets between immediate, primal survival instincts, higher-order risk assessment, and concerns about friends and family. It's a valuable resource for believers concerned about climate change."
--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

A former English professor, BRIAN D. MCLAREN was a pastor for twenty-four years. Now he's an author, activist, public theologian, and frequent guest lecturer. His work has been covered in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN. The author of more than 15 books, including Faith After Doubt, Do I Stay Christian? and A New Kind of Christian, he is a faculty member of The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation. McLaren lives in Florida.