235. TNE TALKS: Life After Doom // Brian McLaren

Summary

Brian McLaren discusses his new book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, that addresses the multiple crises facing our world, including climate change, white Christian nationalism, and ecological overshoot. McLaren emphasizes the feeling of doom that many people experience and the need for a deep spiritual transformation to address the root problem. 

Takeaways

Denial and misinformation about climate change are fueled by economic interests, partisan affiliations, and ideological biases.

Theological arguments, such as the belief in the imminent return of Jesus, can hinder environmental stewardship. Disembedding our identity from the values of our current civilization is crucial for envisioning life after doom.

Renewing our minds and adopting a different set of assumptions and values can lead to personal transformation.

Rediscovering indigenous wisdom can provide valuable insights into our interconnectedness with the earth and the need for a holistic approach to environmental stewardship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:29 The Poly Crisis

06:01 The Root Problem: Ecological Overshoot

10:01 The Motivation Behind Denial

11:28 The Theological Argument

16:28 The Influence of Conservative Media

21:52 The Impact of Rapture Theology

29:35 Life After Doom

30:17 Disembedding Identity

32:18 The Bible and the End of Civilization

33:37 Coping with the End of Civilization

36:19 Bringing Good News 

38:10 Addressing Pressing Issues

41:19 Voting and Talking About Concerns

45:24 Business and Science as Agents of Change

49:02 Religion's Role in the Transformation

50:20 Rediscovering Indigenous Wisdom

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