Local pastor and theologian discuss a reasonable case for Christian community

Author and senior pastor Lillian Daniel of the First Congregational Church in Glen Ellyn along with author and theologian Brian McLaren team up to discuss Christianity at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St.

Somewhere between the Christian doctrine viewpoints of “Burn in Hell” and “Whatever floats your boat,” Daniel and McLaren will vocalize a reasonable case for the Christian community. Joseph A. Shank, senior pastor at Winnetka Congregational Church, will moderate the lively discussion.

The speakers are celebrated authors of the 2012-launched publishing house Jericho Books led by Wendy Grisham, which provides a space for non-traditional voices to express fresh perspectives on faith as it relates to religious, social and political issues. Both will be signing copies of their new books, Daniel’s “When Spiritual but Not Religious is Not Enough – Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church,” and McLaren’s “Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?.”

Daniel is editor at large for Christian Century Magazine, contributing editor at Leadership Journal and author of “Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony.” She has taught at Yale Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School. In 2010 she received the distinguished alumni award from Yale Divinity School for Distinction in Congregational Ministry.

McLaren is an author, speaker, activist and public theologian. His previous books include “Naked Spirituality” and “A New Kind of Spirituality.” A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a presenter in the Living the Questions “Saving Jesus” series.

For more information about the authors, visit jerichobooks.com/books.