A Problem at the Root

The biggest problem with Claiborne's philosophy is that he has not based it on the reality of the Scriptures, but rather on vain deceits.

For example, on page 302 he declares, "I do not think we are naturally able to hurt each other." This may seem nice, but it falls flat in comparison to the weight of scriptures: "There is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10) "Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts." (Psalm 28:3)
We are inherently wicked, and there is nothing good within us. We are sons of perdition, dead in our transgressions and sins. But thanks be to the Lord, who frees us from this death, Who brings us from death into life.

Also, Claiborne does not distinguish between believer and unbeliever in his teachings. He quotes Jesus saying, "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me," but he omits the phrase "my bretheren." Not all are called Jesus' bretheren, but only those who are given the right to be called the Sons of God. The sinner is not the brother of the saint, for death cannot be equally yoked with life. Our call is to protect our bretheren, our families in Christ.

Claiborne never once speaks of working to save souls; in fact, he degrades such teachings. It was Claiborne who said, "We were not interested in a Christianity that offered these families only mansions and streets of gold inheaven when all they wanted was a bed for their kids now." He believes that Jesus is inherent in the poor, and that the rich are inherently unChristian, by virtue of their riches, a view expressed multiple times throughout the text.