The Emerging Emergents
I’ve been reading through the book “Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches: Five Perspectives“. I normally don’t have the patience for this kind of thing, but since it has impacted the church in such a cumbrous way, I felt the need to “listen” to those who identify with this movement. I’m attempting to get into their head a bit–without making scrambled eggs of my own brain.
Mark Driscoll ends up being the true hero of the book. The other contributors represent varying extremes within the movement–from lightly Evangelical (John Burke/Dan Kimball) to thoroughly liberal (Doug Pagitt/Karen Ward) (and out of the mainstream of Evangelicalism). Mark stands firmly in the Reformed end of the spectrum. His essay on the Scriptures, the Trinity, and the Atonement are excellent. It’s fascinating to read the others reaction to his essay. It smacks with everything that they don’t like–certainty, conviction, and orthodoxy. When the light of the Word is presented to them (most) scramble around not knowing what to do with themselves.
I’ve had a lot of good discussions with some Emerging folks on the web. Unfortunately, the results are usually the same. They first accuse me of being angry (for challenging their beliefs) and then accuse me of trying to ”control” folks with theology and the Bible. Trying to get them to affirm beliefs is kind of like wrestling a greased pig. It only futhers my conviction that the movement is dangerous to the faith. It has a low view of God and an even lower view of the Bible.
Here’s a handy dictionary of terminolgy, that you can use, before talking with an Emerging person (link here). It’s meant to be humorous, but it’s not too far off the mark. Enjoy.
Hero? I didn’t know hero status was on the line.
:0)
Sorry Doug, but Driscoll, once again, stole the show. Good, sound theology wins this round!
As I have stated before… It is clear that those in the emerging church love culture and community more than the Gospel and Jesus. While I believe that these guys are Christians and have a heart that is genuine, I still cannot get past the fact that many of them have embraced a Gospel that isn’t grounded in Scripture, but a Gospel that is grounded in the guise of loving people. Absolutely, loving people is commanded and is fruit of a regenerated life. But it is secondary to loving God and His ways. I think that many in the ‘emerging’ church have got it turned around.
Doug Pagitt and Karen Ward’s essays did not fall in line even with “basic” Evangelical doctrine. I’m going to be posting on each essay very soon. I’ll start with Pagitt’s, since his is probably the worst (it’s a close call–Ward’s was really really bad as well).
I would be comfortable in stating that only 3 of the contributors could be called Evangelical. Dan Kimball stayed in–barely. While John Burke and Mark Driscoll passed with flying colors.