Emerging Fad?
In recent correspondence between friends of mine regarding the emerging church conversation, a great friend of mine suggested that this movement is a fad. Those who read this blog often, will know that one of the things that I have explored is the topic of the emerging church.
My friend argues that the movement is weak theologically. I would suggest just the opposite. This is a movement that is struggling to embrace and live out Christ in the context of post-modern culture. It includes conservative, liberal, Wesleyans, Catholics, Orthodox, Calvinists and the whole spectrum of theological positions. These people are seeking common ground between each other and staying away from much of the denominational sniping that often takes place.
Far from being weak, these people are seeking truth and not just accepting what has been told them. They are often careful students of scripture. There is great debate among the emergents. They firmly want to test and approve what is the will and Word of the Lord. I think the issue is that they ask a ton of questions and make people nervous, because pat answers just don't work any more. They do deconstruct things to find the base of truth at the bottom of argument. They are agents of grace and not just universalists as some would suggest.
In my opinion, the emergents are looking to make the church contextual in a post modern culture, which is not a fad, but a cultural shift. They are concerned not only about what the church believes, but also how it behaves, not in legalistic terms, but in terms of connecting with the soul of society to influence for Christ.
Most of my friends who consider themselves emergents, are really wanting the best for the church. They are excited about how the tradition of caring and grace can counter act many of the traditional practices that tend to marginalize many who are outside of the Kingdom's grasp.
I see this time as one of great awakening for the church. Yes, people will cast aspersions. There will be those who believe this is a fad. I think this is what the church needs to be or we will fade into irrelevance.
I think the Booths would have been called emergents. Standing against the status quo and creating a church that fits within the context of society sounds a great deal like what the emergents want to be.
So is this emergent movement just a fad? Is it theologically weak? Am I wrong to believe this might be an opportunity for a great revival in the church and its outreach? Maybe I have swallowed some of the Dan Kimball, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt and Rob Bell Kool-aid.
What do you think?
My friend argues that the movement is weak theologically. I would suggest just the opposite. This is a movement that is struggling to embrace and live out Christ in the context of post-modern culture. It includes conservative, liberal, Wesleyans, Catholics, Orthodox, Calvinists and the whole spectrum of theological positions. These people are seeking common ground between each other and staying away from much of the denominational sniping that often takes place.
Far from being weak, these people are seeking truth and not just accepting what has been told them. They are often careful students of scripture. There is great debate among the emergents. They firmly want to test and approve what is the will and Word of the Lord. I think the issue is that they ask a ton of questions and make people nervous, because pat answers just don't work any more. They do deconstruct things to find the base of truth at the bottom of argument. They are agents of grace and not just universalists as some would suggest.
In my opinion, the emergents are looking to make the church contextual in a post modern culture, which is not a fad, but a cultural shift. They are concerned not only about what the church believes, but also how it behaves, not in legalistic terms, but in terms of connecting with the soul of society to influence for Christ.
Most of my friends who consider themselves emergents, are really wanting the best for the church. They are excited about how the tradition of caring and grace can counter act many of the traditional practices that tend to marginalize many who are outside of the Kingdom's grasp.
I see this time as one of great awakening for the church. Yes, people will cast aspersions. There will be those who believe this is a fad. I think this is what the church needs to be or we will fade into irrelevance.
I think the Booths would have been called emergents. Standing against the status quo and creating a church that fits within the context of society sounds a great deal like what the emergents want to be.
So is this emergent movement just a fad? Is it theologically weak? Am I wrong to believe this might be an opportunity for a great revival in the church and its outreach? Maybe I have swallowed some of the Dan Kimball, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt and Rob Bell Kool-aid.
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 7:22 PM
2 Comments:
What basis did your friend give for making that statement? I've certainly heard some weak theology coming from people who claim to be "emergents", but as you've pointed out, if anything, the emergent movement is about discovering theology again after years of abandoning it to canned answers that don't necessarily have much Biblical foundation, but keep our own theories, weak theology, and power plays "alive".
I chalk your friend's statement up to fear and flippancy. I'm sure he hopes its true. Fortunately, for the lost who aren't being reached by today's weak examples of "church", it's not.
I think your friend is very smart, deeply insightful and uncannily accurate.
On the other hand, he might very well be deluded.
; - )
RJM
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