Here is Brian McLaren, the key representative of the "Emerging Church" movement. He has two books published- "A Generous Orthodoxy" and the book he speaks of in this video clip, "Everything Must Change". I will try to show the basic tenets of the Emerging Church in future posts, something difficult to do as the movement is purposefully elusive.
I am showing this so that you might begin to grasp the "feel" of the Emergent Church movement. I'll live critical analysis to you for now.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Emergent Church (Part 2)
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Pop Quiz: Who said the following? Barack Obama or Brian McLaren?
A time of transition
rethinking
re-imagining
and re-envisioning
A time for asking new questions
and seeking answers
that are both new and old
fresh and seasoned
surprising and familiar
No peeking now! Give it your best guess.
Tony,
I'm not as up to speed on all this as some, but I seem to recall reading that there is a significant difference between self-titled "emerging" churches and the "emergent" church movement. IIRC, "emerging" churches are those that are more like Mars Hill in Seattle (Mark Driscole) and are quite critical of McLaren. Does Carson talk about this?
Haven't seen much of this stuff here in Des Moines. I think the local mega-church (ELCA - if you can believe it!) has something of an "emergent wannabe" service.
Good distinction Wayne. I'll clarify this in future posts. Carson does address the difference between "Emergent" and "Emerging" but notes the terms are used quite loosely still. The "movement" wasn't really acknowledged as a movement when Carson wrote his book almost 3 years ago. Lots has happened, morphed, and mixed.
On one hand there are various independent "emergent churches", on the other, there are denominational churches across the board that are starting to look the same. The biggest "Emergent Church" in KC was an EPC Church. The same thing is happening as a sub culture of various denominations. The PCA surely will be faced with this also.
It's tough when a think is not monolithic.
The only thing I could add would be the very providential January 18th, quote from the powerful late 19th Century theologian Oswald Chambers. From “His Utmost for His Highest”. “Ye shall be witnesses unto ME”--that means a life of uncompromising and unbribed devotion to the Lord Jesus, a satisfaction to HIM wherever He places us. Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. The great competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him. It is easier to serve than to live abandoned unto Him. The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him. We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in HIS battlings. Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?”
Here you go Tony, you should head on down to this place...
http://jacobswellchurch.org
Andrew,
That's the church I am referring to in the response I made to Wayne above. It started as an EPC church plant about 10 years ago.
Why does this verse come to mind when I was watching the video clip?
Matthew 7: 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
The come as you are, be who I am, it is just my relationship with Christ. I don’t need no doctrine, don’t need no creeds, don’t need no Theology, don’t dig old hymns, don’t dig all the burdens of a traditional church. I don’t need to get all right wing politico dude, all I need is what the Bible means to me, don’t need no Hebrew, don’t need no Greek, I dig my church, which is a makeshift coffee house, art and dance studio. I’m not a Catholic, or a Protestant. I am not a Calvinist or an Arminian I don’t believe in isms just a follower of Christ. After all, I know John 3:16 I prayed the prayer I’m saved dude. Oh, wait what’s this stuff about Predestination? What do you mean about being Chosen, Election, what do you mean God is Sovereign and I do not have free-will? What is this stuff that God will send people to hell for His good pleasure? Where do you get this stuff man?
That will be the one emerging from such a church.
Thank God I attend Redeemer where I know that me and my family will not be led astray.
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