Hey guys...
Lately, it seems everywhere I turn somebody is saying something about the Emergent Church (or Emerging Church) movement. I don't know much about it. I have heard many rumors and seen a few videos that would lead me to steer away from it but I still don't know much about it. I consider myself to be a pretty conservative Christian who believes that the church is an important part of God's plan (as laid out in Acts), I believe in God's sovereign grace, I believe in the Trinity and especially the inerrancy and infallibility of The Bible.
So...all that to say....What do you know about the emergent church? Does it line up with conservative Christian values?
1. What is it?
2. What do they believe?
3. Is it true that many of the emergent leaders believe there is more way to God than through Christ alone?
4. What do you know/think of these authors (please forgive any misspellings):
- Rob Bell
- Brian McLaren
- Margaret Feinburg
- Erwin McManus
- Mark Driscoll
- Dan Kimball
Thanks in advance for all of your information!
***Here's some information I found when I googled Mark Driscoll's name that sheds some light on the Emergent Church***
7 comments:
My brother in law and sister are actually getting ready to plant what I guess would be called an "emergent" church, since you listed Mark Driscoll, who is one of my BIL's mentors. And who will be the parent church of the church they are planting.
I'm incredibly excited for them and the ministry opportunity that they will have! As far as I can tell, it's basically the same as Reformation Theology, in that the bible was written the way that it was for us to follow directly. Not to bring our culture to the bible, but to bring our bible to our culture. Does that make sense? It's an idea of stripping down theology and realizing that all that God asked from us was that we come to know him and that we show others how much he loves them and that we are missional in our approach. We love people with the love God gives us and we introduce them to our God. Pretty simple.
My BIL has a website with alot of links that you can read. Its www.toddsmindbloggler.wordpress.com.
My hubby and I attend an Assembly of God church and were a little confused by what exactly BIL was going to be doing. To us, it actually seems like a very refreshing, biblical way to understand what God has in store for us.
I'd be curious to what you think! Oh, and I came over from the Prayer club!
This is fascinating, I'm going to ask our preacher what he knows about it. It sounds exciting though.
Well you know how I feel about Bell. I can't stand that guy. He is heretical and a wuss when it comes to Scripture. He won't come out and say what scripture clearly tells us. Instead, he waits for culture to dictate to him what is okay for scripture to say.
Margret Feingburg- booooring. (I only know about her personality really)
McLaren- Like Bell won't say what scripture clearly tells us and skates around issues by saying scripture is "multi layered" when talking about the issue.
Driskoll- I personally haven't read or heard anything that he as said that made a red flag go up for me. He considers himself Reformed in theology so I can go along with that.
I don't know much about McManus or Kimball.
You definitely need to talk to Lance. He is very learned on the emergent church, as it is mainly targeted to the generation he works with. There are some things you really need to know concerning the theology of some of those speakers and authors, before you start getting heavily involved in that "movement"
We actually attended Erwin McManus' church several times in the Los Angeles area. The church was called Mosaic. I would say that I don't think his teaching and books line up with scripture. I'm not saying I don't believe he is a follower of Jesus Christ, but there were a lot of things we saw and experienced there that gave us reason to steer clear of that church. From what we experienced, the church gathered, he showed up and then went on to preach at many other churches. There was very little fellowship, messages centered on "me," and we never could tell who were the leaders. It always concerns me when churches are more concerned about reaching the lost in "new" ways, when the Bible is clear that the Gospel is the only thing that has the power to save. What you win the with, you win the to. The church is also essential for the edification of the body. The body is supposed to function in a way that we are helping each other fight sin, confessing our sins to one another and speaking truth in love. I strongly believe that theology (the study of God) is essential. The more we understand and submerge ourselves in theology, the more we are able to share with others. Gosh, I might be too passionate about this. I hope I don't sound too negative, but I think scripture is clear about the role of the church and of those that lead the church. I've lived in Los Angeles and submerged myself into the culture. I am so sad that I didn't choose to live my life in way that was different...I was very "emergent." I am most sad that there were many missed opportunities to share the Gospel and be that light that is so badly needed in the city of darkness. I pray that more churches stand boldly for Christ and have the courage to follow the New Testament models for churches.
check out this link:
http://www.carm.org/emerging.htm
that's from C.A.R.M. - "Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry" - a ministry i've trusted for 10 years now.
Driscoll's teaching is Biblical and theologically Reformed.
McLaren's teaching...not so good...errant and derailed in many ways...
Amanda - the emerging/emergent church movement has been something I've spent a great deal of time researching over the last 18 months. You see, in April of last year, the church that my wife and I were attending merged with another church and started teaching and doing things that didn't strike me as Biblical. After talking with the new pastor, who recommended I read Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis", I discovered the problem. (As in, "duh - there's your problem!)
Anyway, without taking up a bunch of space with my opinions of the movement, let me point you to one very useful and even-handed analysis: D.A. Carson's "Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church". It explains with clarity - and often with the movement's own words (from McClaren, Kimball, Bell, etc.) - what the movement is, its strengths and its (significant) weaknesses.
That one book really helped me build a framework around which I could build my understanding - and eventual critiques - of the emergent/emerging movement. I'd be happy to share some of the results of my research - my blog sometimes talks about the movement, but probably not in the detail you're looking for...
FYI, if there's one reasoned voice in the movement, it would seem to be Driscoll. He has criticized McLaren, Bell and the like and seems to have a Biblically-based understanding of the issues. Most of the movement, however, seems to be caught up in adapting the gospel for post-modern sensibilities.
Keep digging - keep examining the Scriptures every day to see if what they say is true, like a good Berean! (Acts 17:11)
Post a Comment