MacArthur says emerging church dangers go far beyond 'style issues'

[Sing4Him]

We've had numerous commendations on MacArthur's book! PTL!

[RachelsDream]

Excellent OP.....we need to hold onto THE Truth...firmly.

[JoelH]

We've had numerous commendations on MacArthur's book! PTL!

MacArthur is recommended by those who are Reformed in their theology. I'm not Reformed myself, but I think he is spot on on this issue alone that those of us (who believe free grace position is the biblical teaching) will reach the same conclusions as him. This is a benchmark to check who are truly Reformed, and who just wear "Reformed" as a label :heh.

[Sing4Him]

those of us (who believe free grace position is the biblical teaching) will reach the same conclusions as him

Absolultely, Joel!:nod

[Harley]

I posted my critique here. (http://christianresearchnetwork.info/2007/06/28/the-truth-war-by-john-macarthur-a-critique/)

Harley

[Sing4Him]

:idunno

pro-emergent.. so what else is new.

No substance to salvation in Emergent-postmodern doctrine. none-- :popcorn

[Sing4Him]

This says it all:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God 1 Cor. 1:18

[JoelH]

"To change doctrines to keep up with the times" is a very ancient heresy, one that which even the Catholic church has officially condemned. Today's pundits of "the emergents are not wrong in the sense that they recognize the need to engage..." types sound eerily like the proponents of social gospel like Walter Rauschenbusch 100 years ago. Social gospel was first touted as "the need to make church staying relevant in the modern age" and look at where it had led to the like of the UCC or ECUSA?

[Harley]

:idunno

pro-emergent.. so what else is new.

No substance to salvation in Emergent-postmodern doctrine. none-- :popcorn

This is not an "Emergent" example, but it is an example of an "emerging" church.

Regarding salvation they believe:
About Salvation We believe that all people are created with dignity and great value in the image of God. That people were created to live in a thriving relationship with God. However, through our sin (failing to live by God’s moral standards), we break our intended relationship with God and we experience the sad consequences of that broken relationship, both spiritually and socially. However, because of God’s love for us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from those consequences and to restore our broken relationship with God, through Jesus´ death on the cross, a perfect act of redemption for each of us. We receive the free gift of forgiveness and are spiritually reborn through repenting (changing our mind and heart) of our sin and placing faith in Jesus alone.
Let's see...

sin - check
broken fellowship with God - check
spiritual and social consequences* - check
Jesus sent to rescue - check
Death on the cross - check
repentance and faith as necessary - check
Jesus alone - check**

So, here is an emerging church (http://vintagechurch.org/VFCDoctrinal%20Statement.pdf)that proclaims: Mankind as inherently sinful and separated from God; God initiated and provided rescue by sending his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross as a perfect act of atonement; This gift is free and is received through repentance and faith; Faith in Jesus alone.

*(they don't mention the word "Hell" but do say "We do believe there are a literal heaven and hell and that one day Jesus will return,..." in another portion of the statement)

**(this is particularly significant given the oft repeated claim that emerging churches are inclusive to the expense of Christ's uniqueness)

[Harley]

:idunno

pro-emergent.. so what else is new...

Not so much "pro-emergent" as it is anti-sloppy attacks and manipulative hit pieces..."

Call me what you will, "walking in darkness" a "promoter of false teachers" --- but hear me say (or more accurately, read me type) I am not pro-emergent!