The Emerging/Emergent Church

[WhitemoonG]

Kenod


Uhh, well, then who was "the man?"



What are "the myths?"




What are the defining distinctives of Christian faith?


Was "the man" a nice example of something that anybody can get a fragment of benefit from, or something much more than that?

What were his directives? Vaya and establish universal espresso centers and "conversations?" Visualize "world peace?"

Did he comment on broadly inclusivistic universally harmonious brotherly enlightened discovery and enhanced consciousness?

Or was there some comment about a narrow gate and path that few find?



Was "the man" a victim of horrific "child abuse" from God, as Steve Chalke, McLaren's British equivalent opines?



Help me here, please! After reading a bundle of McLaren and other emergentspeak, I'm having trouble seeing if there is anything to grab onto in this limitless swirling ocean, that doesn't seem to believe or purport much of anything, other than that Buddha would qualify as a "Christ follower." And that what matters most is how cool the mysteries are, and the endless PROCESS of establishing endless "conversations" that are headed for just about anywhere or nowhere!

I've come to the conclusion that in Mclaren's emergentworld, it's really nothing much more than INSTALLMENT 2 of the PEACE CORPS, with a coat of Christiany sounding spray paint, as another put it.

Nothing wrong with seeking relief of suffering, solving AIDS, feeding the poor, etc. ( and to be commended actually), but why the self congratulatory PRETENCE of connoting "social justice" itself it as some kind of a religion?



Sorry, this unending "conversation" leading to virtually anywhere and nowhere isn't what Jesus Christ and the Apostles started!

[kenod]

Kenod


Uhh, well, then who was "the man?"



What are "the myths?"




What are the defining distinctives of Christian faith?


Was "the man" a nice example of something that anybody can get a fragment of benefit from, or something much more than that?

What were his directives? Vaya and establish universal espresso centers and "conversations?" Visualize "world peace?"

Did he comment on broadly inclusivistic universally harmonious brotherly enlightened discovery and enhanced consciousness?

Or was there some comment about a narrow gate and path that few find?



Was "the man" a victim of horrific "child abuse" from God, as Steve Chalke, McLaren's British equivalent opines?



Help me here, please! After reading a bundle of McLaren and other emergentspeak, I'm having trouble seeing if there is anything to grab onto in this limitless swirling ocean, that doesn't seem to believe or purport much of anything, other than that Buddha would qualify as a "Christ follower." And that what matters most is how cool the mysteries are, and the endless PROCESS of establishing endless "conversations" that are headed for just about anywhere or nowhere!

I've come to the conclusion that in Mclaren's emergentworld, it's really nothing much more than INSTALLMENT 2 of the PEACE CORPS, with a coat of Christiany sounding spray paint, as another put it.

Nothing wrong with seeking relief of suffering, solving AIDS, feeding the poor, etc. ( and to be commended actually), but why the self congratulatory PRETENCE of connoting "social justice" itself it as some kind of a religion?



Sorry, this unending "conversation" leading to virtually anywhere and nowhere isn't what Jesus Christ and the Apostles started!

I agree with you. I hope that the words I quoted from the article were not seen as representing my point of view. I quoted them to try to demonstrate just how unscriptural I believe this 'emerging Christianity' to be.

[Christy]

WhitemoonG wrote:
Did he comment on broadly inclusivistic universally harmonious brotherly enlightened discovery and enhanced consciousness?

Or was there some comment about a narrow gate and path that few find?

You hit the nail right on the head. Emergents fail to see this important aspect.

Jesus said: I am The Way, and the Truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." John 14:6

and

Enter by the narrow gate;for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to hell, and those who enter by it are many.[/COLOR] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14

Emergents (among others) have gone and made the road to heaven easy because the Truth is very hard to swallow as it calls for crucifying one's life and probably not being popular or having too many friends. Once a person has accepted God's free gift of salvation, it's called living the crucified life and many see it as pharasaical or works. Yet living a life of prosperity, goodness, not putting one's life and very soul on the line for one's beliefs and avoiding trouble is exactly what puts most people on the wide road. There are too many spiritually fat christians in the world who don't know what hardship is, who avoid strife, love to have their ears tickled by false, easy and watered down doctrine and who think that love is a a nice big hug or kind words and not stirring the pot and this is where the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" comes to mind and I ask, "Shall we "love" them all the way to hell?" aren't we commanded to show people the TRUTH no matter how hard it is?

And at the same token we are commanded not to harbour any hatred in our hearts for ANYONE.

[grape on the vine]

Considering the Emerging Church is a minority within Christendom, doesn't using the "narrow path" verse make you stop and think just a little bit?

[WhitemoonG]

The "emerging church" isn't some insignificant minority, but rather a rapidly growing cancer that has its effects and tentacles everwhere. The booming expansion and publicity of the megachurches, with the broad appeal but very superficial substance, the "Christianity Lite" schtik is diluting out and at times making the genuine Gospel harder and harder to see or find.

It's everywhere! Laodicea baby!

[Mitsy]

I was going to quote a scripture that encouraged Christians to seek the Lord through His word. What's the use, those who are diligent are already doing this and gaining discernment. Those who are lazy are like sheep going to slaughter and lining up to get into these new age churches where their itching ears are being scratched and their wallets are certainly being made lighter as well.

I think the answer is pray. If you have friends or family going to these churches, try to encourage, them if you can, tor ead the Bible for themselves.

Thanks Sing4him for posting the article it reminds us we need to read the Bible for ourselves and remember to be praying for the Holy Spirit to help teach us the Lords Truth as we do. I certainly believe our Church leaders can teach us God word also but we need to be discerning and going back to the scriptures to check that it agrees with God's word.

Col 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

[grey havens]

I can't help but notice that "Emergent Church" has become a generic term for everything in the modern church that we don't like. Please learn about the movement (through listening to people on both sides of the divide)before you pass judgment and criticize it. The emergent church has some problems, but every church does. And for the record, megachurches are the very opposite of what the emergent church is about. Wal-mart Christianity is what they are trying to move away from.

I think the emergent church today is like "Christian rock" a generation ago. It was new and different, and unfairly demonized by the older generation when it did have some positive elements to bring. I havnt been keeping up on the emergent movement lately, but some of the the books have been quite good, with a small disagreement here and there.

[Jesse]

For those of you who don't know, Roger Oakland is planing to soon release a new book about The Emerging Church, which will be titled Faith Undone (http://www.understandthetimes.org/faithundone.shtml). If the Lord tarries, the book should be available in August, but it can be pre-ordered now. More of his research on this subject can be found through this link. (http://www.understandthetimes.org/ec/exposingec.shtml)

[grape on the vine]

The "emerging church" isn't some insignificant minority, but rather a rapidly growing cancer that has its effects and tentacles everwhere. The booming expansion and publicity of the megachurches, with the broad appeal but very superficial substance, the "Christianity Lite" schtik is diluting out and at times making the genuine Gospel harder and harder to see or find.

It's everywhere! Laodicea baby!

I'll just refer you to post #17 on this one.

Thanks Grey

[grey havens]

oops