|
Postmodern diversity and pluralism has hit the evangelical church. One of the manifestations of this phenomenon is the Emerging Church movement. Because this movement is so diverse and so complex, it is impossible to generalize about it with accuracy. Generally speaking, those who focus on the Emerging Church positively, see a challenge to tradition and evangelical customs. Among many other things, this movement challenges the idea that church must be in a specific church building that uses traditional hymnals and has a paid staff of dozens. The movement seeks to connect with the demographics of postmodern culture, with its pluralism and emphasis on the autonomous self. It is often “grassroots-style, personal-choice focused and leader-light.”
One of the key figures of this movement is Brian McLaren, whose book, A Generous Orthodoxy, is probably the key manual for the Emerging Church. His key themes are: We must focus on “right living” rather than struggling with finer theological points of doctrine. We must agree that a more mystical approach to experiencing God is more important that cognitively trying to define Him. We must avoid arrogance when it comes to speaking to people of other faiths or worldviews. We do not have a corner on truth. For some, McLaren’s arguments are somewhat unsettling, especially when he deemphasizes doctrine and stresses “right living.” One of the Apostle Paul’s clear maxims is that sound doctrine produces godly living. Before Christians can ever “live rightly,” they must come to grips clearly and forthrightly with the doctrine of God, sin, salvation and even sanctification issues. Such doctrine does not come through osmosis; it comes from sound teaching, expository preaching and the challenge of God’s Spirit. In a very real and profound sense, Emerging Church leaders are placing the cart before the horse. You can never have right living if there is not salvation alone through Jesus Christ and the power provided by the indwelling Spirit.
Christena Brooks writes that “A common thread. . . among many emerging churches is a re-introduction of mystical ancient rites used by Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. These 21st-century Christians are creating environments for experiencing God by walking through labyrinths, conducting contemplative prayer, lighting candles and adopting ancient practices.” All of these rites are to foster meditation, a good practice advocated by Scripture. But biblical meditation calls for intentionally engaging one’s mind with God’s truth and Scripture.
The Emerging Church is difficult to pigeonhole in this Postmodern era. But any manifestation of this movement that no longer clearly preaches personal salvation, downplays the deity and uniqueness of Jesus Christ, permits the social gospel to supersede a believer’s vital relationship with Jesus, and teaches that knowing God and His truth is impossible, is to be soundly rejected. One does not want to dismiss the Emerging Church movement hastily. But God’s Word teaches us to be critical thinkers. This movement demands that we evaluate it through the grid of God’s Word, not through the mysticism of our emotions or feelings.
See Christena Brooks, Corban Magazine (Summer 2007) and D.A. Carson, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church.
|
Listen