| Author | Message | ||
| Segue Registered user Username: Segue Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2006 |
I coordinate an monthly area meeting for those who are interested in the emergent church. The group includes pastors from many different denominations who want to be part of the 'conversation'. Some have labeled the emerging churches a 'movement' and, in some ways it is leaning that way, but primarily it is all about having an open-minded conversation among people of many Christian traditions. The times we live in allow more questioning. Truth doesn't need to be 'defended'. Open discussion allows for truth to percolate to the surface. As soon as any organization feels the need to protect a practice or belief from open discussion, I think we need to call it into question. The emergent folks believe we are at a time when Christians need to re-examine every aspect of belief and practice to make sure it truly does conform to biblical teachings rather than merely to traditional opinion. The life and teachings of Jesus becomes the anchor for all truth. What do you all think. | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 71 Registered: 11-2004 |
I agree Segue that we must focus on the Bible rather than the traditions of men. Sometimes traditions are so deeply intrenched that distinguishing that is not Biblical may be harder to do. I think keeping an open mind is important especially for people who come from a background where you had the "truth". I do believe there are absolutes we can have in our core beliefs though. What type of discussions do emergent folks have? Do they typically believe that Jesus is the only way for salvation? What is the viewpoint on reaching others with the Gospel? | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 164 Registered: 2-2006 |
Could you specifically define the 'Emergent Church' for me? It is only recently that I have come across this term; I'm not sure exactly what it is. It seems that I read a different meaning and practice from differnt sources. What if some 'traditions' go back to the early Christians, even the OT (I'm not talking about legalism/law in the OT), which modern Christians call 'traditions of men'? Appreciative of any insight you can give me, Cathy | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 555 Registered: 1-2003  |
Definition: (Encyclopedia): "a label that has been used to refer to a particular subset of Christians who are rethinking Christianity against the backdrop of Postmodernism.... Emerging Church groups have typically contained some or all of the following elements: =Highly creative approaches to worship and spiritual reflection. This can involve everything from the use of contemporary music and films through to liturgy or other more ancient customs. ... =A flexible approach to theology whereby individual differences in belief and morality are accepted within reason. =A more holistic approach to the role of the church in society. This can mean anything from greater emphasis on fellowship in the structure of the group to a higher degree of emphasis on social action, community building or Christian outreach. =A desire to reanalyse the Bible against the context into which it was written...." Psalm 119:11 Hope this helps? Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1928 Registered: 3-2005 |
Segue, I guess I would be interested in more information on what you mean by emergent. Brian McClaren is the leading advocate of this movement and he wrote a book called "A generous orthodoxy". I have heard him interviewed on the radio, and I am somewhat concerned about what I hear him saying. He seems to want to change the terminology of Christianity. For example, "Justification by faith alone" would be a term he would want to toss out. D.A. Carson has written a balanced critique of the emergent church movement in this article: http://www.modernreformation.org/dac05emerging.htm I would be interested in hearing more of your thoughts on this. Stan | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 101 Registered: 4-2006  |
Its an interesting subject for me, because I think my Church, "‰rhus Valgmenighed" in Denmark is influenced by the emerging church movement. Though we cannot realy change our statements of beleif sine we are part of the Church of Denmark, Lutheran/protestant. |
