Links to Every Section of This Study
The following works like a table of contents to this blog. You can always start from here and work your way through the entire presentation. Welcome!
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Welcome!
10 Apr 2006
On Monday, April 10, 2006, I delivered a paper detailing my research into "The Emergent Church" for a local Pastor's Fellowship. The meeting was attended by many different folks, some involved in the emergent movement and others just ...
Introduction
10 Apr 2006
“Have you heard of this ‘emergent church?’” “Do you have any idea what it is all about?” “What is a ‘missional?’” “What about this McLaren fellow, have you read his books?” These kinds of questions have been asked of me (and perhaps of ...
Defining the Indefinable?
10 Apr 2006
What is Emergent? Nailing Jell-o to a wall. Stapling wet noodles to the ceiling. You will have about as much success attempting these things as you will at defining Emergent.[1] To begin with, you have to decide what to classify it as; ...
Persons, Churches and Organizations Strongly Associated with ...
12 Apr 2006
Since EC is a movement among many individuals that crosses virtually every denominational boundary, it would perhaps be helpful to identify some of the more prominent individuals. Most folks by now have heard of Brian McLaren. ...
Where Emergent is Good
13 Apr 2006
Diagnosis of One Particular Form of Evangelicalism One of the skills of an excellent physician is the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose the illness. EC certainly has some good diagnostic skill.
Where Emergent Goes Bad (1) - Over-generalization
14 Apr 2006
The Steady EC Diet – Over-generalization and Guilt-by-Association Brian McLaren paints with extremely wide brushes. He categorizes people and movements with the accuracy of one of those extra-wide rollers you can buy at Home Depot! ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (2) - What Defines a "Christian?"
16 Apr 2006
... and repenting of them is overly simplistic and I propose accomplishes no actual good. Holding them up as proof that we Christians continually get things wrong and need to be always re-inventing, or emerging is plainly misleading. ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (3) - Historical Revisionism
19 Apr 2006
Historical Inaccuracy – Purposeful Revision? This leads us to another habit which is commonplace in EC. My own opinion is that the majority of EC authors are given to purposeful revision of historical matters to suit their own ends. ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (4) - Some (like McLaren) Open the Door to ...
20 Apr 2006
I am not aware if McLaren has actually denied being a Universalist. He certainly never comes out and states that he does believe every person will eventually go to heaven, but I will offer a few extended quotes to demonstrate why so ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (5) - Confusion Over Homosexuality and Post ...
22 Apr 2006
The first part of the issue is summarized in this posting by Driscoll on the Leadership Journal’s “Out of Ur” blog: Well, it seems that Brian McLaren and the Emergent crowd are emerging into homo-evangelicals. ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (6) - Should Belonging Precede Believing?
24 Apr 2006
Some have argued that EC is fundamentally an off-shoot of the seeker-sensitive movement so popular in the last decade.[1] This is no where more clear than in the EC desire to allow people “in” before they “believe. ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (7) - Turtling
25 Apr 2006
Warning: for non-Canadians this illustration may not make sense. In the code of honour in hockey, it is the duty of Player B to stand up and fight when challenged by Player A. Player B may not be a fighter, and may even be injured in a ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (8) - Too Many Words
29 Apr 2006
Some of these words aren’t even real words (“missional,” “emergent,” and “liminal” all come to mind), just made up phrases and verbal adjectives that make the outsider wonder if EC isn’t just really a collection of angry artists and ...
Where Emergent Goes Bad (9) - "Me" the Final Authority
1 May 2006
Finally, I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that for McLaren and many other EC folks, the final source of authority for their opinions are... themselves. McLaren’s Generous Orthodoxy is proof in the pudding. ...
Why Such Momentum and Where is it Leading?
2 May 2006
Before I attempt an evaluation of EC, one question begs to be answered: Why is EC so popular? All these blogs and websites give the impression that EC is taking over the world. Okay, that is alarmist, but it is clear that the movement ...
The First Step Toward a Solution
3 May 2006
This paper is already very long and I am fearful that rushing to a solution will not do justice to a topic that needs much more consideration. Just coming to an understanding of what EC is and where it is going is difficult enough ...
Appendix One: Does Emergent/US Embrace Practicing Jews as Fellow ...
6 May 2006
Emergent-US leaders Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones were full participants in a Jewish Emergent Dialogue called Synagogue 3000. From the website: S3K – Synagogue 3000 is a catalyst for excellence, empowering congregations and communities to ...
Appendix Two: Was Jesus Purposefully Confusing In Order to Lure ...
11 May 2006
Much of McLaren’s “Secret Message” is based upon the idea that Jesus told obscure parables in order to lure people into following Him. From this premise, he goes on to suggest that we ought to do the exact same thing. ...
Appendix Three: Names, Groups and Events Associated with Emergent
13 May 2006
He is the coauthor (with Eddie Gibbs) of Emerging Churches: Creating Christian ... He is also the president of Emerging Leadership Initiative (ELI), a non-profit ... Tony Jones is the national coordinator of Emergent US, a growing, ...
Closing Thoughts: Timeless Words on Emergent from CH Spurgeon
19 May 2006
Excerpts from “The Need of Decision for the Truth” A College Address, by CH Spurgeon From the March 1874 Sword and Trowel Magazine We have a faith to preach, my brethren, and we are sent forth with a message from God. ...
