TimK from Gospel Prism was sharing about a book he received at T4G. The book Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) covers a lot of ground. “They point out some of the problems with thinking of the journey as more about experience than a destination. They argue that humility is not the same thing as uncertainty. They argue for the value of propositions, which are not a modern phenomenon. They suggest that the emerging view of modernism is often caricatured. They gently poke fun at emergent speak. They present some of their problems with the notion, “Give me Jesus, not doctrine,” and the emphasis on orthopraxy at the expense of orthodoxy. They question “whether the emerging church even has the category of theological error,” concluding that some do, but also fearing that many do not. They suggest that the emerging church has an over-realized eschatology (too much “now” and not enough “not yet”). They argue for the value of boundaries, argue that preaching should not be thrown out, and highlight some of the contradictions and problems within popular emerging books. They defend the doctrine of penal substitution, which has been dismissed by some, as well as the doctrine of God’s wrath. All of this and more.” – Darryl Dash
Product Description
?You can be young, passionate about Jesus Christ, surrounded by diversity, engaged in a postmodern world, reared in evangelicalism and not be an emergent Christian. In fact, I want to argue that it would be better if you weren?t.?
The Emergent Church is a strong voice in today?s Christian community. And they?re talking about good things: caring for the poor, peace for all men, loving Jesus. They?re doing church a new way, not content to fit the mold. Again, all good. But there?s more to the movement than that. Much more.
Kevin and Ted are two guys who, demographically, should be all over this movement. But they?re not. And Why We?re Not Emergent gives you the solid reasons why. From both a theological and an on-the-street perspective, Kevin and Ted diagnose the emerging church. They pull apart interviews, articles, books, and blogs, helping you see for yourself what it?s all about.
This is a topic our church has had to deal with (especially being associated with ACTS 29). One of our pastors tries to explain the difference between an emerging church and the Emergent Church movement but I think those who care about it have already made up their minds and are less interested in understanding the difference. B.W. Davis “Pastor – Living Acts Church” puts it very clearly in his comment about the book on the amazon website.
I am a pastor of a church in Tyler,TX that at first glance would seem Emergent due to the more modern style that we have in our meetings. As people get to know us, however, they would come to see that we are in complete agreement with these guys on all of what this book speaks about. My problem is the label that begins with Mclaren and Bell, but then leaks out onto ministries like Acts 29 (of which we are seeking affiliation) and other churches who choose to be both Reformed and Missional. My strong advice is that as people read this book they consider carefully the introduction portion and make sure that the terminology is sorted out first. If not, I am afraid that in the future, anyone seen preaching in jeans will be considered a heretic and stereotyped before they are clearly heard. The issue/concern (as this book clearly lays out) is about doctrine and truth. I recommend this book highly, but also recommend “Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Churches” as well.
