There is a lot about the mode and the mood of the emergent church movement that is refreshing. It's energy, sincerity, innovation, inclusivity, and youthful go-getterness. I also appreciate the impact some of its speakers and videographers have had on my some of my older children. It definitely speaks in the vernacular of our day. One of the videos about the feminine images of God in Scripture even seems lifted, line by line and verse by verse, from a talk I have been giving since 1991 (make no mistake, I'm sure it is not:). All truth is God's truth and the Bible is God's word.
So what is my deal? Do I even have a 'deal'? I don't know. Well, I guess I do have a 'deal' but it's not the sort of deal that you'd think someone like me would have. I have a 'truth in labeling deal'. I like to know what's in the stuff I eat and if it's not "maple syrup" it should say "artificially flavored high fructose corn syrup" on the label. That's right--that's my deal with the emergent church. It's just not true. It's not "emergent" at all--and it's not a "church".
I think that when we talk about spiritual things and God things and Jesus things we should speak the truth in love and if we are going to call something by a name it should, indeed, BE that which it represents--"emergent and church".
We could sit and split theological hairs until we had our panties all up in a wad and all turn blue for lack of oxygen about the theology. Come to think of it, I think many of us in the church have. I think it's time to collectively breathe. For my part, after at least 10 years of observing and even being at least a small part of this movement here are my very humble thoughts:
First, my background. My Roman Catholic heritage informs my thinking. This movement looks very familiar to me. I grew up in the Archdiocese of Detroit attending St. Aiden’s Parish in Livonia, MI. My priest at the time is now the Archbishop of Seattle, Fr. Alex J. Brunett. And I was confirmed in the faith by none other than Bishop Tomas Gumbleton. Google them. Interesting folks of historical import. I'll come back to this in a moment.
That is why I know this stuff is not new. This is not “emergent”. This is not a sweeping movement ushering in a great change in church history. Sure there are ebbs and flows in the tides of pop cultural christianity all the time. Those of us who have been around long enough are sea sick from the roller coaster ride of expansion and contraction as old ideas are passed off as new again and again as yet another generation or another denomination tosses them about as new and radical ad nauseam . Whether or not the idea is meritorious in and of itself, at least properly acknowledge the historical moorings of these ideas (or “theologies/anthropologies”) and give credit where credit is due. We all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, for better or for worse. We must think deeply,research thoroughly, beyond just our immediate point in history and cultural subgroup before we form our world view and then try to mass market it to others.
The reason it looks familiar to me is because….it is! Strikingly so. I've listened respectfully and carefully to the sermons, read the books. The "emergent church" is simply Vatican II for Protestants. Oh, yeah, five decade later! Oh my goodness, fellas. Go get the docs. Read them. I did, in their entirety. Once when I was a sophomore in high school and then once more when I was a sophomore in College before I decided to leave the church for a more Biblically-centered faith tradition. I’ve heard you talking to each to other. I know you are sincere… you really are. But look up just a minute.
See yourselves and your thinking in the light of eternity and the eternal Word of God. Is there really a dichotomy between right thinking about God and right doing? Can't we have both? Don't erect straw men. You know we can. Come on you guys:) For heaven's sake look at Amy Carmichael, Mary Slessor, Gladys Alyward, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, Nate Saint. All gave their lives not only to share the saving grace of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but to also set the captives free of earthly suffering and shame as well.
But this movement also needs to be upfront with the rest of the evangelical church about their political intentions and affiliations. They should be honest and admit that the resulting theology is nothing other than “Liberation Theology” from way back–hmmm, let me see, well, come to think about it, I don’t know when, but it’s been around an awfully long time now. It was very popular in the '60's, pretty much the basis of the much older Jesuit movement. Which, you know it’s fine to be a Liberation theologian. Lots and lots of people are! They just need to say so and let people know with whom they hook up (like Sojourners, for instance, in some cases). I mean, come on…speak up. Just let the folks from whom you raise your money in our evangelical churches know what you stand for. You know,like the National Association of Evangelicals. You folks know you need them to fund you because that's where the money is...so tell them the truth. Truth in labeling.
But this movement also needs to be upfront with the rest of the evangelical church about their political intentions and affiliations. They should be honest and admit that the resulting theology is nothing other than “Liberation Theology” from way back–hmmm, let me see, well, come to think about it, I don’t know when, but it’s been around an awfully long time now. It was very popular in the '60's, pretty much the basis of the much older Jesuit movement. Which, you know it’s fine to be a Liberation theologian. Lots and lots of people are! They just need to say so and let people know with whom they hook up (like Sojourners, for instance, in some cases). I mean, come on…speak up. Just let the folks from whom you raise your money in our evangelical churches know what you stand for. You know,like the National Association of Evangelicals. You folks know you need them to fund you because that's where the money is...so tell them the truth. Truth in labeling.
So what of the "emergent church" as I see it? Well, frankly, I don't...see anything emergent (new or emerging--it's just Vatican II for protestants) and it's not a church. I call it a case of the Emperor-has-No-Clothes. I'm for truth in labeling. Let's call it "Vatican II Lite for Protestants/Liberation Theology Movement" and I'd be totally fine with it. I like calling things what they are.
But what do I know…I’m just a mom to 11 kids who stays home, bakes cookies, homeschools,stood faithfully beside her husband for years in ministry, filled the drinks of students while they talked about God, barbequed all their hot dogs, picked up their trash when they were done and prayed for them by name. I guess I'll just go back to knitting Joey's sweater now <3 This is probably the part where they say women should be seen and not heard ;)
