Westminster Emergency

I was at the Westminster Fellowship on Monday to hear Chris Hand from Crich speak on the Emerging or Emergent Church. I have read Don Carson's helpful book but this was a useful presentation too. Chris began by suggesting that the EC is threatening to put into reverse what Paul preached at Athens. They are shifting us from the clear light of Scripture back into a twilight zone.

Much of this thinking has come from the US but is found in the UK also. A diverse grouping, it is impossible to categorise all the various elements. One of the difficulties is that they consider it a virtue to be unclear.

Chris spoke of how man involved are students of cultural trends. The very word emergent refers to culture – emerging out of modernism. He quoted a lot from Dan Kimball who is anti-modernism but pro-postmodernism. They have a low view of Systematic Theology. They see immense changes now coming in – new emphases, etc - an the church, they say, needs to change in the light of this and rethink everything. People are not asking the questions they once asked and so the old answers will not do. The EC seems happy about this.

Spencer Burke and the Ooze online community was also mentioned. He says that meanings shift and change. We must not make Scripture static. Multiple interpretations are always there. Evangelism is telling a story not something propositional. He is not keen on precision.

Candles, prayer stations and the gothic hold an attraction as does the more interactive, more flexible approach. Interruptions are good. More individualism and less structure is advocated. The use of lighting and art is encouraged and an openness to the past.

Brian McLaren (Generous Orthodoxy) is their chief spokesman. he appears keen to learn from anyone and everyone. he likes the idea of an uncertain destination. Incarnational, missional - these are key words. They are against evangelism as sales pitch, war, etc. Authenticity is another key word.

Dave Tomlinson and his book The Post evangelical (1994) is very much in this mode. Congregations include Sanctus One (Manchester); Holy Joes (we rejected the hymn sandwich and tried anything – didn't all work); Visions (York) 'A church for people who don't like church'; Broken (E Barnet); Fresh Visions(Sheffield); The Boiler Room.

Steve Chalke is also pushing this sort of thing as are others in the denominations such as Pete Gregg.

By way of critique Chris spoke of the being Rebels with a cause. They are reacting against modern ministry. We can feel quite sympathetic to some of these concerns. Burke reacted against the rat race mentality and shallow careerism. Kimball reacted to commercialism. They are against seeker sensitive services and unhappy with some of the music scene. We can sympathise with their desire for authenticity.

However, Chris was much less happy with other things.

Rejection of the truth

Because of their approach they end up doing this. There is a mischievous and misleading anti-Paul emphasis. Here and now seem more important than eternity. They have an Osmosis idea of learning from Christ. Was Christ's ministry not about establishing the truth?

Is there no truth in the Bible? Jesus was very much interested in eternal issues (John 3). He was eager to impart truth. He explained the parables. He also speaks of more to come – truth for all generations. Chalke's book is selective in its texts and interpretation. His message is adapted to the age. The parables are not what it is claimed they are. They teach doctrine. Very often two sorts idea and definite teaching. Paul not the aunt sally he is made out to be. He is not adequately explored.

Caricature of evangelicalism

We share much of their displeasure with shallow evangelicalism but there are other sorts. The problem is not propositionalism. It is a caricature to present evangelicalism as just that. There is an absence of Puritan input.

Culturally led

Too much credit is given to sociology, etc, rather than being Scripture driven. The Bible is rarely quoted. Its place as a secure foundation is ignored. They all seem to be reading the same secular books.

Uncritical of culture

They do not critique the secular materials they use. They give no warnings against false teaching, worldliness, etc. There is an idea of orthodoxy in Scripture. They muzzle the Bible so that it cannot speak as it ought to.

What kind of mission?

Given its scaling down of the truth it is difficult to see how it can make the impact Paul made in Athens. McLaren is doubtful of the message of personal salvation and more keen on a social type gospel. They have no place for penal substitution. The cross is redefined and robbed of its power.

Emphasis on experience

All are saved it seems unless they opt out.

The EC is not emerging out of or into a sound evangelical church.