Tuesday, March 27, 2007

calvinists, postmodernism, and beer ... oh my!

The title of this post sums up three of the greatest fears SBC leadership are facing. The Baptist Press recently published an article laced with ignorant fear, revealing the efforts to which the leadership are struggling to grasp to their traditions irrelevant to cultures not their own. No wonder the word emerging makes them squirm.

In response, Tom Ascol addresses these concerns here in a helpful post at Founders Ministries Blog.

If you're interested in differing views of the theology of the movement, I recommend reading this (excerpts from the book Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches).

(note: Do not confuse emergent with emerging. Emergent refers to a small group within the Emerging Church Movement that is noted for not embracing orthodox theology.)

5 comments:

mike said...

Nice definition/distinction to make there sweetheart.

Neil Cameron (One Salient Oversight) said...

Sound like the distinction between "Trekkers" and "Trekkies"...

... sweetheart.

ckjolly said...

OSO - As a trekkie
(Mike loves me anyway), I don't think that your comparison is a fair assessment.

My church is part of Acts29, a church plant network that is often associated with the Emerging Church Movement.

But before one lumps everyone within the ECM into on tidy box (often viewed negatively due to the loud voices of a minority) ... read this doctrinal statement in which what they believe and DO NOT believe is clearly laid out.

"Because Acts 29 is often associated with other movements we frequently get questions about emerging theological controversies. To help clarify our beliefs we believe it may also be helpful to declare what we do not believe. In stating what we are not, we do not seek to attack those who disagree with us, but rather distinguish ourselves so that pastors considering joining our network are aware of who we are, as well as who we are not."

Also, their statement concerning alcohol might be of interest.

Neil Cameron (One Salient Oversight) said...

No disagreement intended.

Anonymous said...

I always love looking at doctrinal statements:

We believe that our mission is to bring people into church so that they can be trained to go out into their culture as effective missionaries.

I like this - very balanced. A lot of people diss the idea of bringing people into church these days, but it a vital component of the mission. Of course, all this is in order for God to have a holy people for himself.

We also believe that God in His unparalleled love and mercy has chosen to elect some people for salvation.

I do, however, believe that it is appropriate to evaluate doctrinal statements according to what they don't say, and in neglecting the doctrine of reprobation, this one falls short of really being "Reformed".

We are not eschatological Theonomists

I'd love to know what this means - "postmillenialists"? If so, I would hate to be a member of a church that excluded that position.

...but most of these statements are ones to which I can say "Amen!"