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NASB | 1 Corinthians 9:19 ¶ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 9:19 ¶ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ]. |
Bible Question:
In considering what Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 9:19-20ff, how does the Emerging Church fit in? The Emerging Church (as stated by Mark Driscoll)has as it's chief emphasis, that of, "living in the tension of being culturally liberal yet theologically conservative". Can a church be both missional in it's practice and evangelical and biblical in it's theology? Does this present any problems or compromise? If so, how? |
Bible Answer: Hi Brad, I am far from being well versed with this movement. But what little I have read, it always seems to stress open-mindedness and the fact that this is needed in order to seemingly purpose a radical change within the church to make it effective in the present day. The wording is interesting in that it seems to say to make it effective rather than more effective, as if the church has no effect at all as it is currently standing. Personally, I think the Gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit is effective in any day and age. We just like to put ourselves in the way sometimes and concoct all sorts of new age or postmodern ideas that make us feel more useful to ourselves really, rather than the Lord we serve. I’m reposting an excerpt of something I shared here not too long ago that struck me. It was actually dealing with religious pluralism but the excerpt hits on the dangers of a Christian being open-minded, at least in how it is viewed currently concerning Christ’s Church. “Our enemy’s supreme deception is in his attempt to convince us that he doesn’t exist. Toward that end, he has launched his assault against us with every weapon in his carefully fashioned arsenal. Perhaps his greatest success is in persuading us that being open-minded is a good thing. For it is precisely when we accept the notion that open-mindedness is a Christian virtue that we fall into the same devilish trap by which our first parents were ensnared. Once our minds are open to open-mindedness, all ideas, no matter how absurd, can come and go as they please — with our sanction. We thus become headless and brainless philosophers who just want to get along. One such philosopher and self-proclaimed theologian has written: “So I believe we have radically to rethink our understanding of the place of Christianity in the global religious picture. And we have to face the fact that it is one path amongst others, and then reform our belief-system to be compatible with this. This is the big new challenge that theologians and church leaders have yet to face. We have to become consciously what are called religious pluralists.” This is the mantra of religious pluralists: Liberate your mind, lose your faith, and feel the love.” - Burk Parsons http://www.ligonier.org/tabletalk/2008/6/1065_Dont_Be_So_Open-minded The fact of the matter, to me anyhow, is that we are secure in Christ. We are called by Him to take the gospel message to the world. Not a message that we feel is relevant today, but His message. We must decrease and He must increase. Relevant to what I know of this movement, it seems to want to change, if not the message itself, they way it is presented and from a perspective that there are no absolutes. My question is this; how do I myself present the gospel if in it I find no absolutes? That makes it a difficult task. I get the feeling that it was the emerging church is attempting to do. That’s my take on it for now. Don’t know if it adds much to the conversation but it is the only perspective I can somewhat speak to at this point with what little I know. If they truly want to emulate Christ, they’ll preach the Gospel as it is, undiluted and uncompromised. By engaging not in absolutes and being open-minded, they do more harm than good. 1Thesollonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 1Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. It is the world that is undoubtedly changing. It is the world that must conform to the gospel, not the other way around. Our lights aren’t shining brightly if we agree to compromise the truth and effectiveness of the Word of God in an exchange for a more “worldly” church. God’s Word is forever relevant. Stand in His Grace, WOS |