Bible Question:
Does anyone have an opinion on the so called, "Emergent Church?" I ask because I happen to attend a church that when I join was simply another church which happened to grow very fast, had a gifted teacher, etc... But nothing spectacular. Since then, over the past few years, the gifted teacher has become very well know, almost an icon in the so called "Emergent Church" movement, although he has never claimed that our church was an "Emergent Church." Needless to say (unfortunately) he has been attacked by several Pastors around the country. My stance among those I meet is that I am not responsible for defending my pastor or church against comments. I will talk and listen, but I am not ever going to get "defensive" and try to argue for a point. I will clarify and ask why they think what they think, but I won't get drawn into an argument. It has bothered me, however, to see that so far every critic I have read or heard has gone to the level of revering to my pastor as "Satan’s agent" or "a clear Heretic" etc... Not one critic I have read so far has refrained from using such vitriolic statements which I interpret as meaning they are so afraid that their critic isn't strong enough on content that they have to use stupid statements to try and reinforce their ideas. One pastor even stated that since my pastor's following was so large, he obviously was not of God and used the same argument to refute Rev. Billy Graham. I’d love to discuss this topic with some of you, since I have anonymity here, and I would like to know what gifted people like you all think. MJH |
Bible Answer: Greetings MJH, I don’t have a clue as to what the “Emergent Church” is or even if such a situation is prevalent today. I don’t know why one would need help in spotting, what ever it is, that would cause them to emerge if they are teaching something other then what we already have contained within the confines of the Bible? Paul pretty much zeroed in on a group that was trying to preach another Jesus, as it were. Galatians 1:7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. It’s interesting to note the way our Secrete Service trains it’s agents to spot counterfeit money. There are millions of bogus bills in circulation and it’s literally impossible to point out all of the phony money that’s going around so to save a lot of wasted time and effort the agents just know for certain what the genuine currency looks like and all the rest are counterfeits. If the church you are attending is drifting off center from the Bible then I would say they are wrong. I am having virtually that exact same scenario, in the local assembly, where I attend and as a result I am folding up my tent and moving on. When it comes to the point where I don’t feel comfortable advising a new believer to attend the church that I attend, for spiritual growth, then I would say there is a proverbial fly in the ointment! Psalm 119:160 The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting. 1 Thes. 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; Have a great day, CDBJ |