It's been over 2 years since I posted to this blog, but a recent comment regarding the blog suggests that I should clarify a couple elements.
1. The blog refers to missional, emerging and emergent to refer to churches engaged in service and relevance in the community rather than the Emergent Church, led by Brian McLaren and others).
There is a quote regarding this in a post: Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives. Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities. (http://dmatmbc.blogspot.com/2007/09/defining-missional-and-emerging.html).
McLaren and the Emergent Village include some doctrinal and practical elements that I do not embrace, so if you're wondering, read what I write and take that to be my understanding. This blog primarily is focused on challenging myself and other Christians to be more active in the world to be an influence of reconciliation (2 Cor 5).
2. Emerging means "coming forth" and at the time of the writing of the blog, this term was not attached to a particular system of Christology as it now is. I am not going to labor to change the language used in the blog to distinguish this. In this blog, "emerging" is used interchangeably with missional and emergent primarily because our conversations were engaging the terms in similarly.
The articles in the blog are meant to point us to consider how the church can be relevant in a post-christian society like we encounter especially among those under 30. I shouldn't have to make this defense, but after a re-read of all the articles, I believe that the issues discussed are important for the church to discuss and grapple with.
I am always happy to discuss these with anyone if my reading of the Scripture is in error. Thanks!
-Derek
Friday, January 15, 2010
Clarity
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6 comments:
I am in agreement with you on what you say you are behind..but your theology is part of the New emergent "christian" church that is downplaying the cross and leading people to beleive that they are saved because they are good people that help others and serve..the paridgm shift has happened and you are part of it.
what about studying God's word ie growing so that we can be obedient to HIS WORD..not the words of men. When we are growing from reading and studying his word..others seek him thru our actions etc. Then we talk to them about the Cross and lead them to salvation as Christians...where has that word gone?? The bible teaches that in the end times there will be false teachers that "tickle our ears"..the path is narrow not wide! God's word has always been relevant!
Then what would you call yourself? Christ Follow does not mean the same thing as Christian.
Then what would you call yourself???
I agree that Christ-follower does not mean the same as Christian. I think that Christian perhaps is a broad descriptor of people who would identify themselves as part of Christian religious beliefs. A Christ-follower would be a little tighter definition for people who are centered on wanting to live out the things that Jesus said to do: Great Commandment, Great Commissions, Golden Rule, and way more.
I would consider myself to be both of those, but I would clearly acknowledge my inability to live up fully to the teachings of Jesus.
Found a couple more "Anonymous" comments. Since I use my name, it would be respectful for you to use yours as well. Thanks!
I don't believe that my theology is downplaying the cross because my theology is all about the cross and Christ crucified on it (1 Cor 2:1-2). I believe, teach and proclaim that Christ was born of the virgin birth, fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died to pay the penalty due to us for our sin, descended to lead captives in His train, rose again to life, and ascended to the right hand of God, where He awaits the due time for His second coming.
I'm thoroughly orthodox in my theology and seek to be relevant in regard to how the truth is presented, but never with the message of truth. If anything that I state in this blog makes a declaration of theology that is not orthodox, please quote it to me.
We may have difference in style, and Christians have many styles in how truth is presented. However, I never want to be in error about the nature of Christ nor do I want to bring any reproach to the Lord by somehow discounting the importance of Christ's sacrifice.
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