Most days I don’t think that I am the ideal youth pastor. Partially because I’ve never dyed my hair but some of the other stereotypes apply. Anyway, I don’t think I make a good conservative, liberal (theologically, politically), whatever. And though I’m very interested in the emergent conversation, I’m probably not that good of an emergent (haven’t read enough Descartes, Barth should I go on?).
Regarding the emergent interest, aside from sharing these thoughts with my circle of friends, I’ve tried to keep it low-key. Not in a shameful sense but because sometimes the conversation itself seems to become too much of a distraction. That and I don’t feel “qualified” to speak about it. (Which hasn’t really stopped me if I am being truthful).
I’ve been in two conversations this week basically asking, “Where do I get started in wanting to know if this thing is biblical/right/good/____ or not?” I almost felt like Peter when the jailer asked P&S, “What must I do to be saved?”. One was in my church hallway, the other was in class (I attend Biblical Seminary). Those that were there can testify that I tried not to say anything, but after 10 minutes, it was like a “fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary of not holding it in.” (Yes, people like me, read, apply and love the Scriptures).
These are my quick bullet point thoughts regarding an intro into the emergent conversation. (Though there’s always more then three points, I’m being a good Bible preacher by only giving you three).
1. If all you know of postmodernism is from Chuck Colson, Ravi Zacharias (men who I respect very much and I am not being sarcastic) and others then try to either unlearn the idea that postmodernism equals the relativism described by that mentality. As I found, you must expand your education of postmodernism in order to appreciate it and gain an understanding of it.
2. Try not to think of it in terms of conservative versus liberal. Some have accused it of being today’s liberalism repackaged. I consider myself to be generally conservative (as in belief in literal resurrection, embrace the idea of inspiration, love the trinity) and I’d like to say that part of the problem is that whenever we, conservatives, encounter a liberal, we are too quick to break fellowship. We leave the table, thereby creating a “liberal table”. This is a conversation and it’s one that participation is encouraged, welcomed, and needed. On a side note, one of the hallmarks is the desire not to break fellowship – I love that.
3. So much more to say, but there’s a beautiful humility that you need to experience.
For a brief intro, I encourage you to read, Scot McKnight’s “5 Streams of the Emerging Church”.
If you have $20, pick up Tony Jone’s New Christians at Barnes and Noble or here at Amazon. It’s a user-friendly, honest perspective of the emerging church movement. Read it twice, have every intention of blogging by perspective about it. Til that day, you are encouraged to read it for yourself.
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