A popular website for the emerging reformation called ‘Emerging Grace’ posted something that doesn’t sit quite right within the emergent camp… how many times do I wanna say emergent/ing. Anyway, it’s all about Mark Driscoll and the problems he has with 3 guys in particular ( Those being McClaren, Pagitt and Bell) who are pretty much the movers and shakers of the Emer’s. This from a post called ‘The Emerging Streams Just got Muddier‘.
In my reading this evening I came across the fact that Mark Driscoll spoke at a southern baptist conference this weekend. The reports I read so far indicate that Mark has confirmed the southern baptists’ fears concerning the emerging church, and maybe thrown a few old friends under the bus.
From conference attendees:
“He talked about how Brian McClaren, Doug Pagitt, Rob Bell are basically sell outs when it comes to Scriptural integrity. He presented a strong case and held nothing back. Interesting stuff. Without a doubt, this is the most direct, I’ve heard Mark address these issues.
He specifically cited their views on the Atonement, views on homosexuality,rabbinical study, their influences, and theology. There were some very vivid conversations and references to the virgin Mary and McClaren’s new organization, “Deep SHIfT“.” (Travis Johnson)
Travis Johnson was the one reporting the low down on Driscoll’s take on the 3 guys aformentioned and the 3 streams of emergent. This is his brief point by point break down of the conference.
- the difference between the three streams of the emerging church (the relevants, the Emergents, and the confessional contextual calvinists).
- how that Brian McClaren, Doug Pagitt, Rob Bell are basically sell outs when it comes to Scriptural integrity. He presented a strong case and held nothing back. Interesting stuff. Without a doubt, this is the most direct, I’ve heard Mark address these issues.
- He specifically cited their views on the Atonement, views on homosexuality, rabbinical study, their influences, and theology.
- There were some very vivid conversations and references to the virgin Mary and McClaren’s new organization, “Deep SHIfT“.
- Most importantly, he spoke of how there is a generation of people on the scene now who have no historical knowledge of the Church and how we must engage them.
- If we fail to do so, the Church will continue to compete for an ever shrinking circle of angry children of liberal or fundamentalist religious people.
- Rather than embracing syncretism or sectarianism, we must practice the art of subversion.
- We must follow Paul’s example in Acts 17 and “Go and see” the world. We must understand our culture and speak effectively to it whil remaining faithful to the message of Jesus.
Nice!
Meanwhile the Pyro guys have noted that there are definitely two ‘Different Gospels‘ which are becoming all the more self evident as time goes by. Crazy but true … they have noticed that the line in the sand is being drawn, however cautiously.
Praise God I say! I wonder if we are witnessing a post-emergent move about to happen, as Phil notes…
However you look at it, this has been a seriously hard week for the Emerging/Emergent conversation. I’m thinking of trying to trademark the name “Post-Emergent,” because I think it’s going to be really, really useful very soon now. @Pyromaniacs
I hope you’re right Phil!
Pehaps we can call those who post- emerge — Po-Emers or PoMers — still holding onto that whole ‘PoMo’ theme so they don’t feel quite so outed!
Filed under: Christianity, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, RENOVARE, Religion, Spiritual Formation, Theology, discernment , , Atonement, Christianity, discernment, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, new reformation, philosophy, Theology
It will be interesting to see where it goes from here. It was only a matter of time.