Dr. James MacDonald of Walk In The Word Ministries has written an article entitled Why I’m Not Emerging: a brief response to the emergent church. As I read though his article I found myself leaving it confused and frustrated. The emerging church that I have come to know and understand is not the same one displayed in dr. MacDonald’s article. As he describes his view of the emerging church it sounds more like he’s describing the western church instead of his intended target. I think Dr. MacDonald is confused as to what the emerging church is and his article seems to regurgitate the same ideas and critiques that he more than likely found in D.A. Carson’s book Becoming Conversant With the Emerging Church.
After reading his article I have some questions. Here’s a point-by-point questioning and critique of Dr. MacDonald’s points:
Because observing the bad is not a credential for guiding us to the good
Dr. MacDonald, how do you guide someone to the good without knowing what is bad? Obviously you understand and agree with much of the critiques of western Christianity made by the emergent church when you said: “I resonate deeply with much of the criticism flowing from the emerging church against current western Christianity…” How are you expecting the changes to take place without observations of the bad? Was it not the prophets of the Old Testament that spoke of the ills and sinfulness of Israel, bringing it to light and bringing about change?
Observing the bad may not be the best credential in your eyes for guiding to the good, but is staying in the bad critiquing and condemning change-agents really a credential at all? Change-agents are often times those that see problems in an existing structure and work to make a difference, how is this not a credential to guide people to the good?
At the beginning of this point you compare the western church to the White House and the emerging church as the protestors standing outside. If this is your understanding of the church, that there is not equal footing, that we cannot sit at the same table to discuss things (which I think is the majority opinion of the western church) then I think you’re understanding of the church is in the wrong. This is problematic and shows very much why there remains an “us vs. them” attitude within the church as a whole.
Dr. MacDonald, this is a pretty weak argument.
Because God is looking for obedience to revealed truth, not just sincerity
Dr. MacDonald you seem to implicate that the emerging church has no love, desire or regard for scripture. Unfortunately you do not back up this accusation,. I would like to see your reasons for this bold statement.
In my experiences the emerging church holds scripture in high regard, but they do not view it as a god, or as God. If this is a problem for you, then you might want to recheck what scripture has to say about itself.
“Cavalier questioning of the explicit statements of Scripture regarding the necessity of the new birth, the priority of biblical proclamation or the binding authority and sufficiency of Scripture cannot build a stronger, more Christ- honoring church no matter how sincere the messengers.”
How does one learn without questions? I like what Rob Bell has to say in regards to this:
“Questions are central to faith. A question by its very nature acknowledges that the person asking the question does not have all the answers. And because the person does not have all the answers, they are looking outside of themselves for guidance. Questions, no matter how shocking or blasphemous or arrogant or ignorant or raw are rooted in humility. A humility that understands that I am not God and there is more to know.Questions bring freedom. Freedom that I don’t have to be God and I don’t have to pretend that I have it all figured out. I can let God be God.”
It seems, Dr. MacDonald, that you are advocating a faith that you swallow whole without any real critique…the same type of faith that you accuse emergents to have: “I am deeply grieved to see the emergent remedies accepted so uncritically…”
Because Christ’s is a kingdom of substance not style
Dr. MacDonald, you might also want to advocate this to western Christianity as well… do the worship wars ring a bell?
You indicate that emergent gatherings are all about candles, sitting in circles, incense and art but light on the substance. Dr. MacDonald, it seems that your understanding of an emergent gathering is narrow and stereotypical of many early generation-x services taking place in many modern, western churches. (Although these things you speak of may be taking place under the guise of “emergent”-style services, they are nothing more than a combination of seeker-sensitive principles and emergentesque style.)
Many gatherings still hold the sermon/teaching to be central to the gathering. In fact, many emergent gatherings are taking place in pubs and restaurants and homes where all they do is espouse the Jesus of the Scriptures–no candles, no incense.
because the answer is Jesus, not cultural analysis
Contextualization of the gospel is never the goal, however in order to reach the goal of the gospel it [the gospel] must be contextualized. (See Matthew, Mark, Luke and John–all contextualized to different cultures). In order to do that you must have cultural analysis.
Jesus is the answer, but often times people cannot come to find the answer of Jesus because they are held back by the culture of the church. Culture should never be a hindrance to people experiencing and knowing and following him. Unfortunately this takes place in the western church because of the unwillingness to understand the culture of the people they so desperately wish to reach. The Christian Ghetto has been formed with our own radio stations, bookstores, television stations, etc. We have chosen to separate ourselves from culture instead of trying to be redemptive agents within culture.
because Jesus is the purpose for the party, not the surprise hiding in the closet of respectability
Was it not the seeker-sensitive movement in modern, western Christianity that began hiding Jesus by removing the cross from visibility in the buildings in the name of being sensitive to the culture?
I’m not so sure you’ve got this one right either Dr. MacDonald. Jesus takes center-stage in the emergent gathering. In fact, some go so far as to take a minute at the beginning to light a candle as a symbolic remembrance of Jesus’ presence, while others maintain an chair open that is reserved for Jesus. Jesus is not hidden in the gatherings.
“Why do so many of the emerging church websites speak of God/Father and less overtly or not at all about Jesus Christ the Lord?”
As I looked at the front page of your site, since you’re so vocal about not hiding Jesus, I expected full-well to find the name of Jesus. Unfortunately, his name was nowhere to be found. As I look at many modern, western churches as well his name is no-where to be found. One could level the same argument against you and modern, western churches that you too are hiding the light under a bushel. Your critique shouldn’t be held to just the emergent church. However, if you were to look at the sermon sections of many emergent churches you would find Jesus littered throughout the titles…
Dr. MacDonald. Your critiques are welcomed, but please make sure you get your facts straight before condemning a movement, under the guise of respect, that is striving to understand God, trying to know God and experience God in deeper forms and substance all while be missional in their approaches to the people around them.
—–
I would also like to point people to John O’Keefe at ginkworld who gives a good response to MacDonald as well entitled:Why I am Emerging: A Brief Response to James MacDonald. Check it out.
Related posts:
- People’s response to A Generous Orthodoxy
- A Collective Response to Critics
- The Next Reformation
- The Jesus Creed
- Uh oh, Emergent forgot about the Purpose Driven Drivel!
