1. The Emergent Church: Emergence or Emergency? Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

2. Biblical Warnings Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps clothing (Mt. 7:15). Many false prophet will rise up and deceive many (Mt. 24:11). Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter days many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 Jn. 4:1).

3. Naming Names Hymenaeus (2 Tim. 2:17) Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17) Demas (2 Tim. 4:10) Alexander (2 Tim. 4:14) Diotrephes (3 Jn. 9)

4. Emerging Figures In the Emergent Church Brian McClaren Stanley Grenz Some Other Names.… Doug Pagitt Tony Jones John Franke Donald Miller Some Other Names.… Doug Pagitt Tony Jones John Franke Donald Miller

5. An Emergent Manifesto Doug Tony

6. Donald Miller Brian McLaren said: I can think of no better book than Blue Like Jazz to introduce Christian spirituality (a way of life) to people for whom Christianity (a system of beliefs) seems like a bad math problem…. Brian McLaren said: I can think of no better book than Blue Like Jazz to introduce Christian spirituality (a way of life) to people for whom Christianity (a system of beliefs) seems like a bad math problem….

7. Eugene Peterson of Regent College in Vancouver says it has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyans The Pilgrim Progress did for his, Dr. Albert Mohler of Southern Baptist Seminary says, This book includes undiluted heresy.

8. Outline I. Background of Emergence Stated A. Key Influence: Postmodernism 1. Death of God--Atheism 2. Death of objective truth--Relativism 3. Death of exclusive truthPluralism 4. Death of objective meaning-- Conventionalism 5. Death of thinking (logic)Anti- Foundationalism 6. Death of objective interpretation-- Deconstructionism 7. Death of objective values-- Subjectivism I. Background of Emergence Stated A. Key Influence: Postmodernism 1. Death of God--Atheism 2. Death of objective truth--Relativism 3. Death of exclusive truthPluralism 4. Death of objective meaning-- Conventionalism 5. Death of thinking (logic)Anti- Foundationalism 6. Death of objective interpretation-- Deconstructionism 7. Death of objective values-- Subjectivism

9. Postmodernism But for me…opposing it [Postmodernism] is as futile as opposing the English language. Its here. Its reality. Its the future…. Its the way my generation processes every other fact on the event horizon (McLaren, COS, 70). Why is it so important? Because when your view of truth is changed, when your confidence in the human ability to know truth in any objective way is revolutionized, then everything changes. That includes theology… (McLaren, COS, 69). Postmodernism But for me…opposing it [Postmodernism] is as futile as opposing the English language. Its here. Its reality. Its the future…. Its the way my generation processes every other fact on the event horizon (McLaren, COS, 70). Why is it so important? Because when your view of truth is changed, when your confidence in the human ability to know truth in any objective way is revolutionized, then everything changes. That includes theology… (McLaren, COS, 69).

10. Outline I. Background Stated II. Basic Books Listed I. Background Stated II. Basic Books Listed

11. Key Books by Emergent Leaders Brian McLaren, The Church on the Other Side A Generous Orthodoxy A New Kind of Christian Everything Must Change Stanley Grenz, A Primer on Post-Modernism Beyond Foundationalism Revising Evangelical Theology Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith Doug Pagitt & Tony Jones, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope Tony Jones, The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz Key Books by Emergent Leaders Brian McLaren, The Church on the Other Side A Generous Orthodoxy A New Kind of Christian Everything Must Change Stanley Grenz, A Primer on Post-Modernism Beyond Foundationalism Revising Evangelical Theology Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith Doug Pagitt & Tony Jones, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope Tony Jones, The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

12. Key Books by Emergent Leaders. Steve Chalke and Allan Mann, The Lost Message of Jesus. Dave Tomlinson, The Post-Evangelical. Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor, A Heretics Guide to Eternity. William P. Young, The Shack. See also: www.emergentvillage.com Steve Chalke and Allan Mann, The Lost Message of Jesus. Dave Tomlinson, The Post-Evangelical. Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor, A Heretics Guide to Eternity. William P. Young, The Shack. See also: www.emergentvillage.com

13. Outline I. Background Stated II. Basic Books Listed III. Basic Beliefs Examined I. Background Stated II. Basic Books Listed III. Basic Beliefs Examined

14. Introduction Not all emergents hold all of the following beliefs, Not all emergents hold all of the following beliefs, But most emergents hold most of them, But most emergents hold most of them, And all emergents belong to a movement that includes all of these. And all emergents belong to a movement that includes all of these.

15. The Apostle Paul declared: We destroy arguments and every proud argument against the knowledge of God…. The Apostle Paul declared: We destroy arguments and every proud argument against the knowledge of God…. A Response to the Emergent Church

16. It Has Self-Defeating Claims It aims at something else and shoots itself! A Response to the Emergent Church

17. A Self-Defeating Statement I cant speak a word in English. Didnt he say that in English?

18. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism

19. Anti-Absolutism Arguments that pit absolutism versus relativism, and objectivism versus subjectivism, prove meaningless or absurd to postmodern people (McClaren, The Broadened Gospel, in Emergent Evangelism, Christianity Today 48 [Nov., 2004], 43).

20. Relativism Stated: We cannot know absolute truth. Relativism Refuted: We know that we cannot know absolute truth. Relativism Stated: We cannot know absolute truth. Relativism Refuted: We know that we cannot know absolute truth.

23. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism

24. Anti-Exclusivism Missional Christian faith asserts that Jesus did not come to make some people saved and others condemned. Jesus did not come to help some people be right while leaving everyone else to be wrong. Jesus did not come to create another exclusive religion (McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, 109).

26. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Pluralism: No view is exclusively true. 2. The Self-Refutation: It claims that its view (that no view is exclusively true) is exclusively true. 1. The Claim of Pluralism: No view is exclusively true. 2. The Self-Refutation: It claims that its view (that no view is exclusively true) is exclusively true.

27. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C Anti-Objectivism (of Truth)

28. Anti-Objectivism We ought to commend the postmodern questioning of the Enlightenment assumption that knowledge is objective and hence dispassionate (Grenz, A Primer on Postmodernism, 166).

30. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Anti-Objectivism: There are no objectively true statements. 2. The Self-Refutation: It is an objectively true statement that there are no objectively true statements. 1. The Claim of Anti-Objectivism: There are no objectively true statements. 2. The Self-Refutation: It is an objectively true statement that there are no objectively true statements.

32. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism D. Anti-Rationalism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism D. Anti-Rationalism

33. Anti-Rationalism (Fideism) Grenz chided Twentieth-century evangelicals [who] have devoted much energy to the task of demonstrating the credibility of the Christian faith… (Grenz, PPP, 160). Following the intellect can sometimes lead us away from the truth (Grenz, PPM, 166). Note: Not following basic rational thought will lead you there a lot faster! Grenz chided Twentieth-century evangelicals [who] have devoted much energy to the task of demonstrating the credibility of the Christian faith… (Grenz, PPP, 160). Following the intellect can sometimes lead us away from the truth (Grenz, PPM, 166). Note: Not following basic rational thought will lead you there a lot faster!

34. Anti-Rationalism (Fideism) Because knowledge is a luxury beyond our means, faith is the best we can hope for. What an opportunity! Faith hasnt encountered openness like this in several hundred years (McLaren, COS, 173). Drop any affair you may have with certainty, proof, argumentand replace it with dialogue, conversation, intrigue, and search (McLaren, Adventures in Missing the Point, 78). Because knowledge is a luxury beyond our means, faith is the best we can hope for. What an opportunity! Faith hasnt encountered openness like this in several hundred years (McLaren, COS, 173). Drop any affair you may have with certainty, proof, argumentand replace it with dialogue, conversation, intrigue, and search (McLaren, Adventures in Missing the Point, 78).

36. Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz My belief in Jesus did not seem rational or scientific, and yet there was nothing I could do to separate myself from this belief (54). My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect…. I dont believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons. Who knows anything anyway? There are many ideas within Christian spirituality that contradict the facts of reality as I understand them. A statement like this offends some Christians because they believe if aspects of their faith do not obey the facts of reality, they are not true (201). My belief in Jesus did not seem rational or scientific, and yet there was nothing I could do to separate myself from this belief (54). My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect…. I dont believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons. Who knows anything anyway? There are many ideas within Christian spirituality that contradict the facts of reality as I understand them. A statement like this offends some Christians because they believe if aspects of their faith do not obey the facts of reality, they are not true (201).

37. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Fideism: There are no reasons for what we believe. 2. The Self-Refutation: There are good reasons for believing there are no good reasons for what we believe. 1. The Claim of Fideism: There are no reasons for what we believe. 2. The Self-Refutation: There are good reasons for believing there are no good reasons for what we believe.

38. Pluralism 1.The Claim of Fideism: Knowledge is a luxury beyond our means. 2. The Self-Refutation: We have the luxury of knowing that we cant have the luxury of knowing. 1.The Claim of Fideism: Knowledge is a luxury beyond our means. 2. The Self-Refutation: We have the luxury of knowing that we cant have the luxury of knowing.

39. There is no rational support for what we believe! An Emergent Difficulty Is there any rational support for that belief? Dr. Emergent-See Mr. Orthodoxy

40. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism D. Anti-Rationalism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism D. Anti-Rationalism

41. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (of Meaning) A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (of Meaning)

42. Anti-Objectivism (Conventionalism) Defined: All meaning is culturally relative. There is no fixed meaning. Meaning is not objective.

43. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Conventionalism: There is no objective meaning. 2. The Self-Refutation: It is objectively meaningful to assert that there is no objective meaning. 1. The Claim of Conventionalism: There is no objective meaning. 2. The Self-Refutation: It is objectively meaningful to assert that there is no objective meaning.

45. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Pluralism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (of Meaning) F. Anti-Realism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Pluralism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (of Meaning) F. Anti-Realism

46. Anti-Realism There is no objective world that can be known. Rather, the only ultimately valid objectivity of the world is that of a future, eschatological world, and the actual universe is the universe as it one day will be (Grenz, RC, 246).

47. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Anti-Realism There is no real world now that can be known. 2. The Self-Refutation: We know it is really true now (i.e., true in the real world now) that there is no real world now that can be known. 1. The Claim of Anti-Realism There is no real world now that can be known. 2. The Self-Refutation: We know it is really true now (i.e., true in the real world now) that there is no real world now that can be known.

49. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism

50. Anti-Infallibilism Well, Im wondering, if you have an infallible text, but all your interpretations of it are admittedly fallible, then you at least have to always be open to being corrected about your interpretation, right?... So the authoritative text is never what I say about the text or even what I understand the text to say but rather what God means the text to say, right? (McLaren, NKC, 50).

51. Pluralism 1. The Claim of Anti-Infallibilism: My understanding of the text is never the correct one. 2. The Self-Refutation: My understanding of the text is correct in saying that my understanding of the text is never correct. 1. The Claim of Anti-Infallibilism: My understanding of the text is never the correct one. 2. The Self-Refutation: My understanding of the text is correct in saying that my understanding of the text is never correct.

52. No one knows what the text means! An Emergent Difficulty How does he know that, if he doesnt know what the text means? Dr. Emergent-See Mr. Orthodoxy

53. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism (anti-doctrine) A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism (anti-doctrine)

54. Anti-Propositionalism Our understanding of the Christian faith must not remain fixated on the propositional approach that views Christian truth as nothing more than correct doctrine or doctrinal truth (Grenz, PPM, 170). Transformed in this manner into a book of doctrine, the Bible is easily robbed of its dynamic character (Grenz, RET, 114-115). Our understanding of the Christian faith must not remain fixated on the propositional approach that views Christian truth as nothing more than correct doctrine or doctrinal truth (Grenz, PPM, 170). Transformed in this manner into a book of doctrine, the Bible is easily robbed of its dynamic character (Grenz, RET, 114-115).

55. Pluralism The Claim of Anti-Propositionalism: Our view of the Christian faith must not be fixed on propositional truth (doctrine). The Self-Refutation: We must be fixed on the propositional truth that we should not be fixed on propositional truth. The Claim of Anti-Propositionalism: Our view of the Christian faith must not be fixed on propositional truth (doctrine). The Self-Refutation: We must be fixed on the propositional truth that we should not be fixed on propositional truth.

56. Pluralism The Claim of Anti-Propositionalism: Doctrinal truth is not dynamic. The Self-Refutation: It is a dynamic doctrinal truth (of the Emergent Church) that doctrinal truth is not dynamic. The Claim of Anti-Propositionalism: Doctrinal truth is not dynamic. The Self-Refutation: It is a dynamic doctrinal truth (of the Emergent Church) that doctrinal truth is not dynamic.

57. But Doctrine is Dynamic! Ideas Have Consequences! E = MC 2 2 Dynamic Ones!

58. Ideas Have Consequences!

59. Tragic Ones!

60. III. Basic Beliefs A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) E. Anti-Rationalism D. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) E. Anti-Realism F. Anti-Infallibilism G. Anti-Propositionalism A. Anti-Absolutism B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) E. Anti-Rationalism D. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) E. Anti-Realism F. Anti-Infallibilism G. Anti-Propositionalism

61. We must avoid making any creedal pronouncements An Emergent Difficulty Isnt that a creedal pronouncement? Dr. Emergent-See Mr. Orthodoxy

62. III. Basic Beliefs B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism I. Anti-Condemnationism (Universalism) B. Anti-Exclusivism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism I. Anti-Condemnationism (Universalism)

63. Universalism More important to me than the hell question, then, is the mission [in this world] question." (McLaren, GO, 114) Jesus reconciled all things, everywhere. Hell is full of forgiven people. Our choice is to live in this new reality or cling to a reality of our own making (Bell, VE, 146). So it is a giant thing that God is doing here and not just the forgiveness of individuals. It is the reconciliation of all things (Bell in Find the Big Jesus: An Interview with Rob Bell on Beliefnet.com). More important to me than the hell question, then, is the mission [in this world] question." (McLaren, GO, 114) Jesus reconciled all things, everywhere. Hell is full of forgiven people. Our choice is to live in this new reality or cling to a reality of our own making (Bell, VE, 146). So it is a giant thing that God is doing here and not just the forgiveness of individuals. It is the reconciliation of all things (Bell in Find the Big Jesus: An Interview with Rob Bell on Beliefnet.com).

64. 1.The Claim of Universalism: All persons (free agents) will be saved. 2.The Self-refutation: All persons (free agents) will be saved, even those who do not freely choose to be saved. 1.The Claim of Universalism: All persons (free agents) will be saved. 2.The Self-refutation: All persons (free agents) will be saved, even those who do not freely choose to be saved.

65. The Problem With Universalism When one says, All will be saved, my reason retorts, Without their will, or with it? If I say, Without their will, I at once perceive a contradiction; how can the supreme voluntary act of self-surrender be involuntary? If I say, With their will, my reason replies, How, if they will not give in? (The Problem of Pain, 106-107).

66. III. Basic Beliefs C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism I. Anti-Condemnationalism J. Anti-Inerrantism C. Anti-Objectivism (of Truth) D. Anti-Rationalism E. Anti-Objectivism (in Meaning) F. Anti-Realism G. Anti-Infallibilism H. Anti-Propositionalism I. Anti-Condemnationalism J. Anti-Inerrantism

67. Anti-Inerrantism Incompleteness and error are part of the reality of human beings (McLaren, COS, 173). Our listening to Gods voice [in Scripture] does not need to be threatened by scientific research into Holy Scripture (Grenz, RET, 116). The Bible is revelation because it is the [errant] witness to and the [errant] record of the historical revelation of God (Grenz, 133). Anti-Inerrantism Incompleteness and error are part of the reality of human beings (McLaren, COS, 173). Our listening to Gods voice [in Scripture] does not need to be threatened by scientific research into Holy Scripture (Grenz, RET, 116). The Bible is revelation because it is the [errant] witness to and the [errant] record of the historical revelation of God (Grenz, 133).

68. Biblical Errantism McClaren rejects the view that: The Bible is the ultimate authority…. There are no contradictions in it, and it is absolutely true and without errors in all it says. Give up these assertions, and youre on a slippery slope to losing your whole faith (McLaren, GO, 133-134). Hardly anyone notices the irony of resorting to the authority of extra-biblical words and concepts to justify ones belief in the Bibles ultimate authority (GO, 164). McClaren rejects the view that: The Bible is the ultimate authority…. There are no contradictions in it, and it is absolutely true and without errors in all it says. Give up these assertions, and youre on a slippery slope to losing your whole faith (McLaren, GO, 133-134). Hardly anyone notices the irony of resorting to the authority of extra-biblical words and concepts to justify ones belief in the Bibles ultimate authority (GO, 164).

69. 1. The Claim of Errantists: No human writing is without error. 2. The Self-refutation: Emergent human writing is without error when it claims that no human writing is without error. 1. The Claim of Errantists: No human writing is without error. 2. The Self-refutation: Emergent human writing is without error when it claims that no human writing is without error.

71. The Foundation of Inerrantism 1. God cannot err. 2. The Bible is the Word of God. 3. Therefore, the Bible cannot error. The Foundation of Inerrantism 1. God cannot err. 2. The Bible is the Word of God. 3. Therefore, the Bible cannot error.

72. But God Cannot Err: Jesus declared: "Your Word is truth." (Jn. 17:17) Hebrews affirmed: "It is impossible for God to lie." (6:18) The psalmist affirmed: "The sum of your word is truth. (119:160) Paul proclaimed: "Let God be true…." (Rom. 3:4) "The God who cannot lie." (Titus 1:2)

73. AntiTrinitarianism: I asked him if he believed that the Trinity represented three separate persons who are also one (Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz 202). Response: There are three distinct persons (like three distinct corners on a triangle), but they are not three separate persons (like cutting off the three corners from a triangle or having three separate circles). AntiTrinitarianism: I asked him if he believed that the Trinity represented three separate persons who are also one (Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz 202). Response: There are three distinct persons (like three distinct corners on a triangle), but they are not three separate persons (like cutting off the three corners from a triangle or having three separate circles).

74. Anti-Substitutionism: The fact is that the cross is a form of cosmic child abusea vengeful father, punishing his son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a construct stands in total contradiction to the statement God is love. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus' own teaching to love your enemies and refuse to repay evil with evil (Steve Chalke, The Lost Message of Jesus, 184). Response: Isa. 53:4-5; Mk. 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18 Anti-Substitutionism: The fact is that the cross is a form of cosmic child abusea vengeful father, punishing his son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a construct stands in total contradiction to the statement God is love. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus' own teaching to love your enemies and refuse to repay evil with evil (Steve Chalke, The Lost Message of Jesus, 184). Response: Isa. 53:4-5; Mk. 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18

75. Anti-Substitutionism: The fact is that the cross is a form of cosmic child abusea vengeful father, punishing his son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a construct stands in total contradiction to the statement God is love. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus' own teaching to love your enemies and refuse to repay evil with evil (Steve Chalke, The Lost Message of Jesus, 184). Response: God so loved the world He gave His only Son (Jn. 3:16). Therefore my Father loves me because I lay down my life…. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself (Jn. 10:17-18). Anti-Substitutionism: The fact is that the cross is a form of cosmic child abusea vengeful father, punishing his son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a construct stands in total contradiction to the statement God is love. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus' own teaching to love your enemies and refuse to repay evil with evil (Steve Chalke, The Lost Message of Jesus, 184). Response: God so loved the world He gave His only Son (Jn. 3:16). Therefore my Father loves me because I lay down my life…. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself (Jn. 10:17-18).

76. Anti-depravity (Pelagianism)Some (like Chalke and Tomlinson) reject depravity. The former said, Jesus believed in original goodness. (The Lost Message of Jesus, 67). The latter said it is biblically questionable, extreme, and profoundly unhelpful (The Post- Evangelical, 126). Response: All have sinned…. There is non that does good, no not one…. All the world…[is] guilty before God (Rom. 3:10, 19, 23). Anti-futurism (Amillennialism)It has an overemphasis on the present spiritual kingdom to the neglect of Jesus future literal kingdom. It is against premillennialism. Response: Jesus prayed Thy kingdom come… (Mt. 6:10; Mt. 19:28). They shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:6). Anti-depravity (Pelagianism)Some (like Chalke and Tomlinson) reject depravity. The former said, Jesus believed in original goodness. (The Lost Message of Jesus, 67). The latter said it is biblically questionable, extreme, and profoundly unhelpful (The Post- Evangelical, 126). Response: All have sinned…. There is non that does good, no not one…. All the world…[is] guilty before God (Rom. 3:10, 19, 23). Anti-futurism (Amillennialism)It has an overemphasis on the present spiritual kingdom to the neglect of Jesus future literal kingdom. It is against premillennialism. Response: Jesus prayed Thy kingdom come… (Mt. 6:10; Mt. 19:28). They shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).

77. Anti-capitalism (Socialism)It has a social Gospel, not a spiritual Gospel with social implications. It adopts the agenda of the political left. Tony Jones said on David Chadwicks radio show that he and most of the Emergents he knew were voting for the most liberal candidate for president (6/22/08). EcumenismThe Emergent movement is a broad tent which includes numerous heresies (see above). It embraces Catholicism, and even pantheism (by some). Spencer Burke said, I am not sure I believe in God exclusively as a person anymore either…. I now incorporate a pantheistic view, which basically means that God is in all, alongside my creedal view of God as Father, Son, and Spirit (A Heretics Guide to Eternity, 195). Anti-capitalism (Socialism)It has a social Gospel, not a spiritual Gospel with social implications. It adopts the agenda of the political left. Tony Jones said on David Chadwicks radio show that he and most of the Emergents he knew were voting for the most liberal candidate for president (6/22/08). EcumenismThe Emergent movement is a broad tent which includes numerous heresies (see above). It embraces Catholicism, and even pantheism (by some). Spencer Burke said, I am not sure I believe in God exclusively as a person anymore either…. I now incorporate a pantheistic view, which basically means that God is in all, alongside my creedal view of God as Father, Son, and Spirit (A Heretics Guide to Eternity, 195).

78. Emerging Problems with the Emergent Church 1. Its central claims are all self-defeating. 2. It stands on the pinnacle of its own absolute and relativizes everything else. 3. It is an unorthodox creedal attack on orthodox creeds. 4. It attacks modernism in the culture but is an example of postmodernism in the church. 5. In an attempt to reach the culture it capitulates to the culture. 7. In trying to be geared to the times, it is no longer anchored to the Rock. 8. It is not an emerging church; it is really a submerging church. 1. Its central claims are all self-defeating. 2. It stands on the pinnacle of its own absolute and relativizes everything else. 3. It is an unorthodox creedal attack on orthodox creeds. 4. It attacks modernism in the culture but is an example of postmodernism in the church. 5. In an attempt to reach the culture it capitulates to the culture. 7. In trying to be geared to the times, it is no longer anchored to the Rock. 8. It is not an emerging church; it is really a submerging church.

79. Conclusion Not all emergent beliefs are bad. De Young and Kluck summarize it well. They have many good deeds. They want to be relevant. They want to reach out. They want to be authentic. They want o include the marginalized. They want to be kingdom disciples. They want community and life trans- formation…. However, Emergent Christians need to catch Jesus broader vision for… a church that is intolerant of error, maintains moral boundaries, promotes doctrinal integrity, stands strong in times of trial, remains vibrant in times of prosperity, believes in certain judgment and certain reward, even as it engages the culture, reaches out, loves, and serves. We need a church that reflects the Masters visionone that is deeply theological, deeply ethical, deeply compassionate, and deeply doxological (Why Were Not Emergent, 247-248).

80. To Re-title the Emergent Movement, It is not- The Emergent Church but the Submergent Church That Everything Must Change But That Nothing Essential Should Change A Manifesto of Hope but is a Declaration of Disaster Refocusing the Faith but Distorting the Faith Renewing the Center but Rejecting the Core Repainting the Faith but Repudiating the Faith A Generous Orthodoxy but a Dangerous Unorthodoxy The Church on the Other Side, But it is on the Other Side of the Church A Primer on Post-Modernism but a Primer on the New Modernism Going to Produce a New Kind of Christian by a New Kind of Non-Christian To Re-title the Emergent Movement, It is not- The Emergent Church but the Submergent Church That Everything Must Change But That Nothing Essential Should Change A Manifesto of Hope but is a Declaration of Disaster Refocusing the Faith but Distorting the Faith Renewing the Center but Rejecting the Core Repainting the Faith but Repudiating the Faith A Generous Orthodoxy but a Dangerous Unorthodoxy The Church on the Other Side, But it is on the Other Side of the Church A Primer on Post-Modernism but a Primer on the New Modernism Going to Produce a New Kind of Christian by a New Kind of Non-Christian

81. Emergent Church: New Liberalism The emergent church is the latest version of liberalism. The only difference is that the old liberalism accommodated modernity and the new liberalism accommodates postmodernity (Mark Driscoll, Confessions of a Reformation REV, 21).

82. The Emergent Church is the Submergent Church The Emergent Church is built on sand and will not stand. Christs Church is build on Stone, And it can not be overthrown. (Matt. 16:16-18) The Emergent Church is built on sand and will not stand. Christs Church is build on Stone, And it can not be overthrown. (Matt. 16:16-18)

83. Works Evaluating Emergents Adler, Mortimer. Truth in Religion. Carson, D. A. Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church. Carlson, Jason. My Journey Into and Out Of the Emergent Church (www.Christianministriesintl.org) DeYoung, Kevin and Ted Kluck. Why Were Not Emergent. Driscoll, Mark. Confessions of a Reformation REV. Howe, Thomas ed., Christian Apologetics Journal of Southern Evangelical Seminary (Spring, 2008, www.ses.edu) www.ses.edu Kimball, Dan. The Emerging Church. Rofle, Kevin, Here We Stand. Smith, R. Scott Truth and The New Kind of Christian. Geisler, Norman. The Emergent Church DVD (InternationalLegacy.org). Adler, Mortimer. Truth in Religion. Carson, D. A. Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church. Carlson, Jason. My Journey Into and Out Of the Emergent Church (www.Christianministriesintl.org) DeYoung, Kevin and Ted Kluck. Why Were Not Emergent. Driscoll, Mark. Confessions of a Reformation REV. Howe, Thomas ed., Christian Apologetics Journal of Southern Evangelical Seminary (Spring, 2008, www.ses.edu) www.ses.edu Kimball, Dan. The Emerging Church. Rofle, Kevin, Here We Stand. Smith, R. Scott Truth and The New Kind of Christian. Geisler, Norman. The Emergent Church DVD (InternationalLegacy.org).

84. One of the Best Knowledgeable Balanced Well Written Good Critique Well Documented Highly Recommended Moody Press One of the Best Knowledgeable Balanced Well Written Good Critique Well Documented Highly Recommended Moody Press

85. Conclusion Not all emergent beliefs are bad. De Young and Kluck summarize it well. They have many good deeds. They want to be relevant. They want to reach out. They want to be authentic. They want o include the marginalized. They want to be kingdom disciples. They want community and life trans- formation…. However, Emergent Christians need to catch Jesus broader vision for… a church that is intolerant of error, maintains moral boundaries, promotes doctrinal integrity, stands strong in times of trial, remains vibrant in times of prosperity, believes in certain judgment and certain reward, even as it engages the culture, reaches out, loves, and serves. We need a church that reflects the Masters visionone that is deeply theological, deeply ethical, deeply compassionate, and deeply doxological (Why Were Not Emergent, 247-248).

86. Free Offer For PowerPoint Presentation The Emergent Church email: MJ@InternationalLegacy.org For PowerPoint Presentation The Emergent Church email: MJ@InternationalLegacy.org

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