The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Emergent Church

There are some similarities, especially in the area of universalism, i.e., there will be those who are saved without actually hearing of Christ. But despite my disgust of Billy Graham's unbiblical semi-Pelagianism, Dillard and McClaren are in an entirely different category of heretics. I am confident that even Billy Graham would find some of their views objectionable. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

Here is a link to an article on the Banner of Truth re: the Emerging Church that some might find interesting.

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?739

Here is a recent message on the Emergent Church by James White.

Also, D. A. Carson has a series on the emergent church, which you can find (along with other resources) here. I've not listened to it yet, but James White recommended it on the Dividing Line.

Kalled2Preach

I hope your questions have been answered sufficiently.

In case they haven't, I will say that although it is good to ask questions, in fact this forum should prove that. The Emergent Church does more than ask questions, they make the Bible subjective.
One such example is, McLaren being able to embrace an evolutionary model of Genesis.

Tom

Thanks for the links, Marie. They were very helpful. I must confess I spent WAY too much time listening and following links today, but I am getting a better grasp on this "movement" (kinda like catching a greased pig in some ways. . .)

This thread has deffinitely been helpful. My reading on the topic had only been minimal and the few things I had read didn't show the aspects of it shown here. I thank everyone for their responses.

As you have noticed, not everything is as it seems on the surface.

Tom

I must say that if I hadn't studies issues like Sola-Scriptura before I came across information on this (especially my daughter's book), I am not certain I wouldn't have seen merit in this movement.
That is a scary thought.
Lord I pray you would grant discernment for all Your elect.

Tom

Exactly. But I'd say that the sufficiency of Scripture would be the biggest nail in the coffin of the emergent church.

That leads me to a question I am going to post in a new thread.

Yeah. I do see a redeeming value to it though. I really think churches would do well to incorporate more true fellowship among the believers and love for unbelievers. And that is something that I see as a strong point, although misguided in its application, in the emergent church.

How is that done? By drawing nearer to God together as individuals and as a body, thus drawing closer to one another. If you eject truth out the window and instead "dialogue" with another, how if that going to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Yes I know what your are saying. McLaren and other emergent writers do bring up some good things like this, BUT then he says other things that force a true, discerning Christian to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Do you see how he is a wolf in sheeps clothing?. Your example of some of the "good" of the emergent church is the sheeps clothing. This is what is going on in my church. Our pastors see the good things McLaren is saying, but they are just blind to the more important things he "sneaks" in with the good. From all that I've read and seen, there is no redeeming value to McLaren's teachings or the stuff I've seen on the emergent church blogs and sites.

On occasion when I do see something true in what people like McLaren said, when I am obedient I use it to take stock in my own life and if I am found wanting. I see it as God's way of showing me something about myself that needs cleaning up.
But that does not mean that I use the methods of the person, to clean it up. If I did, I would only be adding to the problem.
Back in the OT days God used even evil people as a rod of correction for the nation of Israel. Even today, God can and does use methods like that.

Tom

I'm trying to understand what you are saying. I think with this author - McLaren - the issue goes much deeper than just not using his methods. Would you then say that it's ok for someone to read an author who's theology is dubious and glean for the "good" stuff in the book? I could never do that because most people I know are not as discerning as I and they won't see it. And even if one is discerning why would one even desire to read such a book. I have serious doubts whether God is using this man in any capacity. I have serious doubts whether he is born again. I'm trying to understand your comment about God using even some "evil" people for His purposes as you bring up, but for some reason I don't think that applies here to McLaren.

Janean,

I'm with you on this one! There are more than enough good books and authors out there to read, than one has time for, and to waste time reading bad stuff trying to find "something" good in them, is a waste of one's time. It's like looking for "good" in the world, not to be found!!!!!!!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bash.gif" alt="" />

In His Hands,

Ruth