The Emerging Church by THEO

            Emerging catches into one term the global reshaping of how to "do church" in postmodern culture. While there are good as well as naughty or bad consequences of opting for a postmodern stance (and not all in the emerging movement are as careful as they should be), as Christians we can rightfully embrace certain elements of postmodernity.

            Some view the emerging church as they live with, work with, and converse with postmoderns, accepting their postmodernity as a fact of life in their world. Such Christians view postmodernity as a present condition into which we are called to proclaim and live out the gospel. Many would adapt to this view of not denying the truth, they don't deny that Jesus Christ is truth, and they don't deny the Bible is truth.

            On the other hand are some of emerging postmodernity attracts all the attention. Some have chosen to minister as postmoderns. That is, they embrace the idea that we cannot know absolute truth, or, at least, that we cannot know truth absolutely. They speak of the end of metanarratives and the importance of social location in shaping one's view of truth. They frequently express nervousness about propositional truth.

What does an emerging church really mean especially in our post modern culture? 

Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives. Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities.

            The best I would describe it as is that our church today need to be relevant to our culture and way of doing things. We need to be conservative in knowing what we believe but as to the balance of "Form & Function", sometimes we ought to be liberal. Of course being careful not to step out of what the word of God says.  

Theophiloas Daniel

Welcome to the Church and Last Things Explored (CALTEX) Station

Millard Erickson points out that at “no point in the history of Christian thought has the doctrine of the church received the direct and complete attention which other doctrines have received.” He goes on to state that “the question of the nature of the church can no longer be delayed, however.” In view of that, the church really is one of the last ‘things’ – a final frontier of sorts.

The word “church” itself is a loaded term, invoking strong emotions of scorn or love depending on the how the individual understands of it. John Phillips expresses the identity confusion prevalent today: “Most people have a poor opinion of the church. If they think of it at all, they think of the vast organized system of religion …” Phillips goes on to identify that as “not the church but Christendom”. People see the failures of Christendom and despise the church. A popular song title, “Jesus I love You but I Can’t Stand Your Wife” captures this sentiment.  Terminology cannot be ignored in this area.

That being said, ‘invoking of emotions’ could be a much preferred alternative to blatant apathy towards the church that permeates among some groups of post-moderns. The notion that “I am spiritual but not religious” seems to be the fad (i.e. ‘religious’ meaning into organized/institutionalized religion).  

           

            So, back to Millard - Could the question of the nature of church be delayed? After all, Millard does affirm, “The church is not a fixed form, but a project, a continuing task”. I presume, that if the nature of church is to be explored it should be from the point of ‘function’ and not ‘form’. The three biblical images given by Millard shed light on this: The People of God, The Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The first function of Church could speak of experiencing community, the second – of expressing Christ’s compassion and the third, about encountering God. Forms may vary greatly so let us be slow to pass judgement as we explore this enigma. With that I conclude this stop at the CALTEX station.

umeng