What is the Emerging Church?
Here is a really good paper by Scot McKnight which is from a speech he gave at the Fall Contemporary Issues Conference at Westminster Theological Seminary in October 2006.
This is a must read for anyone studying the Emerging Church.
It also gives a good definition of Postmodernity.
posted by Douglas Molgaard at 4:33 AM
3 Comments:
I thought it was a really good paper, though I thought he was just a little too condescending in regards to the political views of the Emerging Church. ECers may tend to skew to the left, but it is in no way a blind acceptance of the Democratic platform. Most progressive Christians I know (myself included) have a much more developed and nuanced theology of the kingdom of God and how it intersects with and challenges the kingdoms of this world. Most are passionately committed to kingdom values of social justice, peace, and racial reconciliation, and place these commitments over any merely nationalistic loyalties. If this happens to resemble some classically liberal or progressive stances, that I think is more coincidental than a deliberate move to embrace Democrats over Republicans. Most progressive ECers that I know don't typically want to be identified with either party these days. As Jim Wallis says "God's not a Republican or a Democrat".
Mike,
I also think he pushed the political view a little to far to the left although I think he had some good points.
I think you said it well!
It is best to part of the Kingdom Party!
Perhaps, though, just speaking personally, I think I'm probably even further "left" than even what Scot describes (though again, I think that old left-right dichotomy is mostly inaccurate and unhelpful). I tend to criticize the Democrats for not being "liberal" enough - that is, for not admitting how much the interests of big corporations and their catering to the narcissism of the middle class is affecting their own policies. I really don't think there is a party in America that reflects true kingdom values. (Though personally I think the Green Party comes the closest, just IMHO... they're not perfect of course, but I'm still a big fan.)
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