This afternoon I went to a seminar on the emerging missional church. It was run by Tim Hein from the Forge network in Melbourne. I’m quite well read on the emerging church in the US but need to do more work in thinking through what it looks like in the Australian context.
While I disagreed with a number of things that were said, I was heartened to hear that Forge aren’t at the extreme left of the emerging church. I don’t think that Tim has sold out on the gospel. I would like to continue to interact with them on how to best engage with culture.
NYMC Live Blog: #1 – Live Blogging; #2 – Getting here, #3 – Josh Griffin, #4 – My Place on MySpace, #5 – Thanksgiving, #6 – Josh Griffin Podcast, #7 – Tim Hawkins and trusting God, #8 – The danger of assumptions.
My experience is of similar nature to what you just said concerning the emerging church guys. I assume you have read Don Carson’s ‘becoming conversant with the emerging church’? – I tried to read it but put it down, to many hard words to understand from Don the intellect. However in talking to some friends who are apart of it, they have have encouraging aspects. I really appreciate the way they are so keen to reach the culture to see people coming to Christ. Comparing their position to mine, I see myself in the safety haven of church, whereas they attempt to place themselves smack bang in the middle of this world. Its a posts a challenge in front of me.
However my concern is that they take to much of a post modern view by accepting everything. If two people interpret the bible differently they are not both right!
My interpretation of bible is often not right and I will have to fall before God and realise my flaws one day. Until then, I pray for knowledge of God and a moulding of my heart.
hey woody. thanks for the comment. i’ve read carson’s book.
i agree that they are asking some good questions… and quite good at thinking through how to engag with culture. my problem is when they become the culture around them rather than rescuing and redeeming that culture and the people in it.
good call on the 2 interpretations thing.
we must keep engaging with culture – but not compromise on the gospel.
do you think your friends have compromised on the gospel?