Emerging niche?
// March 8th, 2007 // church, emergence
I have always approached this whole emerging church phenomenon/ experiment from the perspective that we are on the leading edge of a massive revolution in spiritual understanding- that the tipping point is days/weeks/months, maybe years away but soon (and very soon) everyone will “see the light”.
But as fundamentalism continues to hold sway over much of the world (the Christian right in USAmerica, Militant Islam in the near-east) perhaps I am forced to reconsider.
Will emergent thinking always be a niche?…
“Always” probably isn’t the right word because I don’t believe fundamentalism can really stand under the weight of honest intellectual consideration. Traditional biblical literalism doesn’t work. So in the end pragmatics may be our savior but for now I remain outside the vast majority.
Jae and I talked a couple nights ago. Atheists don’t like us, a lot of Christians don’t like us, there isn’t a lot of room for friends in our world right now. Perhaps that’s why community is so important in the emerging church. We all recognize on some level that we are refugees from both sides.
18 Responses to “Emerging niche?”
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Just ’cause I’m going to feel guilty for destroying your Technorati tags when I hit Submit, they were: church, emergence.
Have you ever wondered how much of an ‘emergent niche’ Jesus must have felt like during his physically-present ministry to Israel? It struck me as rather funny-peculiar that he would probably sympathize with your summary statement there…in fact, he was probably one of the first to feel the full weight of it…
Thankfully I didn’t actually add any tags this time. Just categories and they aren’t effected.
Interesting idea BTW I hadn’t really made that connection in my thought process though I’m not sure how comfortable I am comparing myself to JC.
I guess you have to consider motives. Are you afraid of looking like an idiot if you hold some fundamental perspectives that science or philosophy may prove wrong in the near future? Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God? If you’re not willing to look different who will think you have anything to offer? Are you afraid faith will let you down? The emergent church thing is just a fad. There is nothing new under the sun. Like whiterose suggests, Jesus lived it already. Just pray for ears to hear
Good comments,
If I was afraid of looking like a fool this blog is not where I would post my thoughts.
My retreat from fundamentalism is exactly due to your questions.
“Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?”
I absolutely believe the Bible is the “inspired” word of God and so I’ve backed away from what I understand as misuse of the scriptures. People who try to turn stories of God’s interaction with humanity into a text book for life.
“If you’re not willing to look different who will think you have anything to offer?”
I have little to offer other than my journey so I’m glad I get to share it with those willing to listen.
“Are you afraid faith will let you down?”
Truth is, I have become much less afraid of faith letting me down. Maybe that’s why I don’t feel the need to fit into the boxes anymore. Theology let me down before, I’m pretty confident faith won’t do the same.
That is what I meant by ears to hear (it’s in the Bible), well answered Jeremy. fundamentalists seem to be so busy proclaiming they’ve forfeited their place. Maybe it’s time to sweep the rug out and become the “New Fundamentalists”.
I don’t think that there’s any question that one of us may be the “next” JC…maybe just the next Paul of Tarsus…you know, reviled by some and ridiculed by others; hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…
But it is an interesting question – if Jesus showed up tomorrow, would the greater church be in the same position as Israel was then – so stuck on what we knew that we knew, that there was no room for a fresh outpouring of grace?
whiterose; isn’t that a song by JC and the sunshine band? Jeremy you take criticism better than anyone I know but I didn’t mean to question your motives personally. I just like reaction as opposed to inaction and I’m guessing you’re the same. Old questions deserve old answers but new questions deserve new answers. Can we find new answers in the Bible without twisting the theology?
why don’t old answers deserve new answers?
that just smacks of age-ism.
Hmm, I think I was just accused of having “pop theology”
are old answers not answered?
age-ism doesn’t exist except as a theory for those who don’t believe in spirituality
er…I meant to say old questions…
“age-ism doesn’t exist except as a theory for those who don’t believe in spirituality”
Im not sure I understand this
me neither! Think of age old questions never answered. Age as a state of mind, age discrimination. Spirituality operating outside of time. Wisdom comes with…I don’t think Age-ism is relevant. Young people have the same questions just in a different generation. Does that mean that the answers are different?
I was just trying to be funny…
I guess I wont quit my day job…
unless, you know, I feel like they don’t appreciate me…
also…Im not sure that anything operates outside of time…
I quit my day job anyways
anyone that i know that is an atheist likes me:)
i think many times who we think is an atheist, is just an atheist against a god that we would consider ourselves to be atheists against too…
but from me experience, atheists don’t hate me. in fact they love me because i’m a breath of fresh air…that sounds cocky, but its been my experience over and over again.
Nathan,
I think we’re talking about two slightly different things. Some of my good friends are atheists and some are hardcore fundies (Joe Manafo) I’m not suggesting a difference of opinion precludes friendship.
That said, having a few athiest friends, I think some may take offense against your characterization as athiests against “some” Gods. Some might see that as much a dismissal of their beliefs as you might see atheism of yours. You’re right though many “atheists” have not thought through all of the implications of there statement and may be open to adjustment. Same thing with a lot of Christians. In fact Richard Dawkins uses the “some gods” argument fairly successfully against theists.