The Emergent Church. The Enemy of True Christianity

Transcription

1 The Emergent Church The Enemy of True Christianity Lesson Notes from a series taught by Doug Brady, teacher of the Believer s Bible Class, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX I. What is the Emergent Church Movement and where did it start? A. What is the emergent church movement? 1. Its something new seeking to replace the old 2. It s a developing orthodoxy which is not set or finally established 3. Its tenants are in a state of flux 4. It leaders would say that we re getting there but we re not there yet B. It started with the concept of the seeker service, and a church opening its doors to seekers 1. The leaders of that movement are well known to you 2. The most prominent being Rick Warren 1 and Bill Hybels 3. What these services were about was a plan to lure unbelievers and unchurched persons into the church by making the services attractive and appealing to them 4. Many conservative believers argued that such was not the purpose of church services 5. But from there the emergent church movement was spawned 6. And they sought to make the church a comfortable place for the unbeliever C. They now go even farther, for their goal is a redefining of Christianity 1. But why is that needed, some might ask 2. In order to reach this new, emerging generation that is different than any other before it Page 1 of 35

2 3. How is that? 4. They are referred to by movement leaders as the postmodern generation 5. This generation is described by the leaders in the movement as: a. Unique b. Postmodern c. Post Christian d. Disillusioned e. Multi-sensory f. Hungry for a spiritual experience 6. They claim that we must reach this new and pivotal generation D. Who are the founders of this movement? 1. Brian McLaren 2. Dan Kimball 3. Leonard Sweet 4. Doug Pagitt 5. Robert Webber E. Consider what these leaders say of this postmodern generation 1. New generations are arising all around us without any Christian influence. So we must rethink virtually everything we are doing in our ministries. Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, pages (Emphasis added) 2. It is time for a Post Modern Reformation Reinvent yourself for the 21st century or die. Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami, pages 17 & 75. (Italics added). 3. Modern thinkers want things very orderly and systematic because they learn in a logical Page 2 of 35

3 and progressive manner. They prefer, generally, to sit and listen. Emerging post-christian generations (that is the post modern generation), on the other hand, long to experience a transcendent God during a worship gathering rather than simply learn about him. (Italics added) Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, page They want fluidity and freedom rather than a neatly flowing set program. They want to see the arts and a sense of mystery brought into the worship service, rather than focusing on professionalism and excellence. This will shape how a worship gathering is designed (Italics added). Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, page 121 II. What was Jesus view on the matter A. Should gatherings be tailored to what nonbelievers what to hear and will make them feel comfortable and welcome? B. In John 6, Jesus spoke words and related concepts that were difficult for the crowd to accept and bothersome to them [John 6:66-68] 1. Jesus was not discouraged, for it made it more clear to Him, through whom the Father intended to work 2. So Jesus concentrated His efforts on the disciples who remained III. We have seen that Jesus is more than content to allow the crowds to dissipate and to spend time with the few A. But the emergent church movement is all about the opposite B. This movement is all about bringing in the crowd by any means possible in order to build mega churches that can help bring in the coming kingdom of God C. But as with any heresy, we must learn to recognize it for what it is IV. The Emergent Church, this current day heresy, seeks to do the following: Page 3 of 35

4 A. To first soften the gospel so that it is appealing to a larger sample of the population B. Second, to be more inclusive of other ways of thinking and believing C. Third, to broaden the base of the post modern church V. So in order to recognize this heresy we must ask some important questions: A. Why is a new movement needed? B. What is the orthodoxy of the emergent church movement? 1. Definition of Orthodoxy authorized or generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice 2. This is a word that those in this movement love to use 3. Therefore we should seek to understand what they mean by it, so that we can properly evaluate it C. What does it seek to accomplish? D. And what would be the results if it succeeds? VI. Why a new movement A. This new post modern generation is different 1. Understand post modern to mean under We must aim at them the leaders of this new movement claims 3. They must be reached a different way and with a different vehicle B. They are different as to what they expect in a church service VII. Their orthodoxy A. It is a work in process B. It is always evolving C. It is new and needed to replace the old D. But it is not finally established but in a state of flux Page 4 of 35

5 VIII. This movement is seeking to expand the Church A. Making the church and its worship practices friendly and inviting to post moderns B. Its goal is to expand the Church base by seeking to be inclusive of all other spiritualities C. And it is working towards preparing the way for and bringing in the Kingdom of God IX. Does Christianity need to change its message? Consider: A. John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." B. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. C. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek D. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. E. I Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. F. II Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. G. Isa. 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. H. If the emergent church leaders want to change or modify the orthodoxy and approach of the church, what do they want to change? Page 5 of 35

6 X. The paradigm (a conceptual model) shift espoused by the emergent church leaders A. What the Mission outreach of the church should be (missiology) 1. I don t believe making disciples must equal adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts (Italics added). Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, Evangelism or missions for me is no longer persuading people to believe what I believe, no matter how edgy or creative I get. Its more about shared experiences and encounters. Its about walking the journey of life and faith together, each distinct to his or her own tradition and culture but with the possibility of encountering God and truth from one another (Italics added). Gibbs and Bolger, Emerging Churches, page Scriptural response a. Other religions (1) II Chr. 13:9 "Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods. (2) Jer. 2:11 Has a nation changed gods when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. (3) Acts 19:26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. (4) Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and Page 6 of 35

7 transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (5) I Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (6) I Corinthians 10:19-20 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. (7) Galatians 4:8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. (8) Philippians 3:4-8 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, b. Inclusivism (1) John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me Page 7 of 35

8 (2) Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (3) I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 4. A change in our evangelistic approach to unbelievers a. He (Jesus) stopped and asked questions of the Samaritan woman (John 4) and didn't just jump in and say, Samaritans are wrong. Dan Kimball, cited in Oakland, page 46 b. Jn. 4:21-26 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." c. What is the most unkind thing we can do to unbelievers? B. Bible knowledge (epistemology) 1. Those leading the emergent church movement seem to want to cling to the title: Evangelical a. A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, Page 8 of 35

9 liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, Fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Green, incarnational, depressed-yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian. Full Title of Brian McLaren s A Generous Orthodoxy b. The reason for that is very simple c. There are many things in the Scripture they do not like and in fact reject d. But if they claim not to accept certain portions of the Bible or its authority they will be branded as liberals and unbelievers e. So instead of claiming to reject, they claim uncertainty f. We can t know for sure, but we are constantly learning g. What that is, is disbelief masquerading as uncertainty 2. They also want to modify how truth is acquired a. Dialogue is the key to spiritual wisdom b. How is that? c. As dialogue progresses, consensus is gained and that is the truth we can know d. Isn t truth often best understood in a conversation, a dialectic (or trialectic), or a dynamic tension? Isn t in subverted by a tendency to sola-ize? Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, page 198 e. The key to navigating postmodernist's choppy, crazy waters is to ride the waves and bridge the opposites, especially where they converge in reconciliation and illumination ( Italics added). Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami, page 163 f. ask me if Christianity (my version of it, yours, the Pope s, whoever s) is orthodox, meaning true, and here s my honest answer: a little, but not yet To be Page 9 of 35

10 a Christian in a generously orthodox way is not to claim to have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall But we keep seeking. Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, page 293 g. But consider what that means the believer and unbeliever, in dialogue together determine what is truth h. Truth is not determined by the creature but declared by the Creator 3. What does God s word teach? a. Perspicuity (1) Clearness or lucidity, as of a statement (2) The emergent church s key verse II Peter 3:16 as also in all his (Paul s) letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. b. Biblical certainty (1) II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2) Luke 1:3-4 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (3) I John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. Page 10 of 35

11 (4) Who promotes uncertainty? (5) Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden '?" XI. The emergent church s view of the Bible (Bibliology) A. Kristen Bell (wife of Rob Bell); was quoted in Christianity Today, 11/1/04 I grew up thinking that we ve figured out the Bible that we know what it means. Now I have no idea what most of it means. B. From the emergent church s point of view, Biblical truth is determined by an amalgamation of four things: Scripture, reason, tradition and experience 1. Anglicans have demonstrated this both/and beautifully in relation to Scripture. Scripture is always a factor in Anglican thinking. In Anglicans best moments, it is their primary factor, but it is never the only factor. Rather Scripture is always in dialogue with tradition, reason, and experience. None of them sola can be the ultimate source of authority (Italics added). Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, page They will claim that when you read the Bible, you read into it your own biases and predispositions 3. Instead, truth is acquired through dialogue and consensus 4. What if Jesus had sought dialogue and consensus in John 6? C. The true Biblicist s point of view 1. Inspiration a. Verbal plenary inspiration b. II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, Page 11 of 35

12 for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate (complete), equipped for every good work. 2. Sola Scriptura not tradition a. Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture. b. Mark 7:10-13 "For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH'; 11 but you say, 'If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),' 12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that." c. Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 3. What about reason? a. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. b. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. c. Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Page 12 of 35

13 4. Should experience be used to help us interpret and determine the meaning of Scripture? a. Who can provide spiritual experience b. God can and does c. So can Satan and he does also, consider: (1) Exodus 7-8 (2) Deut. 13:1-3 (3) Matthew 7:21-23; 24:24 (4) Acts 8:9; 16:16 (5) Galatians 1:6-9 (6) II Thess. 2:9 (7) Rev. 13:3, 13; 16:13-14 d. I believe that experience can be used in a ministerial capacity in Biblical interpretation (1) A minister is a servant (2) And he always supports his master (3) That is that experience will exemplify the true meaning of Scripture (4) But experience should never be used as a magistrate, that is to dictate or direst meaning and interpretation 5. Where in Scripture are we told or even given an example of a dialectic of these four leading us to truth? 6. In the end, they both dilute and demote the authority of the Scripture XII. The Church [Ecclesiology] A. Worship Page 13 of 35

14 1. Multi-sensory, liturgical and contemplative a. Multi-sensory a teaching technique which means to help the student to learn through more than one sense. Most teaching techniques are done using either sight or hearing (visual or auditory). b. Liturgical a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship c. Contemplative marked by or given to contemplation; specifically of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance 2. Post-moderns prefer to encounter Christ by using all their senses. That s part of the appeal of classical liturgical or contemplative worship: the incense and candles, making the sign of the cross, the taste and smell of the bread and wine, touching icons and being anointed with oil. Julie B. Sevig, The Lutheran, 9/ [It should be] multisensory and interactive Through various experimental elements as well as through the space itself, we can actually preach. Art preaches. Scripture preaches. Music preaches. Even silence preaches. Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, it was from Catholic contemplatives that I entered an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts of the Spirit. Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, Where in Scripture are we told that it is essential to embrace ancient liturgical and contemplative practices? 6. Why not go back to the very beginning? 7. Matthew 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8. Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (Italics added). Page 14 of 35

15 B. Preaching 1. Conversational, story telling and experiential 2. At Solomon s porch, sermons are not primarily about my extracting truth from the Bible to apply to people s lives So our sermons are not lessons that precisely define belief so much as they are stories that welcome our hopes and ideas and participation (Italics added). Doug Pagitt, cited in Oakland, It isn t about clever apologetics or careful exegetical or expository preaching Emerging generations are hungering to experience God in worship (Italics added). Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, A spiritual Tsunami has hit postmodern culture. The wave will build without breaking for decades to come. The wave is this: People want to know God. They want less to know about God they want new experiences, especially new experiences of the divine (Italics added). Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami, something beyond a belief system or doctrinal array or even a practice. I mean an attitude an attitude toward God and our neighbor and our mission that is passionate. Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, The Biblical position a. Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. b. II Timothy 3:15-4:2 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that Page 15 of 35

16 the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. c. Nehemiah 8:1-2 1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. d. Ephesians 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; e. Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" C. Male leadership 1. Egalitarian [in accordance with the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities] 2. In the emerging church the role of women in the church is a large issue. People in emerging generations think of churches as male dominated and oppressive to females. So whatever your theology may be about the role of women in the church, I would still highly encourage you to have females in up front roles as much as possible, whether it is Page 16 of 35

17 teaching, giving (sic) announcements, leading worship, sharing testimonies or reading Scripture. This is critical for the emerging church. Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church pg Biblical position a. God is a Trinity, that is three distinct persons Who are One (1) Although they are coequal, in essence, power and value (2) They each have separate roles b. God made men and women after His own image (1) They are equal in essence, value and standing before God (2) But He gave them different roles c. E.g. consider I Timothy 2:12-14 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. d. We should not accept their lie that the Word of God is anti-women (1) It is the opposite (2) God is pro-woman D. Bringing in the Kingdom 1. The Kingdom = the Church a. The kingdom now heresy which the leaders of the emergent church movement all preach involves the recycling of an old heresy b. The school of Biblical interpretation located in Alexandria, Egypt originated this concept about the 3 rd century A.D. Page 17 of 35

18 c. It started with Origin and was further refined by Augustine d. They did not accept a literal interpretation of prophetical passages and so this was their answer 2. The Kingdom of God is a central conversation in emerging communities And let me tell you Kingdom of God language is really big in the emerging church (Italics added). Doug Pagitt, cited in Oakland, If Revelation were a blueprint of the distant future, it would have been unintelligible to its original readers In light of this, Revelation becomes a powerful book about the kingdom of God here and now, available to all. Brian McLaren, cited in Oakland, Kingdom does not come through human effort a. Matthew 23:37-39 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38 "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" b. Premillennialism c. See the Pastor s chart d. It holds to the view that the rapture and the tribulation period must come first before the kingdom will be established e. And that Jesus establishes the kingdom, not His church E. They preach a social gospel 1. You will hear phrases such as: Page 18 of 35

19 a. Holistic Redemption b. Social Justice 2. This movement s goals is to alter social conditions in order to foster the kingdom s establishment 3. The church has been preoccupied with the question, What happens to your soul after you die? As if the reason for Jesus coming can be summed up in, Jesus is trying to get more souls into heaven as opposed to hell, after they die. I just think a fair reading of the Gospels blows that out of the water. Brian McLaren, cited in Oakland, He selected 12 and trained them in a new way of life. He sent them to teach everyone this new way of life...even if only a few would practice this new way, many would benefit. Oppressed people would be free. Poor people would be liberated from poverty. Minorities would be treated with respect. Sinners would be loved, not resented. Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, Industrialists would realize that God cares for sparrows and wildflowers-so their industries should respect, not rape, the environment. The homeless would be invited in for a hot meal. The kingdom of God would come-not everywhere at once, not suddenly, but gradually like a seed growing in a field, like yeast spreading in a lump of bread dough, like light spreading across the sky at dawn. Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, Priority of evangelism and discipleship a. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Page 19 of 35

20 Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." b. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." c. John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 7. The world will remain in Satan s grasp (2 Cor 4:4) until the Second Advent when Jesus sets up His kingdom (Rev 11:15) a. II Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. b. Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." 8. What should be the purposes of the Church? a. To glorify God b. To equip the saints c. To fulfill the great commission F. Ecumenical outlook 1. The unity of the body is more important than the truth in God s word 2. A goal for evangelicals in the postmodern world is to accept diversity as a historical reality, but to seek unity in the midst of it. This perspective will allow us to see Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches as various forms of the true church-all based on Page 20 of 35

21 apostolic teaching and authority, finding common ground in the faith expressed by classical Christianity. Robert Webber, Ancient Future Faith, The Biblical position is that truth is more important than unity a. John 17:17, Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 23 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. b. This is all a movement towards a one world religious system XIII. Salvation [Soteriology] A. Emergent church: regeneration through mysticism 1. I learned this way of having a born again experience from reading the Catholic mystics, especially The Spiritual Exercise of Ignatius of Loyola.... Like most Catholic mystics, he developed an intense desire to experience a oneness with God. Tony Campolo Letters to a Young Evangelical, pg. 30 B. Bible: regeneration through faith in Christ alone 1. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 2. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, Page 21 of 35

22 3. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. XIV. Jesus Christ [Christology] A. Emergent church: weakening of substitutionary atonement 1. And there s a sense that, a common understanding of the atonement presents a God who is incapable of forgiving. Unless He kicks someone else. Brian McLaren The Bleeding Purple Podcast, Part II 2. A form of cosmic child abuse a vengeful Father, punishing his Son for an offence he has not even committed If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by humankind but borne by his Son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus own teaching to love your enemies and to refuse to repay evil with evil. Chalke and Mann, cited in Enns, 694. B. Bible: without the shedding of blood in Christ s substitutionary death there would be no remission of sin 1. Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 2. Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 3. I Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, XV. Eschatology A. Importance Page 22 of 35

23 1. Emergent church: over realized eschatology leading to a neglect of prophetic matters 2. If Revelation were a blueprint of the distant future, it would have been unintelligible to its original readers In light of this, Revelation becomes a powerful book about the kingdom of God here and now, available to all. Brian McLaren, cited in Oakland, Biblical signs such as baptismal identity and Eucharistic thanksgiving will take on new meaning. The church will be less concerned about having an eschatology and more committed to being an eschatological community (Italics added). Interview by Jordan Cooper with Robert Webber, cited in Oakland, An eschatology of abandonment, which is how I would characterize certain streams of the left behind approach, has disastrous social consequences... Any project geared toward improving the world long term is seen as unfaithful, since we re suppose to assume that the world is getting worse and worse. Brian McLaren in an interview on Planet Preterist a. Should we as believers be socially active Yes b. But not to promulgate a social gospel c. But to seek to restrain evil and growing domination of our world 5. Is eschatology important to God? a. 27% of Scripture was prophetic at the time it was written b. His Biblical admonition: II Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. B. Eternal punishment 1. Emergent church: softening of eternal punishment Page 23 of 35

24 2. Bible: eternal retribution a. Jesus spoke more about hell than any other subject b. Matthew 25:41, 46 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." c. Daniel 12:2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. d. Revelation 14:11 "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." e. Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. f. Revelation 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. C. Protology 1. The study of origins and first things, to Christians, protology refers to God's fundamental purpose for humanity 2. II Peter 3:3-7 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His Page 24 of 35

25 coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. XVI. World View A. The emergent church is generally left of center in its political ideology B. Homosexuality 1. Emergent church: uncertain on homosexuality 2. Biblical position a. Gen. 1:27 b. Lev. 18:22 c. Lev. 20:13 d. Matt. 19:3-6 e. Rom. 1:26-27 f. I Cor. 6:9-11 g. Jude 1:7 C. The Emergent church is also anti-young earth XVII. Why do the adherents to the Emerging Church movement want the name Evangelical A. So that they don t appear to be the wolf in sheep s clothing B. They are not Evangelicals XVIII. Becoming an emerging church doesn t just happen, it is planned Page 25 of 35

26 A. So what are the signs? 1. If you develop a concern or question actions taken against established doctrinal positions, and you are told by the pastor or elders of your church that you have a choice to make a. Either get with the program, or b. Find a new church 2. If you find that your church is moving away from the Bible as authoritative and adding authority based upon the experiential and mystical a. Sound Biblical doctrine is labeled as dangerous and divisive b. While the authority of the Word of God is undermined, images and sensual experiences are promoted as the key to experiencing and knowing God c. Both individual experiences and mystical renderings are given greater role in establishing true doctrine d. These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations, contemplative prayer, experiencing the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist 3. If you find that the concept of absolute truth is being left behind a. Scripture is no longer the ultimate authority as the basis for the Christian faith. 4. If you find that your church is uninterested in Biblical prophecy and does not expecting the literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ a. The concept of the rapture is discarded (that word is not even in the Bible along with millennium and dispensations, they will say) (1) a`rpa,zw harpazo {har-pad'-zo} Meaning: 1) to seize, carry off by force Page 26 of 35

27 2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly 3) to snatch out or away [see 1 Thess. 4:17] (2) Rãpiþus (Latin) (3) Dispensation [1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2 and Colossians 1:25] (a) Greek oivkonomi,a oikonomia {oy-kon-om-ee'-ah} Meaning: 1) the management of a household or of household affairs 1a) specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other's property 1b) the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship 1c) administration, dispensation (b) Latin îndeplinire b. Spending time on prophecy and eschatological passages is seen as a waste of time c. The teaching that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period is considered unbiblical and heretical. 5. If you find that the future goal is preparing for and taking at least the initial steps to establish the Kingdom a. The gospel as a salvation message becomes the gospel of the kingdom, preparing for the coming kingdom b. The gospel therefore becomes a social gospel, involved in social programs c. There is a firm belief that the kingdom can be established by human effort d. The teaching that the Book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has been already fulfilled in the past e. The centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic Page 27 of 35

28 methods promoting church growth 6. If you find that the nation Israel becomes unimportant to your Church a. It is claimed that Israel in our time has little, if any Biblical importance b. The promises which God made to Israel have been forfeited due to their disbelief c. Now those promises belong to the church d. The church has now replaced Israel in their role in God s ultimate plan 7. If you find that intense and in depth Bible study is slowly being replaced by studying someone s book, together with his methods and ideas a. Methods and means become more important than defining the true goals recorded in the Scripture for the church b. The teaching becomes experience based and incorporating corrupted doctrine, e.g. the devotional booklet known as Jesus Calling 8. If you find that the health of your church is being measured by quantity a. The amount of money raised b. The extent of assets accumulated by the church c. The widespread of the church s ministry by means of public media 9. If you find that important concepts in God s Word are given less and less importance a. Concepts like hell, sin and the need for obedience are downplayed and then labeled as divisive and offensive b. New translations are substituted for sound, doctrinally accurate translations of the Bible c. An example of this would be the Message or the NLT (1) Whose message is it? Page 28 of 35

29 (2) When examining a new translation, one should consider passages that form the core of the Gospel message (3) I selected John 1:12; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:3-5 (4) John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, (a) But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-god selves. Jn. 1:12 The Message (5) John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (a) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Jn. 3:16-17 The Message (6) Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (a) Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We Page 29 of 35

30 don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! Eph. 2:8-9 The Message (7) Titus 3:3-5 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (a) It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. 4 But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, 5 he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Tit. 3:3-5 The Message 10. If you find that there seems to be a strong emphasis on ecumenism indicating that a bridge is being established that leads in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church. a. Some evangelical Protestant leaders are saying that the Reformation went too far. b. They are reexamining the claims of the church fathers saying, e.g. that communion is more than a symbol and that Jesus actually becomes present in the wafer (the bread) at communion [Transubstantiation] Page 30 of 35

31 c. There will be a growing trend towards an ecumenical unity for the cause of world peace, claiming (1) The validity of other religions and (2) That there are many ways to God. B. There are seven or so steps that those seeking for your church to become emergent will seek to inculcate into your church 1. Identify those who will be resistant to change, even to doctrinal positions 2. Determine the depth of their potential opposition and the strength of their resistance 3. Befriend those who are undecided and provide them with benefits for moving in your direction 4. Marginalize those who do resist and remove them from positions of influence 5. Those members of the resistance should be urged to leave and if they refuse, they must be vilified 6. Establish new rules and a new order in the church that will silence all opposition 7. The broad church membership will not be told what is going on until it is too late XIX. The initial symptoms of the emergent church heresy A. Change the music of the church from classical to contemporary 1. Remove all hymnals 2. If hymns are sung change the words, or the tempo, or add new transitions endings or beginnings 3. Replace the organ and piano with rock music type instruments 4. Install repetitive singing of praise lyrics B. Encourage members to dress down and wear casual clothes Page 31 of 35

32 C. Eliminate business meetings, committees, boards of elders and/or deacons, and allow a small group of 3 to 5 men take over the business of the church D. A new study program will be instituted stressing psychological relationships with fellow members, with the community, and the world E. Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday night meeting times are changed or eliminated F. Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes or simply replaced 1. The name, Sunday School, will be eliminated G. Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols moved or removed from the church XX. What should an informed believer do? A. They should seek to educate themselves [Books to read] B. Pray and organize prayer groups C. We must dogmatically recognize that a Christianity not based upon the Scriptures, is a false Christianity 1. It may be ecumenical 2. It may also attract large numbers of congregants 3. But it is not Biblical and therefore inspired by Satan D. We must be vigilant to safeguard five central doctrines in our church and its ministries, those key five foundation stones being: 1. The verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, together with their full authority 2. The virgin birth and full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ 3. The bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead 4. His atoning, vicarious death for the world s sin 5. The literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth Page 32 of 35

33 1.Rick Warren s salvation prayer: A. Jesus, I believe in you and receive you PDL pgs B. Rick Warren is against the study of prophecy PDL pgs C. In May, 2005, Warren appeared at an event in Key West, Fla., sponsored by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. There he was questioned on certain topics 1. The Baptist Press, 2005 reports the following a. Warren was asked: Your church is not a Baptist church? The transcript had him responding: No -- it was. In the early years, when we first got started, it was a part of the Southern Baptist Convention. One out of ten churches in America is an SBC church, and the reason the denomination's so big is that every church is totally independent. The denomination has no control over it. So basically we cooperated with them in their missions program, but now we're doing our own missions program. b. Warren, told BP he misunderstood the question, believing instead he was being asked if his church, Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, Calif., was identified as a Baptist church. Saddleback does not have the word Baptist in its name. D. Rick Warren has developed a world peace plan 1. His intention is to send one billion Christians into the world to eliminate (1) poverty, (2) illiteracy, and (3) disease, especially AIDS 2. Is that what Christians are to be sent into the world to do? Page 33 of 35

34 E. Rick Warren told the Philadelphia Enquirer [Jan. 8, 2006]: 1. Fundamentalism will be one of the big enemies of the 21 st century. 2. Evangelicals are often equated with fundamentalists or the religious right, which annoys Warren. F. Rick Warren, in May 23, 2005, spoke at the Pew Forum on religion and Public Life. 1. He claimed: But what happened is Protestantism split into two wings, the fundamentalists and the mainline churches. And the mainline churches tended to take the social action issues of Christianity caring for the sick, for the poor, the dispossessed, racial justice and things like that. Today there really aren t that many Fundamentalists left; I don t know if you know that or not, but they are such a minority; there aren t that many Fundamentalists left in America. 2. And: Now the word fundamentalist actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity, and when I say there are very few fundamentalists, I mean in the sense that they are all actually called fundamentalist churches, and those would be quite small. There are no large ones. 3. That paper contains these five fundamentals a. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9). b. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27). Page 34 of 35

35 c. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14). d. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15). e. 5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20) Douglas W. Brady Page 35 of 35