Week # 30 The Emergent Church, Part III Selected Scriptures Presented Live on June 11, 2017

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1 Week # 30 The Emergent Church, Part III Selected Scriptures Presented Live on June 11, 2017 I. Introduction and review A. The most concerning heresy sweeping our country is that of the emergent church B. Doctrinal areas the emergent church movement wants to update or redefine 1. Missions [Missiology] 2. The Knowledge of God and His Creation [Epistemology] 3. The Bible [Bibliology] 4. The Church [Ecclesiology] 5. Salvation [Soteriology] 6. Jesus Christ [Christology] 7. Prophecy and prophetic understanding [Eschatology] 8. World View II. The Church [Ecclesiology] A. Worship 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 Page 1 of 12

2 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). 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, 116 Page 2 of 12

3 4. 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 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 Page 3 of 12

4 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 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 Page 4 of 12

5 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. 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 Page 5 of 12

6 1. You will hear phrases such as: 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 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 Page 6 of 12

7 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 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 Page 7 of 12

8 III. 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 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, 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. 4. Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. IV. 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 Page 8 of 12

9 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, V. Eschatology A. Importance 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 Page 9 of 12

10 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 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 Page 10 of 12

11 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 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. VI. 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 VII. 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 C. But what are the signs that the emergent church movement is emerging in your church? Believer s Bible Class, & Douglas W. Brady Page 11 of 12

12 All of Doug s Lessons over 350 of them are always available online at and Page 12 of 12