Infinity and Beyond

Recently I read an article written by the professer of the conservative bible college, in which I recieved my bachelor’s degree. In this article this Doctor, gave his brief opinion on the Emerging Church movement.  While this so called “movement” has been around for years, and has been the movement and development of people’s genuine thoughts and ideas.  A steady stream of “defenders of the faith” have found themselves committed to “protecting the flock” against this so called plague.  As conservative doctors, and “teachers” seek to defend their students, I have begun to wonder WHY is does everyone get so defensive? (See Article at: http://www.issuesinperspective.com/2007/August/07aug18-19_3.cfm)

 I dont’ consider myself as part of the Emergent movement, when you define it as the cute, clique-ish, group of people looking to be cool, trendy or simply hip.  However with that said, I do see myself as a part of a group of people that are finding themselves largely unsatisfied with what traditional Christianity has offered, especially via its large buildings and gathering. As I have begun to move towards a more personal, and for me genuine faith; I am confronted with people calling that pluralistic, existential, or even simply selfish. 

As I have listened to and learned from helpful writers such as Brian McLaren, McManus, Wallis, and many more thoughtful followers of Christ, I find myself gravitating to their writing.  While the “Old Gaurd” may find themselves unsure of McLaren’s search for a more holistic Jesus, I find myself gravitating to such a broad and collective view. While I realise the dangers of letting myself become the final definer of truth; I have come to grips that my faith, while shared in community, must be something that I own and that means everything TO ME. 

Dr. E said: “any manifestation of this movement that no longer clearly preaches personal salvation, downplays the deity and uniqueness of Jesus Christ, permits the social gospel to supersede a believer’s vital relationship with Jesus, and teaches that knowing God and His truth is impossible, is to be soundly rejected. ”   The struggle for me is that as long as this style of thinking retains its power, I wonder how much the Kingdom can advance. While I don’t doubt the sincerity of these believers faith, I do wonder how we contradict our own message?   When Jesus message of the Gospel, and Kingdom speak loudly and clearly about its social message; I wonder how we can say “permitting the social gospel to supercede a…relationship with Jesus”.   Because while I won’t say knowing God and truth is impossible, I will say that my relationship with Jesus HAS and WILL profoundly move me towards that social gospel.  When it comes to my understanding of how Christ related to his disciples it was in his call to progress his Kingdom.   And if that’s relative, subjective,  then I guess I’ll just have to be emergant, or I’ll have to suffer through being a postmodern thinker that follows Jesus in todays landscape, and maybe doing so by spreading that Social Gospel!