Wikipedia says among other things: "The emerging church is a response to the perceived influence of modernism in Western Christianity. As some sociologists commented on a cultural shift that they believed to correspond to postmodern ways of perceiving reality in the late 20th century, some Christians began to advocate changes within the church in response. These Christians saw the contemporary church as being culturally bound to modernism. They changed their practices to relate to the new cultural situation. Emerging Christians began to challenge the modern church on issues such as: institutional structures, systematic theology, propositional teaching methods, a perceived preoccupation with buildings, an attractional understanding of mission, professional clergy, and a perceived preoccupation with the political process and unhelpful jargon ("Christian-ese").
"As a result, some in the emerging church believe it is necessary to deconstruct modern Christian dogma. One way this happens is by engaging in dialogue, rather than proclaiming a predigested message, believing that this leads people to Jesus through the Holy Spirit on their own terms. Many in the movement embrace the missiology that drives the movement in an effort to be like Christ and make disciples by being a good example. The emerging church movement contains a great diversity in beliefs and practices, although some have adopted a preoccupation with sacred rituals, good works, and political and social activism. Much of the Emerging Church movement have also adopted the approach to evangelism which stressed peer-to-peer dialogue rather than dogmatic proclamation and proselytizing."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church
A plurality of Scriptural interpretations is acknowledged in the emerging church movement. Participants in the movement exhibit a particular concern for the effect of the modernreader's cultural context on the act of interpretation echoing the ideas of postmodern thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Stanley Fish. Therefore a narrative approach to Scripture, and history are emphasized in some emerging churches over exegetical and dogmatic approaches (such as that found in systematic theology and systematic exegesis), which are often viewed as reductionist. Others embrace a multiplicity of approaches.
Phyllis Tickle – Beyond Denominations, the Hyphenated Church
Questions for Personal Reflection:
- How can I learn from the beauty of multiple points of view and traditions, while retaining the best of my own?
- If the hyphenated church is the latest emergence in the west, how do you think an emergence of eastern, southern, African Christianity could influence your future outlook?
Small Group or Staff Questions:
- How could we approach the church “beyond denomination” or a hyphenated church, if we are likened to the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch?
- If we have an 18-month window of opportunity, how can we bring out the best of our tradition AND support the emergence of the hyphenated church?
To undergo and then speak of that which is not a thing but which transforms our relationship with all things… this is a sacred and subversive vocation.
Here you will find my own fragile, failing attempts to be a mouthpiece for that transformative silence.”
“Perhaps it would be more honest for me to ask my friends and colleagues to pen this section, for at least they would be able to cast a more honest glance in my direction. However I know them well enough to avoid such a dangerous endeavour. Instead I will hide behind the usual mundane details of my life and tell you about my primary interests.
“I currently spend much of my time as a writer, public speaker, lecturer and co-ordinator of the experimental collective Ikon (www.ikon.org.uk). Together these diverse activities ensure that I have the privilege of engaging in that difficult job of marrying activism with theory, the public square with the academy. A difficult marriage no doubt, but one which continues to provide a context for revolutionary action to be born.
“My primary academic training took place at Queen's University, Belfast (www.qub.ac.uk) where I graduated with a BA Hons in Scholastic philosophy, an MA in political theory and social criticism and a PhD dealing with post-secular religious theory.
My primary philosophical interests lie in the area of continental philosophy of religion, phenomenology and post-modernism. I also lecture in areas of moral theory, philosophical theology, mysticism and Existentialism. However my passion is to render the academic discourse accessible, interesting and useful to faith collectives. As such I travel frequently throughout the
“With sensitivity to the Christian tradition and a rich understanding of postmod-ern thought, Peter Rollins argues that the movement known as the “emerging church” offers a singular, unprecedented message of transformation that has the potential to revolutionize the theological and moral architecture of Western Christianity.
“How (not) to Speak of God sets out to explore the theory and praxis of this contemporary expression of faith. Rollins offers a clear exploration of this embryonic movement and provides key resources for those involved in communities that are conversant with, and seeking to minister effectively to, the needs of a postmodern world.
“Here in pregnant bud is the rose, the emerging new configuration, of a Christianity that is neither Roman nor Protestant, neither Eastern nor monastic; but rather is the re-formation of all of them. Here, in pregnant bud, is third-millennium Christendom.”
—BRIAN MCLAREN, FROM THE FOREWORD
“I am a raving fan of the book you are holding. I loved reading it. I have already begun widely recommending it. Reading it did good for my mind and for my soul. It helped me understand my own spiritual journey more clearly, and it gave me a sense of context for the work I’m involved in. In fact, I would say this is one of the two or three most rewarding books of theology I have read in ten years.”
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