Reformation Faith Today

For most people, reading in the Emerging stream of books and literature might be like Forrest Gump’s motherly advice which went something like, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

You know what that is like. Someone gives you a box of chocolates. It does not include the handy guide telling you which ones have nuts. Now, it just so happens you are allergic to nuts. You pick up and bite into a delicious looking one. Bam! Allergic reaction. Sickness, maybe even death. You wish you could have been warned of the dangers.

The EC is in some ways like that. It is really hard, even for seasoned theologians, to discern where these guys’ theology is coming from. What fountain have they been drinking from? What theological stream have they been swimming in?

For most us us, jumping in that stream with them can have serious consequences. Particularly vulnerable are new believers and young people who have not adequately developed a well rounded apologetic. They should be warned at every turn.

Let me use an example from a well known church leader, Robert Schuller. Here are two quotes from Dr. Schuller:

“God’s delays are not God’s denials.”

“To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-image¾ from inferiority to self-esteem, from fear to love. from doubt to trust.”

Now the first quote is not wrong. In fact it is a Biblical understanding of patience in prayer. He may be pouring another meaning into it. Schuller may be saying that God WILL give you what you ask for. But the statement in an of itself is harmless. God always answers our prayers with long delays or not. He does not deny.

But the second quote is no Gospel at all. It is “another Gospel.”

So, would I be a responsible pastor/elder to quote from Schuller to my flock and endorse his books? No way. I would be reckless to do so unless I am quoting him to debunk his prosperity gospel. Would I recommend his books as profitable food for my sheep? Not a chance.

So where do many of the theological ideas in the EC come from?

Gregg Allison, Micah Carter, J. Ligon Duncan, Keith Goad, Jim Hamilton, Jonathan Leeman, and Stephen Wellum have contributed to an article over at The 9 Marks. Here is the opening few paragraphs:

Maybe you have heard plenty about the popularizers. After all, their shows are selling out. Their books are conquering the best-seller lists. And every weblog, magazine, and e- newsletter in the biz is talking about them.

But where are these Emergent guys getting this stuff? Where do their ideas come from?

It’s worth peeking into the Emergent classrooms to find out. A number of these popular level writers claim to eschew “doctrine.” But you cannot nothave doctrine. The eschewal of doctrine is a doctrine, and it rests on certain presuppositions. Whose? What professors are teaching their classes? What books are they dutifully reading?

Until recently, emergentvillage.com, one of the primary Emergent websites for networking and discussion, offered the following list of recommended “theology” books and authors (listed here in its entirety). Scroll down further, and you will find a brief summary on each author. The jargon might get a little technical. But if ideas have consequences, it’s good to know what ideas are driving such a popular movement in our churches today.

When you read the article you will see why many if not most in the ECM are awash in questionably and sometimes heretical theology. For those who are orthodox, they are running away from the EC label as fast as they can. And they should!

Take a look at the article and see for yourself what kinds of theological water many in the ECM are inbibing. Read it here.