“Is the Emergent Church a Threat to the Gospel?” or “Why I’m Concerned”

April 1, 2005 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
Site: http://ateamblog.com
About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009). Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (569)

A recent Baptist Press article caused quite an uproar in the blogsphere claiming that the “Emergent Church Movement” is a threat to the gospel. (See a previous post on a problem I have with the article.)

So is it a threat? Possibly. In as much as emerging churches are seeking to worship God, preach the Bible, and communicate in new ways, it is generally not a threat. When culture has changed to the point where it can no longer understand the Gospel, Christians should make an effort to translate it to the emerging culture. This is not only good, but it is Biblical. Imagine someone’s insistence on teaching a Thai person English in order to read an English Bible instead of translating their English Bible into Thai so a bunch of Thais can read it. (I’ve never figured out how KJV only people get around this problem.)

The danger comes if the message is changed. If Jesus was not God, was not the substitute for our sins, and did not rise from the dead, then our faith is worthless. We are of all people most to be pitied for our great false hope. Most of those involved in the emerging church have not gone down this road, at least not yet. But if Emergent continues in the manner it has been traveling I can’t see why many would not go this direction.

The primary problem with the emerging church, as I see it, is that there are no boundaries. It is so open to questions and ideas as to allow just about any kind of heresy without any recourse. Some have traveled into universalism and relativism, and all that those in emergent can say is, “they may be right.” This is theological liberty run amuck, and we risk the distortion of what God has clearly revealed in His Word. (Let me make it clear that only a minority of Emergent has gone this far, however, I don’t see anything keeping the majority from following.)

An aspect of this problem is the emerging church’s rejection of all things “modern” and embrace of all things “postmodern.” I’ve yet to see someone in emergent comment on the good things we got from modernism or warning of the bad things in postmodernism (perhaps someone will in response to this). Every culture is fallen, and an unwillingness to recognize the bad qualities of a culture will invariably lead to disaster.

One commenter on Andrew Jones’ blog responded to my concerns, “Yeah, okay Roger… that is what you think is wrong with Emergent. But why does that worry you?“ I think it’s sad that I should have to spell this out. Jude 3-4 reads, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Every person whom God has saved has a responsibility to contend for the ancient faith; we are to guard and fight for it. We must be vigilant against any movement (or conversation) that distorts, hinders, or negates the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Whether that means ridding the church of certain aspects of modernism or postmodernism, it is our God given responsibility and we dare not shrink from it. The emerging church often raises good questions about how things have been done, but some tread dangerous waters in the answers they give. This is why it concerns me, as it should every person who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Related posts:

1. Defining the Emerging/Emergent-Church/Movement/Conversation
2. What is the Emergent Church?
3. Modern Reformation #5: Emergent Church Roundtable Discussion
4. ETS 2006- Brett Kunkle: Essential Concerns Regarding the Emerging Church
5. Discussing Emergent: A Plea for Realism and Charity
6. Modern Reformation #1- The Emerging Church by D.A. Carson

Posted in Emerging / Emergent Church, Main Page, Roger's Posts, Theology