Someone I know recently read the book "A Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren. He was really excited about the book. He started talking about this whole Emergent Church movement, and how it was going to change the way people did church. I have not as of this writing read the book myself. But it sparked my interest in what is being call the Emergent Church because I began to hear about the Emergent Church or Postmodern movement from other sources as well. That is when I began check out what others were saying about the Postmodern movement. I can honestly say I approached this issue with an open mind and heart. I had no preconceived notions about it, because I knew nothing about it.
I am no expert by any means. But I have discovered some things that have caused me concern about what is happening with this movement. One such thing that has bothered me is the mindset that doesn't want to give all authority to the Bible for all people. On his website, Brian McLaren was asked a question regarding the inerrancy of the Bible. Mr. McLaren's response was "I believe the Bible is uniquely authoritative for Christians." http://www.anewkindofchristian.com/archives/000406.html What about the Bible being authoritative for non-Christians? I sent an email to Brian McLaren and asked him what he meant by this statement, I never received an answer.
I also found an article about the Emergent Church by PBS, it included video of worship at the church Brian McLaren pastors, Cedar Ridge Community Church. There is a video link on the website that shows some of the worship as it occurs. If you look carefully at the video, 25 seconds into it, you see a large winged symbol over the platform/altar area of the sanctuary. I researched the symbol it looks unusually similar to the symbol used for the Egyptian sun god Ra! Click on the PBS link above to see the video. Click here to see what I found on the web about the symbol that appears in their sanctuary.
If you are interested here is a link to a book review of "A Generous Orthodoxy"
4 comments:
There is also a Part 2 to that interview on the PBS site... the link is toward the bottom of the page.
I can honestly say I'm disturbed about this Buddhist-Hindu-Orthodox-Catholic-cult that is "emberging"
-Ryan
I find that this church really is a Unitarian universalisms that leans more on the Christian belief. I had to visit a UU church once for a class of mine and I was extremely disturbed. Our society is really pushing this "Come as you are, total acceptance, do what feels good philosophy". Churches have fallen into this also. If I remember right Jesus accepted people but never said that what were doing was ok. As Christians we really need to watch these churches carefully. If we don't mark my words, this will be used by the anti-Christ in the end times.....
Kyle Nelson --Kansas City, KS
I saw the PBS video and am equally concerned about the "Emergent Church" movement. Worshiping in a dark sanctuary, Using things that smack of the occult (lambryths) Contempletative prayer (montra style prayer) and what appeared to be yoga. I find it also disturbing that they choose to sit on sofas in the round, rather than facing forward. Seated in the round facing each other is indicative where their focus is for the answer to their questions, on each other, not on God. How utterly arrogant! Vicki
I will read the book before commenting on it. This post was not just about the book, but about the Emerging Church in general.
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