James Macdonald wrote an article on christianitytoday.com titled "Why James Macdonald is not Emerging", and his posting has been followed up by many self proclaimed "Emerging" and "Non-Emerging" folks all arguing with each other's points. This makes me sick, it's boring, unproductive and pointless.
It's not about two-camps, and although I once was ensnared to this model, I no longer belong to the model or either camp. Jesus initiated a whole new model for living, by the grace of God I am now a part of this new model, living according to this model daily is a product of prayer, submission and obedience.
Jesus did not come to again set-up yet another battle of ideas. This whole concept of being right and wrong, this battle between the people of God wasn't embraced by Jesus. He came right smack in the middle of these "opposing" thinkers and got right to the "big picture". He presented a new way, a way grounded in Himself in the Holy Spirit. A way which tended towards submission to God the Father, humility, sacrifice and love. A way of peace and of hope. Jesus' way was very much different then His predecessor John the Baptist. John the Baptist stood in the apocalyptic tradition preparing the way for Jesus by preaching "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near". Jesus by beginning with these same words is making direct reference to this tradition, however he puts a twist on it, it is apocalypse without Armageddon. Present in His announcement is a challenge; his words caress the listener with welcome possibility. He does not threaten or condemn; he opens his arms to invite and encourage. The gentleness of this prophet is as unexpected as His message.
I don't believe Jesus would be happy to see his followers judging each other, arrogantly defending their scriptural interpretation, so that we could better prove ourselves as "right", while proving someone else as "wrong", puffing up ones pride, self-worth, and self-righteousness. This is the problem I find between this "emerging" vs. "non-emerging" battle. If we focus on the battle, we are missing the point becoming ineffective, falling into one of the two camps of the old model. We end up exactly were the evil one wants all followers of Jesus, tied up in a battle with each other, being led by our desires not the Holy Spirit, completly missing the call to be Christ followers, making no impact on a broken world, living in the that disgusting model which Christ died to set us free from!
This is why I am neither “Emergent” nor "Non-Emergent". I will not fight for either side; I will not allow myself to get caught up in this battle. I will not be offended and retaliate when someone places me in one of the camps and then attempts to fight it out with me. I will not allow Satan to divert, distract, confuse, or preoccupy me from learning and living the way of Jesus. I will be a peacemaker, I will be like Christ laying my life down for the weak (those people who are missing the point), I will not allow my "oldself" to lead, I will pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
By the way, isn't the "church", the bride of Christ, a grouping of many individuals? And doesn't Paul say in II Corinthians 3:16-18 that we as individuals are to be transformed to His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit? So whether you use the word "transforming", "reforming" "emerging" "changing" is it not the same concept. The "church" is supposed to be constantly submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit becoming more and more like Jesus. Has this not been the case throughout history? God, who is the Spirit, who is Jesus, has always been in the change business, changing individuals, changing the church to best be Jesus' "hands and feet" to a broken world, which culturally keeps changing, and thus so does the church. Wouldn't this mean Billy Graham was emergent to his generation, Martin Luther was Emergent for his world.
Jesus didn't argue principles, he lived them. Isn't it time we stopped arguing about the church and actually start being the church! Isn't it time we simply be submissive, die our own idea's, trust in Christ to build the church, and worry about the glory we personally are emitting?
1 comment:
Hey Greg,
I just came across your blog through your post on facebook and I know this is an old post, but I thought I'd respond.
Interesting thoughts on the emerging church discussion. I appreciate the fact that you don't want to get in the way, or get involved in a discussion that seems divisive. I think it only hinders the message of the church when we can't get along (which is most of the time...) What you said in your last paragraph, "Isn't it time we stopped arguing about the church and actually start being the church!" really resonated with me. The church that I'm working at now is a little frustrating for me in that I'm not entirely sure the congregation has a vision of what it means to be a church. For most it means coming on sunday morning to church and maybe 'helping out' with things that need 'doing' aroung the church... that's what church means. And I think to be the church we need to be so much more to each other and to our communities. If we can't act in love, we are not acting out our faith. If we can't follow God's agenda, not our own, how can we call ourselves Christians? Doesn't being a Christian mean that we are followers of Christ? Thanks for listening, I think it's good to discuss these things it leads to more thought and growth in our faith lives and in the church. Keep blogging!
In Christ,
-Heather
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