The Emerging Church

[Theophilus]

A new movement is now arising in and around evangelical circles. Now, it appears, the main object of attack will be the perspicuity of Scripture. Influenced by postmodern notions about language, meaning, subjectivity, and truth, many younger evangelicals are questioning whether the Word of God is clear enough to justify certainty or dogmatism on any point of doctrine.

This movement is very diverse and still developing, but it is generally referred to as "the Emerging Church."

Hopefully this can be opportunity to say in the simplest possible terms what is wrong with the movement, what (if anything) is right with it, and what you think about the goals and the strategies of those who are at the forefront of this movement. And, as always, we want you to shine the light of Scripture on this movement and let’s see how it fares.

 

[Ezra]

A new movement is now arising in and around evangelical circles. Now, it appears, the main object of attack will be the perspicuity of Scripture. Influenced by postmodern notions about language, meaning, subjectivity, and truth, many younger evangelicals are questioning whether the Word of God is clear enough to justify certainty or dogmatism on any point of doctrine.

Daniel 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.


personally i feel things like this will only increase . i read of some new type belief almost every day . a new type Church pops up . we cant even fill the ones that have been established .

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

this is where we are at today people are rejecting God. what's sad is established Christians are losing . the desire to attend Church
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[Frank Russell]

A new movement is now arising in and around evangelical circles. Now, it appears, the main object of attack will be the perspicuity of Scripture. Influenced by postmodern notions about language, meaning, subjectivity, and truth, many younger evangelicals are questioning whether the Word of God is clear enough to justify certainty or dogmatism on any point of doctrine.

This movement is very diverse and still developing, but it is generally referred to as "the Emerging Church."

Hopefully this can be opportunity to say in the simplest possible terms what is wrong with the movement, what (if anything) is right with it, and what you think about the goals and the strategies of those who are at the forefront of this movement. And, as always, we want you to shine the light of Scripture on this movement and let’s see how it fares.

The movement is varied.

There was this phenomenon that used to happen, people would leave one denomination to attend churches in another denomination due to theological differences.

However, at some point people stopped moving to a new church and stopped attending altogether (most common reason was the church they came from had garbage people in it, who treated them poorly)

People decided to gather in different formats that would not be recognized or even detected.

I tend to refer to the emergent church movement as the second reformation, since its nuances of "what needs changing" is about as varied as the first reformation.

 

[Ezra]

The movement is varied.

There was this phenomenon that used to happen, people would leave one denomination to attend churches in another denomination due to theological differences.

However, at some point people stopped moving to a new church and stopped attending altogether (most common reason was the church they came from had garbage people in it, who treated them poorly)

People decided to gather in different formats that would not be recognized or even detected.

I tend to refer to the emergent church movement as the second reformation, since its nuances of "what needs changing" is about as varied as the first reformation.

so here is my take on this so called emerging Church...the last thing that is needed is another new movement . Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.


the method of delivery can change but the message cant. see we have a bunch of feel good churches get excited run the isles shout etcc .while the song is playing. when the music stops they stop. the modern day new age movement is creeping into the Church. our great grandparents went to church in horse and buggy did not have padded seats / did not have central heat and air. did not have padded seats. they had church . the anointing has not changed just the people. this is a far as i care to go due to this is my text for Sunday morning . where the sing when the saints come dragging in. Lord i hope im part of that number. when the saints come dragging in.. lets not forget our theme song hymnal i shall not be moved.

 

[Ezra]

what needs changing"

its we the people who need the change

 

[Frank Russell]

so here is my take on this so called emerging Church...the last thing that is needed is another new movement . Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.


the method of delivery can change but the message cant. see we have a bunch of feel good churches get excited run the isles shout etcc .while the song is playing. when the music stops they stop. the modern day new age movement is creeping into the Church. our great grandparents went to church in horse and buggy did not have padded seats / did not have central heat and air. did not have padded seats. they had church . the anointing has not changed just the people. this is a far as i care to go due to this is my text for Sunday morning . where the sing when the saints come dragging in. Lord i hope im part of that number. when the saints come dragging in.. lets not forget our theme song hymnal i shall not be moved.

The emergent church did begin with Azusa street, but it is so much more varied than mere charismania.

 

[Ezra]

The emergent church did begin with Azusa street, but it is so much more varied than mere charismania.

i have witnessed some of this movement imo its lots of warm flesh iam not even sure the tongues used today.is the Bibibcal tongues in acts and what paul taught

 

[civic]

i have witnessed some of this movement imo its lots of warm flesh iam not even sure the tongues used today.is the Bibibcal tongues in acts and what paul taught

yes I have firsthand as well it was chaos.

 

[Frank Russell]

i have witnessed some of this movement imo its lots of warm flesh iam not even sure the tongues used today.is the Bibibcal tongues in acts and what paul taught

I used to fellowship with groups meeting that description. My origins are a little different, I started speaking in tongues a year after believing, not knowing what it was. Later on I prayed to translate, (as the scripture instructs) downside is my english makes less sense now. lol.

 

[360watt]

Isn't a key part of the emergent church... personal messages from the Holy Spirit that are allowed to contradict scripture?

Subjective experience that can be true for someone and not others.

Thats the new age thing.

 

[Ezra]

Youtube took this video down so I removed the link. Admin

this si what i am talking about

 

[Ezra]

Thats the new age thing.

its not so new

 

[Frank Russell]

Isn't a key part of the emergent church... personal messages from the Holy Spirit that are allowed to contradict scripture?

Subjective experience that can be true for someone and not others.

Thats the new age thing.

The other part of the emergent church is people who broke away from those congregations and are very conservative .. but see the rest of the church as it is and want nothing to do with it.

 

[360watt]

this si what i am talking about

Yup... I've seen this copied and pasted across many many pentecostal and charismatic services. Pretty much the same every time. Verses taken right out of the surrounds they are in and applied to situations that don't relate to the setting in the bible.. or applied in a way that is very different to the setting from the bible.

 

[Ezra]

Yup... I've seen this copied and pasted across many many pentecostal and charismatic services. Pretty much the same every time. Verses taken right out of the surrounds they are in and applied to situations that don't relate to the setting in the bible.. or applied in a way that is very different to the setting from the bible.

the way he was talking making folks laugh not good

 

[360watt]

the way he was talking making folks laugh not good

Yea..it starts kinda standard then goes wacky.

I remember attending youth camps as a charismatic and it was like that a bit. Then later I tried New Age beliefs. The New Age beliefs and that style of service...not much different.

I gave up New Age beliefs when I found out apologetics information about Jesus. That got my serious about the faith

 

[Ezra]

Yea..it starts kinda standard then goes wacky.

I remember attending youth camps as a charismatic and it was like that a bit. Then later I tried New Age beliefs. The New Age beliefs and that style of service...not much different.

I gave up New Age beliefs when I found out apologetics information about Jesus. That got my serious about the faith

if its of the spirit. it will be done decently and in order..God is not the author of confusion

 

[Affinity]

What is the New Age? That is the first question everyone asks. A precise definition is difficult to pull together even from the scores of books and articles on the subject. However, the beginnings of the movement are as old as sin itself.

The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Genesis 3:1-6).

Like the promise of the serpent, the New Age teaches that:
1. God’s Word cannot be trusted entirely (verses 1,4,5).
2. Man does not have to die (verse 4).
3. Man can become a god (verse 5).
4. Man can evolve through hidden knowledge (verse 6).


Fast Facts on False Teachings

 

[Foster]

What is the New Age? That is the first question everyone asks. A precise definition is difficult to pull together even from the scores of books and articles on the subject. However, the beginnings of the movement are as old as sin itself.

The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Genesis 3:1-6).

Like the promise of the serpent, the New Age teaches that:
1. God’s Word cannot be trusted entirely (verses 1,4,5).
2. Man does not have to die (verse 4).
3. Man can become a god (verse 5).
4. Man can evolve through hidden knowledge (verse 6).


Fast Facts on False Teachings

The cookies they serve are ok but don't drink the cool-aid. But seriously they definitely have things twisted up.

Like their own definitions of spiritual issues:
1. God: No personal God at all; just a cosmic force, a fragment of which is in us; therefore we are gods. There is often a male/female polarity in this “force” (yin/yang).
2. Jesus: A man who evolved into an Ascended Master (godlike being) through occult and metaphysical disciplines.
3. Christ: An impersonal “force” that rested on the man Jesus and made him special, but which has also rested on others, and can even rest on us.
4. The Bible: At best a work of cabalistic secrets that can only be understood by “Masters.” At worst a stupid book of Jewish legends.
5. Salvation: By works of occult discipline. The law of karma is irresistible and is what judges us.
6. Denial of Death: Belief in reincarnation. Most New Agers believe that humans can evolve into gods through many lifetimes.
7. Magical Worldview: View of universe as a machine that can be manipulated through sophisticated mental and spiritual technology—no sovereign God.
8. Intolerance of Monotheism: Jews, Christians, and Muslims regarded as counterrevolutionary. They must either evolve or be purified.

 

[360watt]

The cookies they serve are ok but don't drink the cool-aid. But seriously they definitely have things twisted up.

Like their own definitions of spiritual issues:
1. God: No personal God at all; just a cosmic force, a fragment of which is in us; therefore we are gods. There is often a male/female polarity in this “force” (yin/yang).
2. Jesus: A man who evolved into an Ascended Master (godlike being) through occult and metaphysical disciplines.
3. Christ: An impersonal “force” that rested on the man Jesus and made him special, but which has also rested on others, and can even rest on us.
4. The Bible: At best a work of cabalistic secrets that can only be understood by “Masters.” At worst a stupid book of Jewish legends.
5. Salvation: By works of occult discipline. The law of karma is irresistible and is what judges us.
6. Denial of Death: Belief in reincarnation. Most New Agers believe that humans can evolve into gods through many lifetimes.
7. Magical Worldview: View of universe as a machine that can be manipulated through sophisticated mental and spiritual technology—no sovereign God.
8. Intolerance of Monotheism: Jews, Christians, and Muslims regarded as counterrevolutionary. They must either evolve or be purified.

Yes, that's a good summary. I was trying New Age beliefs for a time and it is subtle the way they teach things. They will have 'the Divine'... a 'higher power' ..

They will have 'the Christ consciousness'

They will have healings, meditation.

So if you aren't solid on knowing Christianity well.. knowing your bible..it can seem attractive. But like you say.. Jesus becomes some kind of mystical being... impersonal..not God or just a wise philosopher to follow along with Buddha and Krishna.

When I was part of it..we would get out into nature and so it felt good..along with the group being close and sharing alot.

But the foundation was sand, ever shifting and pagan.