The Emergent Church is the Latest Version of Liberalism
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church (http://www.marshillchurch.org/), was one of the early leaders in what has come to be known as the emerging or emergent church. However, he has clearly separated himself from the emergent crowd and people such as Brian McLaren because of theological reasons. In his newest book he says the following: "the emergent church is the latest version of liberalism. The only difference is that old liberalism accomodated modernity and the new liberalism accomodates postmodernity" [Mark Driscoll, Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 21-22; thanks to Challies: http://www.challies.com/archives/001863.php].
For an explanation and critique of "liberalism" check out the classic by J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1923; reprinted 2001).
6 comments:
As for Driscoll, he "swim[s] in the theologically conservative stream of the emerging church"
[Mark Driscoll, Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 21-22; thanks to Challies: http://www.challies.com/archives/001863.php].
Do you think his comments are too strong about the Emergent Church being the latest version of liberalism?
The article about Driscoll and his book makes me want to read it! It looks like I will appreciate his honesty. It seems like he is very open about his faults. Some see this as a fault but I see it as refreshing. He is real and not pretending. Looks like there are situations he has dealt with where he could have done better but at least he is transparent. He seems to write truthfully about what probably often goes through pastors or Christians minds yet are afraid to say it.
Picked up Driscoll's book today. Haven't been able to put it down. Insightful, brutally honest, challenging and humerous. I can see why some people may be turned off by his attempt at humour and saracasm. But I guess if you don't like that then don't read it. 73 pages in and I would recommend highly.
Shane,
Thanks for sharing. I will have to read the book too. Did you know that he will be at John Piper's Church during their Desiring God Pastor's Conference in Minnesota? I think that it would be worth the trip. Maybe we could meet up there: http://www.desiringgod.org/news_events/dgm_national/2006/index.html
Nick
Hey dude, don't think I can make it to the conference. Our trip to Europe this summer is going to soak up most of my travel money!!! Would have been a rad conference to go to though.
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