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Christianity Today, May (Web-only), 2008 |

Emergent's New Christians and the Young, Restless Reformed

Tony Jones and Collin Hansen find connections as they discuss each other's books and movements.

Collin Hansen and Tony Jones | posted 5/07/2008 08:58AM

Tony Jones is the national coordinator of Emergent Village and author of The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier. Collin Hansen is editor-at-large of Christianity Today and author of ...

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Russ	Posted: May 14, 2008 5:41 PM

I come from an anti-creedal tradition that emerged from the Reformed, mainly Presbyterian, churches about 200 years ago. So, we've been working out the consequences of extending the priesthood of all believers to include the right of private judgment in study of the Scriptures for some time, now. On one side, exerting the right of private judgment has seen some undermine the authority of Scripture, denial of the Trinity, denial of miracle including the deity of Christ, and so on. On the other side, exercising private judgment has seen some take, for example, the Reformed regulative principle to the nth degree: not only no musical instruments in worship, but one cup at communion, no Sunday school classes or church kitchens, no parachurch org's, et al. That said, it has also led to a thicker understanding of baptism and the Lord's Supper, as well as the ministry of the priesthood of all believers.

Dan Stringer

Posted: May 12, 2008 5:15 PM

This dialogue is much needed because Calvinists are still elevating the spiritual to the detriment of the social, while Emergents seem to have forgotten how Walther Rauschenbusch's 'social gospel' played a significant role in the decline of America's mainline denominations. My hope and prayer is that Emergents will begin to include Reformed voices in their "conversation" while the New Calvinists will begin to explore the Kingdom of God as a crucial part of, not a separate category from, the Gospel they defend so fiercely. If we are going to be messengers of something as revolutionary and counter-cultural as the Kingdom of God, we must first recognize that we belong, body and soul, to Jesus. Whether we are preaching the word, feeding the hungry or loving our enemies, we all could use a healthy dose of humility and reverence for the Creator as the One for whose glory this is all for. I've offered more reflections on "Emergent Calvinism" at http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/

coffee

Posted: May 10, 2008 1:49 PM


I am neither Emergent nor Reformed. I am a Nazarene pastor and love to preach and teach God's Word through the Arminian/Wesleyan tradition. Why was this discussion limited to Calvinists' response to Emergent?

Craig Johnson

Posted: May 08, 2008 3:56 PM

Collin, I appreciate your opening comment on Day 4 about humility. I have seen so many guys (pastors) who stand in line to meet a well known man, have him sign their book or bible, or race to sit up close or behind the speakers at Shepherds Conference. I am not sure why. Yes, these are great men, and I often don't know what to say to them when I am in their presence, but they still spill ketchup on their pants just like me. Don't make their life more difficult by putting them on a pedestal. Pray for them, encourage them, thank them, but know that you are a forgiven sinner just like them. By the way, Collin, I saw you at Band of Bloggers but didn't get to meet you. Would you sign my laptop?:)

Greg Chase

Posted: May 08, 2008 3:16 PM

Every generation puts its own spin on the church based on changing culture. The big problem that must be avoided is syncritism. Do we reflect Christ in a meaningful way to our culture today or are we muddling up His message in a culture moving ever further from His Truth? "Emergents" and New Reformed" are just words, the real need is for Christians today is to have a vital relationship with Jesus whatever the label may be.

bill PhD, LtCol (USAR)

Posted: May 08, 2008 11:04 AM

My tab above says "Emergents New Christ". Then I realized it is shortened. However, it struck me as significant. Actually, with the Bible as an open field for everyone to play in, who's surprised? Is this Christianity Today's attempt to compete with American Idol? I think of Christ looking out on Israel and seeing the people as "sheep without a shepherd". Without a "hem" Evangelicalism's clothes will continue to unravel till there's nothing left. A former PCA pastor, now Orthodox priest, told me that tweeking a doctrine here or there won't do it. Protestantism's problem is "systemic". To me it becomes more and more evident; and of course in the "Emperor's New Clothes" no one noticed. What I read reminds me of a conversation in a mental ward. forestphilosopher.blogspot.com

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