The emerging / emergent church – What is it?

what does the bible say?

The emerging church seeks to adapt Christianity to Western culture, sometimes updating style or methods without altering theology, but often blurring or compromising biblical truth. While it is biblically acceptable to alter or add things to a church service like modernized technology or more contemporary music styles (1 Corinthians 10:23–24; Galatians 5:13–14), emergent churches must avoid compromising the sanctity of Scripture for the conformity of the world (Romans 12:2). Because there is so much variety in emergent churches, it is essential we be guard against any false teaching (Matthew 7:15-16). Especially in Western culture in which we often seek out what we like best, we should remember 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” We must not merely attend a church in which we like what we hear—but a church that firmly holds to God’s Word alone (Titus 1:9).

from the old testament

• The Old Testament repeatedly calls God’s people to follow His commands and not turn to human wisdom or the ways of other nations (Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:5). This principle warns against conforming faith to cultural trends at the expense of Scripture.
• Prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel against false prophets and teachers who distorted God’s Word for personal gain or popularity (Jeremiah 23:16–22; Ezekiel 13:3–7).

from the new testament

• We must keep our discernment intact when it comes to teachers within the emerging church movement. Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:15-16, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”
• Some emergent churches alter their ways so much that they conform to the ways of this world and thereby ignore or dilute the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• Emergent churches have the freedom to make inconsequential changes to things like music or building atmosphere so long as they are built within a biblical framework (1 Corinthians 10:23–24).
• While emergent churches can exercise freedom in Christ when it comes to making small changes to music styles and such to adapt their church to their culture, they must never compromise biblically or spiritually. Every change—big or small—should be done out of love for others, not in an attempt to fulfill fleshly desires (Galatians 5:13–14).
• Voices in the emerging church movement that promote unbiblical teachings fit the description of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. We must seek understanding the true, complete Word of God, not just seeking out what we want to hear.
• While cultural changes inevitably lead to the need to adapt in some ways to better communicate biblical truth, Scripture’s teachings must remain unchanged. Any emerging church teacher, congregation, or organization that promotes unhealthy biblical teachings must be rejected (Titus 1:9).

implications for today

The emerging church (also known as the emergent church) came to strength as a movement within the evangelical church in the 1990s that sought to help the Christian faith “emerge” to better connect with the changing realities of Western culture. Often seen as the result of adapting to postmodernism in Western culture, the emerging church typically shifted away from black-and-white absolutes to discuss truth in less objective terms, downplayed formality, and developed new styles and methods of church and ministry. Because the emerging church movement is not a unified movement with centralized leadership, much variety exists in its beliefs and practices. For some, the emerging church simply meant to modernize church music, clothing styles, buildings, or technology. In these cases, theology remained unchanged while attempting to better reach those in local communities. However, in other cases, essential theological beliefs became a point of open discussion. Rather than viewing the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, some emerging church voices embraced the “mystery” of God’s revelation or shifted to a more subjective personal interpretation in which multiple, contradictory viewpoints were acceptable. For example, some emerging church leaders downplayed theological views to the extent that ancient church controversies that led to the development of the Protestant Reformation were of little importance. Others chose to maintain close fellowship with church leaders who held unorthodox views on salvation or Scripture. As a result, many churches (though not all) that developed with an emerging church focus have embraced unbiblical beliefs and practices. For example, one emerging church writer encourages interfaith practices with other religions as a way of better growing in one’s Christian faith. Yet this is clearly contradictory to Scripture in which we are to have no other gods before us (Exodus 20:1-3). Jesus clearly stated we are to love the Lord, not other gods or religious traditions (Matthew 22:37-40).

Recap

understand

• The emergent church adapts to culture but often risks compromising biblical truth.
• Emergent churches often compromise their faith and embrace unbiblical beliefs and practices.
• We must reach seekers with the whole truth of God’s Word.

reflect

• How do you discern whether the teachings and practices of your church align fully with Scripture?
• How might you be tempted to accept ideas or methods that compromise biblical truth for convenience or popularity?
• How can you personally prioritize God’s Word above personal preference when evaluating ministry or church practices?

engage

• Why must a church not prioritize cultural trends over biblical truth to reach seekers?
• What practical steps can we take to ensure we are teaching and living the whole counsel of God?
• How do we balance cultural relevance in ministry with uncompromising adherence to God’s Word?