Some circles criticize those of us who prefer an “emergent” path of the Christian faith. I’m not sure why that is. Are we that easy of a target? Are we really that misguided in our efforts and hopes for the practice of the Christian faith during our time in history? I don’t believe so. Let me say this, I believe God has called me to be emergent because of one word that is used consistently and compellingly. That is, conversation. That’s what attracted me to emergent in the beginning. I decided to attend the Emergent convention in Nashville as few years ago. Furthermore, I decided to go with an open mind, not to be the normal cynic I can be too often. I went to listen, but in the end, found myself in the conversation. I challenged some things and affirmed others. I learned a lot there and the learning continues. I think of it as God’s “call” because of something I read this morning.
"[God’s] appeals come through the conversations of good people, or from sermons,
or through the reading of good books; and there are many other ways, of which
you have heard, in which God calls us." (Interior Castle, Teresa of Avila)
That says a lot.
Criticize all you want. But, the conversations/sermons/books I’ve experienced in the past few years might as well have been a burning bush.
2 comments:
I think, more than anything, the growth of the Emergent movement within the church has revealed that discussion (dissent?) has been stifled. I think the growth of the movement is forcing those conversations to happen and the dissenters to be listened to.
The result can only be good for the church.
TM -
I think it's really ironic that you posted this today because of a post I made yesterday.
"Furthermore, I decided to go with an open mind, not to be the normal cynic I can be too often. I went to listen, but in the end, found myself in the conversation. I challenged some things and affirmed others. I learned a lot there and the learning continues."
I feel like that is exactly where I am in all this right now...learning, questioning, discussing. And like Jeff said, I fully believe the result of all this can only be good for the church.
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