Many, MANY of us can related to the words and general sentiment of Jeremy Bouma in a recent farewell address to the emergent movement. Jeremy Bouma is leaving the Emergent movement/conversation and “taking them to task” in the upcoming weeks. This is a worth a read. (Thanks for sending this my way Peter.)
For those who are not privy to the nuances of this ongoing “emerging/emergent church”conversation please note the following cardinal rule: one must always distinguish emerging church THEOLOGY from emerging church METHODOLOGY (or more MISSIONAL ECCLESIOLOGY).
In other words, keep the Tony Jones, Brian McLarens and Doug Pagitts separate from the Dan Kimballs and…umm…the Jeremy Bergs if you will. The former are questioning and reinterpreting ‘historic Christian orthodoxy’ while the latter are primarily interested in seeking new expressions of being the church today and how to be more missionally effective in gospeling in the 21st century, postmodern world. A BIG difference… (Though you might find both in ripped jeans, preferring macs and wearing dark-rimmed glasses like Rob Bell. I’m kidding – though I fit all three.) Here’s Bouma’s words:
Over the past year or so, however, it seems like the later (missiology) has faded and the former (theology) has shifted. I have been struck in recent months by this: now that we’ve gotten the missional response to postmodern culture down, many believe the time for theological construction has begun; we “get” postmodern ministry, now we need an alternative Christian faith built on an alternative Christian theology.
So began this new era of theological construction.
Four books crystalize for me this progressive theological construction effort: Peter Rollins‘, How (Not) to Speak of God
So have a READ HERE and tell me:
What do you think of Bouma’s farewell? Is he fair? Is he leaving in a gracious, Christ-like manner?
Discover more from Jeremy L. Berg
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Jeremy L. Berg 