Deconstructing: “The New Christians”

This dispatch is from PastorBoy, a.k.a. John Chisham, recorded here for your edification, delivered in the bunker housed deep below the store front of our fledgling organization I mean, organism.

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I guess the most striking thing that I have read so far from “The New Christians”  (TNC) is the illustration about the health of the forest. The well established forest is one which is supposed to represent the Church. As we walk into that forest with a forest expert, he does not look at the tall trees that are well established, he looks to the soil, the hummus, what is growing on the floor of the forest as determination of the health of the forest. This is what Tony claims in this book is an illustration of Emergent- the radical new growth on the floor of the old church forest.

I know that all illustrations are imperfect, however, as a former Science teacher, I must mention that not all things that grow on the floor of the forest represent health. Bears do poop in the woods, as do many other animals. They also die there, decomposing (rotting)into the ground. From this natural breakdown of organic materials, new things feed and grow. Some of these things are new trees and other plants. Many more of these things are fungus (like mushrooms) and lichens and other such things. Most of these things are poisonous if taken in by the wrong creature, such as human beings.

The Emergent church has brought us some new awareness of structures in the old church that can be brought into closer accountability to be sure. Our practices should certainly be reexamined so we can be more effective in living out our faith before others. However, much more of the movement is poisonous, certainly as they seek to deconstruct and rewrite the scripture to better fit their own world view and beliefs, and attempt to make eastern practices such as yoga, contemplative (centering) prayer, and eastern-style meditation into the mainstream.

Foresters will also tell you that one of the most effective ways of propping up the health of the forest is a good old lightning strike that starts a fire and burns up the underbrush and quickly decomposing it so the soil becomes more rich, effectively feeding the trees in the forest.  The fire of the Holy Spirit is desperately needed in the forest that is the church, burning off all that is harmful and hidden in the underbrush so that we can be fed and grown up into the image of Christ to the glory of God.

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And all God’s people, sitting in rows on padded pews at the back of the sanctuary, said: Amen !

I have received my copy of Tony’s new book, and have begun the deconstruction process. My approach will be from a critical thinking perspective, and by that I mean that I will look at each thought “involving skillful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; judicial: a critical analysis” based on the Word of God.

My intention is not to pursue this from a negative perspective, although I believe that the end result will probably turn out that way. I know from the outset that I have a completely different world view than Tony Jones, and that I look at the Word of God (the Bible) in a completely different way. My assessment will be negative where necessary, and positive where necessary. I make no pretense of having no bias.

I am planning on working through the book by reading each chapter twice, and then writing about my observations. There will be a couple of guys joining me in this effort, and they will post when appropriate.

If you are a Bible believing Christian, I encourage you to get a copy of this book and get up to speed on the emerging church movement. Pray for spiritual protection before you read, for the authors of the movement, for it’s supporters and critics alike, and for the church. Stay in the Word as you read other writings, and always compare what you read with Scripture.

If you are a seeker, a non-Christian, or just checking out the emergent church, I urge you to make a thoughtful analysis of both sides of the issues at hand. Don’t just dismiss criticism of the movement as rabid fundamentalist pablum. And don’t just accept everything you hear from the leaders of the emergent church as the gospel truth. Be discerning, use your critical thinking skills, be good Bereans.

There is a lot at stake in this discussion. From my understanding of the issues, either the leaders and practitioners of “emergent” are the true Christians and the reformed & fundamentalist believers are lost, or the opposite is true. Both can not be right, because both have a different Gospel, a different Christ, and a ultimately a different God. That may sound harsh, but that is the way I see it.

Until next time, I will be working my way through Chapter one. Peace.