Ad Infinitum and Beyond

A Fundamentalists Guide to the Emerging Church Movement, Part 1

2010-05-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

Pop culture finds itself enamored with different fads from season to season. Whether that fad is MC Hammer’s genie pants in the early 1990’s, or Kanye West’s shutter shades from the latter part of this previous decade. Society also tends to mimic the things that are rampantly successful, which would basically be like a fad with a little more longevity. Things like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Twilight, Avatar, Star Wars, Star Trek, are not only followed on an almost creepy level, but they have begun to be copied by other companies hoping to cash in on the successful trends of the past. It is definitely not a secret that corporations tend to link themselves to items that popular either due to the fleeting “cool factor” or the rampant success of other companies.
Evangelicalism, in many ways is no different. It still finds itself fascinated with different movements from age to age, some with long-term and widespread success and others that could best be described as a flash in the pan (with either limited or regional success). These trends in the evangelical culture tend to fall into one of two distinct categories, the first that is likely to be copied is by following a churches methodology, such as recreating the atmospheres found in a church like Lakewood (Joel Osteen) or Saddleback (Rick Warren) to attract more visitors, and the other, which is far more dangerous, is copying the message of the surrounding culture such as addressing the feared failing of the church in the face of modernism (Modernism is the philosophy that says that truth can only be known via scientific means, thus denying the supernatural aspects of the scriptures) by instituting the social gospel and shying away from the true, supernatural gospel of Jesus Christ (gty.org).
The newest trend for the evangelical community to latch onto is that of the Emerging Church. Unfortunately this has led to much confusion as the emerging church has some positive elements, but there are some dangerous parts to contend with as well. The confusion stems primarily from a lack of clear definition of the emergent church, which as Jan Markell says, “defining the EC [emergent church] is a little bit like nailing Jell-O to the wall”. There are so many different subcategories and nuances involved in the emergent church that there is almost no clear way to define it. Mark Driscoll, who is the preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and also one of the pioneers of the emerging church movement, gives a clear explanation of some of the different subcategories, which he numerates as –
1. The House Church movement
2. Emerging Evangelicals
3. Emergent Church
4. Emerging Reformed
Each of these must be explained in further detail and for the sake of clarity will be compared to the traditional views of Piedmont Baptist College.
The House Church Movement is clearly the most difficult to define as there is minimal, if any data to use in quantifying the beliefs of, or even the participation in this particular organization. The house church movement is a very loosely connected that is especially dogmatic on the priesthood of every believer, to the point that they consider the idea of a paid clergyman to be unbiblical. In some ways this can be seen as an extreme reaction to High Church establishments (such as the Roman Catholic or Anglican Church) or simply a misguided effort to recreate the New Testament church. This movement cannot be fully supported due to it being in clear denial of the biblical model of paying a pastor for his work as the Apostle Paul commanded in 1st Timothy 5:17-18 when he says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, you shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, and, the laborer deserves his wages.” The apostle Paul clearly felt that clergy deserved to be paid and it would be reckless of people today to ignore that command if they have the means with which to do it.
The comparison of the House Church movement and Piedmont is, due to the lack of evidence and cohesiveness, almost impossible to accurately examine. The main difference would be the aforementioned lack of paid pastoral leadership. The overall theology of this movement may or may not be questionable, but their ecclesiology is at best skewed and at worst heretical.

In the coming posts we will address the other streams of the movement with the Emerging Evangelicals due up next.

Note: I wrote this for a class (Church Administration at Piedmont Baptist College) the day before World Magazine pronounced the movement dead.I disagree with the articles stance as it dwells more on the label than the heart of the various streams of the movement, but it is still important to note that some see this trend as less trendy and more established.

Devotional Schedule

2009-06-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

First, I need to apologize for not putting my thoughts up here as often as I should have been. I have been reading the Bible but not journaling them as I ought. Second, I am in the midst of a super crazy couple of weeks with my internship so rather than handicap people who are able to do their devotions while I am away I am putting up a schedule of readings. This schedule is between 2-3 weeks of readings (depending on how many you’re able to do throughout the week). I would greatly encourage you, as I am finding out, to at least get your thoughts on to paper (even if you don’t want to share them) so that you take the time to process your thoughts and get the most from God’s word. Anyways here’s the schedule:

Devotional Schedule
Day 1: 1st Peter 2:9-17
Day 2: 1st Peter 2:18-25
Day 3: 1st Peter 3:1-7
Day 4: 1st Peter 3:8-12
Day 5: 1st Peter 3:13-22
Day 6: 1st Peter 4:1-6
Day 7: 1st Peter 4:7-11
Day 8: 1st Peter 4:12-19
Day 9: 1st Peter 5:1-7
Day 10: 1st Peter 5:8-14
Day 11: 2nd Peter 1:1-11
Day 12: 2nd Peter 1:12-21
Day 13: 2nd Peter 2:1-10
Day 14: 2nd Peter 2:11-16
Day 15: 2nd Peter 2:17-21

1 Peter 2:9-17

2009-06-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

This passage seems to be broken into three distinct sections, each of them developing from the previous.

1) Who we are (vv. 9-10)

2) What we should do about it (vv. 11-12)

3) How we should do it (13-17)

The apostle peter makes a case that since we are in Christ (who is the subject of the previous verses) and he is our foundation that we are to be separated unto God as a unique people because of that we are to live countercultural lives so that God may be glorified. In the final section the apostle Peter goes on to describe what living lives that glorify God means in its practical outworking.
The things Peter would have described would have been mind blowing for the first century believers. The emperor at the time was not just like our president who makes decisions that we may not agree with but overall is there by the will of the people. The emperor was literally killing the believers at this time; so honoring the emperor would have been a pretty tough task. Also, even though the emperor was killing the Christians it was not him and his capital punishment that they were to fear, they were only instructed to fear God.
God must be the all consuming motive for my life, not my self, my future, nothing can take the preeminent place of God. Peter emphasizes this fact here when first he describes Christ and our subsequent relationship to him, then at the end puts God above all human relationships.

I Peter 2:1-3

2009-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is written is most easily understood as a part of the passage we read yesterday, in many ways the two should be read together. So if you haven’t done yesterday’s read 1st Peter 1:22-2:3. If you did read it yesterday, I suggest going back and re-reading it as context for today’s passage. Here’s what I got…

Yesterday the passage contained a quote from the prophet Isaiah regarding the temporality of human life and the eternality of God’s word. Peter also addresses the necessity of loving other people and loving them with a pure heart as a result of being transformed by the Bible. In today’s passage Peter continues with that same theme of how the Christians life ought to be changed by being in God’s word. Peter does not end his discourse on the bible by leaving it at “go love others”, Peter in chapter 2 gives some things that need to be removed for this love from a pure heart to exist. He says to “put away” all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. Because once we are saved we are to long after the word, to need it for daily survival and speaking from personal experience I don’t love as I ought when I am not actively in God’s word. The part about “longing for pure spiritual milk” of the passage is accounting for something that I am experiencing right now and both grateful for and ashamed by my lack of it in the past. The more I am in God’s word every day the closer I get to God (which is afforded to me, in part, due to my current job) the more I need it and the more I am drawn to it. I thank God for giving me the privilege of being in a position where I am paid to study God’s word. I feel like a kid in a candy shop or one of those guys that gets paid to play video games. I have and am currently tasting how good the Lord is, both in the salvation that he has provided through Christ and his word, where I can learn more about him.

I Peter 1:22-25

2009-06-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

This passage almost instantly directed my mind to I John 2:9-11 which says “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” I know I am supposed to love fellow believers, but it is really helpful to see the motivation for that is not based on the other Christian (some of whom make it really difficult to love) but it must be based solely on the truth of who God is and the reality of my redemption from sin to God through Jesus Christ. When I see the massive debt that God has paid for me it is so hypocritical to hold a grudge someone else. The parable Jesus told about the unmerciful servant also comes to mind here. What is important to grasp is that when I look to God and see how awesome he is, my reaction to fellow man will be changed for the better. God is so awesome to forgive a person like me that it is only natural, that when I understand this I can try to love as he loves.

1st Peter 1:13-21

2009-06-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Having just got done teaching a group of kids the Genesis 1 creation account with the intent of showing them how big, strong and awesome God is I find it fitting that this is today’s passage. It not only tells of the magnificence of God as a Holy Judge, but also shows him as a father that provides grace (through the spotless lamb of Jesus Christ) to his children. This passage is a perfect continuation of the creation story in that it tells us how to respond to how awesome God is, with fear (v.17) and in a holy manner (v.16). We cannot accomplish this until we have received the forgiveness in Christ which is greater than anything that we could accomplish but it is also through this understanding of who God is, and how great he is that will ultimately cause us to fall deeper in love with him and therefore actively desire to be more like him.

In a nutshell God is huge, perfect, and omniscient. Sin is for ignorant people. God wants us to walk away from our ignorance and to be conformed to his image. So you can be associated with God or with stupidity. Not much of a choice there.

Praise God for who he is, what he’s done and his continued forgiveness.

1st Peter 1:10-12

2009-06-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

First off, I have to apologize for failing to journal my devotions the weekend, if my laziness hindered your devotions in any way I do apologize sincerely. This is what I got out of today’s passage – feel free to post it as a comment (you can even do it anonymously!)

This passage was honestly a little bit difficult for me to grasp at first – but as soon as it clicked it was such an encouraging truth to read! This passage really leads me to feeling grateful for the time that I’m living in, not only am I able to receive the benefits of the sacrifice of Christ but I am able to be free from the law, live in a time of grace and have the completed revelation of the Scriptures. It is through these things that I am able to understand how to succeed in suffering (the reoccurring theme in the book of 1st Peter). I should not only be able to understand how God wants me to live (by understanding him ultimately and trying to live as he did) through the scriptures but I should be grateful that I live in a time where Christ has been revealed. I am in a better position that the prophets of the Old Testament in that I am able to see the events unfolded and I am able to live in result of the work of Christ. Not only should I be able to survive in times of suffering but through the work of Christ and the Scriptures I should be able to thrive spiritually, even in the bad times physically and emotionally!

Read the passage here!

2009-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

We as a family are doing our devotions together, and because of the different hectic schedules we are [attempting] to use this blog as a central point to grow together (Proverbs 27:17). That being said this is not limited to our family and as long as you come in a spirit willing to learn from the Bible and grow closer to him we'd love for you to join in. We're going through the books of 1st and 2nd Peter and then eventually the book of James. Today is day 1 and we're starting with 1st Peter 1:1-9

I Peter 1:1-9 [link to the passage - http://tinyurl.com/ipeter1]
Here right off the bat we see the Apostle Peter writing with the intent of magnifying the name of God. Phrases like “according to his great mercy” and “blessed be God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “by God’s power”. Salvation is a great and incredible thing, but before I focus on how great it is for me that I’ve been redeemed to an everlasting life that cannot be destroyed I must focus on how great God is for being able to provide such a thing.

Peter also touches on the major theme of this book “success in suffering” (see verses 6-9) but he also give the main motivation/power source for me to be able to rejoice in suffering; knowing the glory and sovereignty of the God of my salvation. If I can trust God to save me eternally the things of day to day life seem much more trivial.
How liberating of a thought! I can rejoice in every situation because the God that saved me is testing me that I can grow closer to him in hard times. Almost makes me want to pray for more persecution of the church in America so that we as a whole might grow closer to God through dependency on him and not our comfort!

Soli Deo Gloria

Sunday Night Sermon (Failure)

2009-06-08T08:45:00.001-07:00

To all of the Colonial people that are checking for this for the sermon for last night; I accidentally deleted it last night, so I have been spending all morning looking for a way to recover the file, no luck as of yet. If you just want to leave you comments about the sermon last night you can do do it here or wait until the sermon is up later.

Hopefully by this evening it will be up!

Thanks so much for you patience.

Introduction to 1st Peter

2009-06-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

As we look at the introduction to 1^st Peter we need to look at the five “w’s” (and one “h”) of basic journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.

I Peter 1:1-9 – The glorious mercy of God

Who:

Peter is writing to the Jewish believers scattered abroad about God the Father and Jesus Christ

What:

Peter is writing firstly about the common thread that he shares with these scattered believers (“to those who are [the] elect… according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood”)

Second he is writing about the mercy shown by God to us through Jesus Christ (vv.3-5)

Third, he is writing about the sanctification of these believers through the various trials that they will face (vv.6-9)

Where:

Jews scattered abroad (see verse 1)

When:

63-64 A.D.

Why:

The why of Peter writing has been covered succinctly above, but the “why” of God showing mercy to us, and the why of us being sanctified are both the same – the glory of God. It is expressly stated in verse 7 “the genuineness of you faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Christ”, and it is implied throughout the passage, the fact of God glorifying himself is seen through the redeemed glorifying him, his great mercy being proclaimed and even that our salvation is eternal and guarded by his power. God’s name is magnified through our salvation and sanctification. [Throughout the book as a whole the theme of success in suffering is seen repeatedly].

How:

The goodness, love and ultimately mercy of God is how we can be redeemed and sanctified.

Apply:

The biggest application here is that we all ought to rejoice in my salvation more. The gospel is something that we often take for granted due to the familiarity of it. But beyond that to remember that my purpose is to glorify God and that is done through having a genuine faith (v.7)that can been seen through times of suffering.