The “We’re In, You’re Out” Mentality

[Revmitchell]

What do you think? Is clear concise theology antithetical to the gospel? Or is the deconstruction of historical theology?

Read Here​

 

[Goldie]

Correct me if I'm wrong - but what they're saying is that the church hasn't kept up with post-modern wordly developments that's why it cannot win more souls for Christ? In other words, the church isn't "seeker-friendly" enough and is too fuddy duddy and that it needs to change to fit into the world? Whereas the Bible holds a clear doctrine of separation?

To my mind, the reason why "evangelicals" have failed is because they are preaching a false gospel of works salvation, they are ecumenists and put man before God and His Word. Besides, we are currently experiencing the Biblical doctrine of a great end-time apostasy in the Christian faith - the Harlot Church is being formed to follow her Antichrist.

 

[Marcia]

This paragraph is typical of a straw man or maybe of painting with a broad brush:

believe one weakness in evangelicalism that the emerging church is responding to is evangelicalism's excessively rationalist approach to truth and salvation that birthed a stubborn "we're in/you're out" mentality. There has been an impulse in evangelical fundamentalism towards (a) an intolerant judgmental exclusivism, (b) an arrogant, even violent, certainty about what we do know, and (c) a hyper-cognitive gospel that takes the mystery out of everything.

This is how a lot of the emergents talk. Some of them apparently were in legalistic churches but the mistake they make is assuming all evangelical churches are like what they experienced. They make false dichotomies and make it sound bad to be rational (so reminiscent of the New Age!). They think anyone who disagrees or believes in telling people about hell are fundamentalist, judgmental, etc. Well, Jesus was exclusive and pretty judgmental, too! He's going to be even more so when He returns.

This statement is what many Emergents say and is one I find ambiguous:

The good news is that God has come in Christ inaugurating his salvation in the world. In Christ (and His Kingdom) there is now forgiveness of sins that sets loose grace and forgiveness among us and to the world. In Christ (and His Kingdom) there is reconciliation with God that breeds a new reconciliation among us and to the world (2 Cor 5:18-20). In Christ (and His Kingdom) there is a healing that has begun through the cross among us and to the world. In Christ's Rule there is indeed a new politic, a way of being, living in the life of God made possible in Christ's life, death, and resurrection that takes shape among us and into the world. Behold all things are made new (Rev 21.1.; 2 Cor 5:17). Our calling is nothing more or less than to invite the world into this incredible new life.

There is no mention of faith in Christ needed for the reconciliation, and no need to proclaim the gospel. Instead, it sounds like what Christ did has already saved everyone and not it's up to us to build the kingdom. Christ has atoned for sins and all we need to do is tell everyone this and "invite" them into this new life. I say this because I have corresponded with universalists and this is how they talk.