Why We Should Beware of the Emerging Church?

[righteousdude2]

--> Can a Person be SPIRITUALLY ABUSED? <--

You better believe it...this world has its share of cults, and even well meaning people, who hang out their shingle with true sincerity to serve God!

The problem is, somewhere along the way to being a place that helps others by introducing them to Jesus, they get caught up in things like the need to CONTROL their members with misinterpretation of the Gospel [and if people do not rely on their own Bible when being taught, they can be deceived] leading to guilt trips; spiritual bullying; and worst of all falling into the Satanic trap of having preachers and teachers who are there to TICKLE their ears with partial truths!

Some may say, "Pastor Paul aren't you being awfully judgmental?" And I would answer that by reminding you that Satan started lying to us in the Garden when he said to Eve, "Surely you will not die for a bite of that apple?" And he is continuing to lie his way to the hearts and minds of the multitudes in cults, non-Christian religions, and now the Emergent Chruch, which just happens to be one of the most popular movements going on around the world today!

And I felt it necessary to provide you with Characteristics and Warning Signs of this dangerous movement...a movement that has the multitudes of young people, especially, flocking to its pews:

CHARACTERISTICS of the Emergent Church

>Sound biblical doctrine is dangerous and divisive, and the experiential (i.e.,mystical) is given a greater role than doctrine.
>Bible prophecy is no longer taught and is considered a waste of time
>Israel becomes less and less important and has no biblical significance
>Eventually the promises for Israel are applied to the church and not Israel (Replacement Theology).
>Bible study is replaced by studying someone’s book and his methods
>Church health is evaluated on the quantity of people who attend.
>The truth of God’s Word becomes less and less important
God’s Word, especially concepts like hell, sin and repentance, is eventually downplayed so the unbeliever is not offended.
>They invite leaders from cults and other religions to share the teachings of the specific cult, or non-Christian denomiation, in the name of tolerance.

SIGNS You are in an EMERGENT Church

*Scripture is no longer the ->ultimate authority<- as the basis for the Christian faith.
*The centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic methods promoting church growth and a social gospel.
*More and more emphasis is being placed on building the kingdom of God now and less and less on the warnings of the Scripture about the imminent return of Jesus Christ and a coming judgment in the future.
*The teaching that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period is considered unbiblical and heretical.
*The teaching that the church has taken the place of Israel and Israel has no prophetic significance is often embraced.
*The teaching that the Book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has been already fulfilled in the past
*An experiential mystical form of Christianity begins to be promoted as a method to reach the ->postmodern<- generation.
*Ideas are promoted teaching that ->Christianity needs to be reinvented<- in order to provide meaning for this generation.
*The pastor may implement an idea called “ancient-future” or “vintage Christianity” claiming that in order to take the church forward, we need to go back in church history and find out what experiences were effective to get people to embrace Christianity.
*While the authority of the Word of God is undermined, images and sensual experiences are promoted as the key to experiencing and knowing God.
*These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations, contemplative prayer, experiencing the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist.
*There seems to be a strong emphasis on -->ecumenism<-- indicating that a bridge is being established that leads in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church.
*Some evangelical Protestant leaders are saying that the Reformation went too far. They are reexamining the claims of the “church fathers” saying that communion is more than a symbol and that Jesus actually becomes present in the wafer at communion.
*There will be a growing trend towards an ecumenical unity for the cause of world peace claiming the validity of other religions and that there are many ways to God.
*Members of churches who question or resist the new changes that the pastor is implementing are reprimanded and usually asked to leave.
*Homosexuality, same-gender marriages, etc., are not only accepted, but these people will hold key positions in the church from ordained pastors on down....

Remember that in Romans 1:21-25, Paul clearly shows that these people would be turned over to the lies they chose to believe, and finally in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) we read, "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."

SO....like that little Sunday School jingle says:
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see. . . .
Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear. . . .
Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say. . . .
Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do. . . .
Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go. . . .

Shalom, and may God keep your feet safely, soundly and securely on the Narrow Path!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

All your doing here Paul is describing the Catholic church.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Even though there are some pastors in the Emergent Church Movement that are true to scripture, the movement as a whole needs to stick to the essentials of the Christian faith, otherwise, in spite of its proclamation to renew Christianity afresh, it will become stale and heretical. In fact, it is already, in many cases, delving into the realm of heresy. No one, no movement of people should ever be so arrogant as to say that they can't fall into error -- even though they seek truth. As I've always said, if you want to mess something up, all you need is two things: People and time. The Emergent Church movement has much good in it, but it also has a good bit of bad already within its doors.

I have voted that it is a waste of time to debate those in the so-called "emergent church." Those who are sold out to it are convinced they are following God. Those who would destroy the church -- the body of Christ -- see it as an opportunity to mislead those who want their ears tickled.

Folks, the world is going to go down the toilet, and judgment will come. We can help the individual, but we have to have a relationship with him or her in order to keep that person on the right track. We can't stand on a soap box and condemn a movement and hope to be anything more than a clanging cymbal, out of tune with the orchestra of the emergent church -- or any other effort that tries to be inclusive of the world in leading people to Christ.

They don't realize the gospel is divisive, the gospel rips relationships asunder, the gospel demands we forsake the world. They think they can include the world and still reach souls for Christ. There are a few they can reach that way. The rest are just going to be misled.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Even though there are some pastors in the Emergent Church Movement that are true to scripture, the movement as a whole needs to stick to the essentials of the Christian faith, otherwise, in spite of its proclamation to renew Christianity afresh, it will become stale and heretical. In fact, is it already, in many cases, delving into the realm of heresy. No one, no movement of people should ever be so arrogant as to say that they can't fall into error -- even though they seek truth. As I've always said, if you want to mess something up, all you need is two things: People and time. The Emergent Church movement has much good in it, but it also has a good bit of bad already within its doors.

I have voted that it is a waste of time to debate those in the so-called "emergent church." Those who are sold out to it are convinced they are following God. Those who would destroy the church -- the body of Christ -- see it as an opportunity to mislead those who want their ears tickled.

Folks, the world is going to go down the toilet, and judgment will come. We can help the individual, but we have to have a relationship with him or her in order to keep that person on the right track. We can't stand on a soap box and condemn a movement and hope to be anything more than a clanging cymbal, out of tune with the orchestra of the emergent church -- or any other effort that tries to be inclusive of the world in leading people to Christ.

They don't realize the gospel is divisive, the gospel rips relationships asunder, the gospel demands we forsake the world. They think they can include the world and still reach souls for Christ. There are a few they can reach that way. The rest are just going to be misled.

Good post....I agree.:thumbsup:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Maybe I dont understand what a Emerging Church really is....but I did think they were REGRESSING.

Please, this is an Emerging (IE Growing) Church in my area. They appear to be attracting young people (through music) however my son (22 YO) & his friends see right through it & view it as a joke. However they are getting headcount.....most likely from the 30 somethings with little kids (looking for churches that are NOT traditional). They really dont attract the older generations so.....

Anyway, here is the link.....please indicate how you would identify them.

http://www.liquidchurch.com/godbox/4/

 

[Revmitchell]

Be careful not to conflate the Emerging and the Emergent.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Be careful not to conflate the Emerging and the Emergent.

Whats the difference?

 

[Revmitchell]

Whats the difference?

The Emergent is an extreme wing and has folks like Tony Campolo and and Brian McLaren. These guys are extreme theological liberals.

The Emerging would contain guys like Mark Driscoll although he as stepped away from any such labels these days.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The Emergent is an extreme wing and has folks like Tony Campolo and and Brian McLaren. These guys are extreme theological liberals.

The local UMC hosted Tony Campolo as a key note speaker for a Thanksgiving service ..... I attended it & he was entertaining ... he emphasized Actions over Sitting in a Church. I would agree with him that actions are important as a way to display Christianity. Now this LIQUID CHURCH, really is the only thing in this area that appears alive. I say appears, I see many flaws to it frankly....it is overtly emotional & car salesman/dirt merchant like. At least thats my individual analysis.....so if this is Emergent, then give it time & it will fall flat on its face.

 

[Revmitchell]

The local UMC hosted Tony Campolo as a key note speaker for a Thanksgiving service ..... I attended it & he was entertaining ... he emphasized Actions over Sitting in a Church. I would agree with him that actions are important as a way to display Christianity. Now this LIQUID CHURCH, really is the only thing in this area that appears alive. I say appears, I see many flaws to it frankly....it is overtly emotional & car salesman/dirt merchant like. At least thats my individual analysis.....so if this is Emergent, then give it time & it will fall flat on its face.

Tony Campolo is a proponent of socials justice and Marxism. He is pro abortion anti capital punishment, he is very pro-Democrat party. He is for far to many things God says do not do.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Tony Campolo is a proponent of socials justice and Marxism. He is pro abortion anti capital punishment, he is very pro-Democrat party. He is for far to many things God says do not do.

Well he did not promote himself as that. Your current presidential administration has the same agenda. Are you saying that the POTUS & Staff are Emergent? :smilewinkgrin:

Never mind.

 

[Yeshua1]

Even though there are some pastors in the Emergent Church Movement that are true to scripture, the movement as a whole needs to stick to the essentials of the Christian faith, otherwise, in spite of its proclamation to renew Christianity afresh, it will become stale and heretical. In fact, it is already, in many cases, delving into the realm of heresy. No one, no movement of people should ever be so arrogant as to say that they can't fall into error -- even though they seek truth. As I've always said, if you want to mess something up, all you need is two things: People and time. The Emergent Church movement has much good in it, but it also has a good bit of bad already within its doors.

I have voted that it is a waste of time to debate those in the so-called "emergent church." Those who are sold out to it are convinced they are following God. Those who would destroy the church -- the body of Christ -- see it as an opportunity to mislead those who want their ears tickled.

Folks, the world is going to go down the toilet, and judgment will come. We can help the individual, but we have to have a relationship with him or her in order to keep that person on the right track. We can't stand on a soap box and condemn a movement and hope to be anything more than a clanging cymbal, out of tune with the orchestra of the emergent church -- or any other effort that tries to be inclusive of the world in leading people to Christ.

They don't realize the gospel is divisive, the gospel rips relationships asunder, the gospel demands we forsake the world. They think they can include the world and still reach souls for Christ. There are a few they can reach that way. The rest are just going to be misled.

Since Robb Bell /brian mclearen are their primary theologian for now, would say that the "Emergent Church" is really postmodern Christianity, trying to get away from historical doctrines, and reshape theology in modern views that society can agree with!

 

[preachinjesus]

I don't know what "Emergent" or emerging churches the OP has been around, but the lists and characteristics given are pretty poor.

 

[InTheLight]

I don't know what "Emergent" or emerging churches the OP has been around, but the lists and characteristics given are pretty poor.

It's a copy-and-paste job from here:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c54.shtml

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Since Robb Bell /brian mclearen are their primary theologian for now, would say that the "Emergent Church" is really postmodern Christianity, trying to get away from historical doctrines, and reshape theology in modern views that society can agree with!

Thats a good concise explaination.

 

[preachinjesus]

It's a copy-and-paste job from here:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c54.shtml

Thanks for running that down. It's embarrassing to have people cut and paste without attribution. In college that called plagiarism.

We should be better than that.

 

[InTheLight]

Thanks for running that down. It's embarrassing to have people cut and paste without attribution. In college that called plagiarism.

We should be better than that.

And OP says he's a writer...

 

[Yeshua1]

Thats a good concise explaination.

Basically, it is the old "social Gospel;", for rights and helping the poor, with the theology of Jesus being Saviour and Lord, but not really defined as the bible has, but as modern culture would have Him defined!

Big into allowing for alternate lifestyles, not really wanting to sey "hard definitions" for doctrines/theology, as Jesus death and resurrection they would say is true, but how God saves sinner thru Him not as black and white as chrsitians only!

 

[Revmitchell]

--> Can a Person be SPIRITUALLY ABUSED? <--

You better believe it...this world has its share of cults, and even well meaning people, who hang out their shingle with true sincerity to serve God!

The problem is, somewhere along the way to being a place that helps others by introducing them to Jesus, they get caught up in things like the need to CONTROL their members with misinterpretation of the Gospel [and if people do not rely on their own Bible when being taught, they can be deceived] leading to guilt trips; spiritual bullying; and worst of all falling into the Satanic trap of having preachers and teachers who are there to TICKLE their ears with partial truths!

Some may say, "Pastor Paul aren't you being awfully judgmental?" And I would answer that by reminding you that Satan started lying to us in the Garden when he said to Eve, "Surely you will not die for a bite of that apple?" And he is continuing to lie his way to the hearts and minds of the multitudes in cults, non-Christian religions, and now the Emergent Chruch, which just happens to be one of the most popular movements going on around the world today!

And I felt it necessary to provide you with Characteristics and Warning Signs of this dangerous movement...a movement that has the multitudes of young people, especially, flocking to its pews:

CHARACTERISTICS of the Emergent Church

>Sound biblical doctrine is dangerous and divisive, and the experiential (i.e.,mystical) is given a greater role than doctrine.
>Bible prophecy is no longer taught and is considered a waste of time
>Israel becomes less and less important and has no biblical significance
>Eventually the promises for Israel are applied to the church and not Israel (Replacement Theology).
>Bible study is replaced by studying someone’s book and his methods
>Church health is evaluated on the quantity of people who attend.
>The truth of God’s Word becomes less and less important
God’s Word, especially concepts like hell, sin and repentance, is eventually downplayed so the unbeliever is not offended.
>They invite leaders from cults and other religions to share the teachings of the specific cult, or non-Christian denomiation, in the name of tolerance.

SIGNS You are in an EMERGENT Church

*Scripture is no longer the ->ultimate authority<- as the basis for the Christian faith.
*The centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic methods promoting church growth and a social gospel.
*More and more emphasis is being placed on building the kingdom of God now and less and less on the warnings of the Scripture about the imminent return of Jesus Christ and a coming judgment in the future.
*The teaching that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period is considered unbiblical and heretical.
*The teaching that the church has taken the place of Israel and Israel has no prophetic significance is often embraced.
*The teaching that the Book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has been already fulfilled in the past
*An experiential mystical form of Christianity begins to be promoted as a method to reach the ->postmodern<- generation.
*Ideas are promoted teaching that ->Christianity needs to be reinvented<- in order to provide meaning for this generation.
*The pastor may implement an idea called “ancient-future” or “vintage Christianity” claiming that in order to take the church forward, we need to go back in church history and find out what experiences were effective to get people to embrace Christianity.
*While the authority of the Word of God is undermined, images and sensual experiences are promoted as the key to experiencing and knowing God.
*These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations, contemplative prayer, experiencing the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist.
*There seems to be a strong emphasis on -->ecumenism<-- indicating that a bridge is being established that leads in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church.
*Some evangelical Protestant leaders are saying that the Reformation went too far. They are reexamining the claims of the “church fathers” saying that communion is more than a symbol and that Jesus actually becomes present in the wafer at communion.
*There will be a growing trend towards an ecumenical unity for the cause of world peace claiming the validity of other religions and that there are many ways to God.
*Members of churches who question or resist the new changes that the pastor is implementing are reprimanded and usually asked to leave.
*Homosexuality, same-gender marriages, etc., are not only accepted, but these people will hold key positions in the church from ordained pastors on down....

Remember that in Romans 1:21-25, Paul clearly shows that these people would be turned over to the lies they chose to believe, and finally in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) we read, "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."

SO....like that little Sunday School jingle says:
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see. . . .
Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear. . . .
Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say. . . .
Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do. . . .
Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go. . . .

Shalom, and may God keep your feet safely, soundly and securely on the Narrow Path!

Did you swipe this from someone else without sourcing it? Maybe you just forgot to put the link.

 

[Yeshua1]

Did you swipe this from someone else without sourcing it? Maybe you just forgot to put the link.

Seems to happen quite a bit around here!