The short answer is no if solid, Bible-believing Christians preach truth and stand on the Word of God. However, in today's world of apostasy, the stakes are higher and so are the casualties.The EmergentChurch is not new, but it hid in the shadows until recently.I recently had this email:
Jan: When you first started talking about the EmergentChurch I thought, sure, this is a California experience. I didn't have to worry.How wrong!In Michigan it is now everywhere!
When Pastor Bob DeWaay told me one and a half years ago that it was the next step beyond seeker-sensitive and worse than that, I thought, how is this possible?He was right.As a matter of fact, CBS News did a feature on it calling it a powerful new movement and the fastest-growing one in Christianity with up to 20 million participants. The clip is played on the broadcast from August 5 now posted on "radio archives" here:http://www.olivetreeviews.org/radio/mp3/When you really learn of all its goals and practices, this should send chills down your spine.
Roger Oakland, one of the best analysts of this movement, and Bob DeWaay, reported a lot of startling information on air.I have made my own conclusions here.The emphasis goes well beyond the Bible to extra-biblical paraphernalia, extrasensory images, sounds, smells, silence, darkness, icons, statues, rosary beads for Protestants, Yoga, contemplative prayer--all for a FULL SENSORY IMMERSION in the divine.Why are these things even necessary when the "old time religion" did well preaching a solid gospel with no bells and whistles?Why do we have to encounter God with our "senses"?He lives within us--that's sufficient.He's a prayer away, hardly dependent on candles and incense and icons.Why do Protestants have to draw on Catholic and Orthodox practices to "get closer to God"?
Try to pin these folks down as to their beliefs and be prepared for frustration and confusion.Pastor DeWaay related on air how frustrating his debate was with Emergent leader Doug Pagitt as Pagitt dodged every question making sure the EmergentChurch would NOT be defined.My conclusion: It draws on many religions but is leading to the participation in the one world religion.
According to EC leader Brian McLaren, most anyone can follow Jesus including Buddhists and Hindus.He emphasizes "injustice, oppression, greed, and war."Finally, a major truth comes out: This is just the old social gospel. But his most troubling statement is that we need to ". . . emulate Roman Catholicism to become more mystical in our reverence of God."Why did we have the Reformation, I ask?So that we could get far from Rome and closer to God!He has it backwards, as is his whole movement.The longing for the mystical will lead one to become a victim of every wind of doctrine!
As Roger Oakland states, this is not a revival but a return to darkness.It cannot be countered until Christians become better informed about it and when the darkened rooms, candles, and other touchy-feely services spring up in your church and you say something and demand a return to basic Bible doctrines and solid gospel preaching.These Emergent leaders are not "brave new voices."They are deceptive wolves devouring naive, usually young "sheeple," leading the Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers down a path to further darkness.What will these youth "emerge" into?Confused, questioning young people with no solid grounding, believing in nothing and thus falling for everything.
I received this email from Australia today.It shows that our churches are in deep trouble but let's not end the thought there.God can still do a great thing in our churches; yet the Bible talks about the end-time apostasy.In II Thessalonians 2:3 it talks about the "falling away" in the end-times. Some translations call it the "great falling away" . . . in other words, no small thing.The writer states this:
Jan: Where I live in an area of the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, every church is compromised, every church. To receive any good, sound Bible teaching, I have to rely on the internet and my Bible and the help of God's Holy Spirit.
To get Roger Oakland's DVD on the EmergingChurch, see my Web site and "Our Products" here:http://www.olivetreeviews.org/catalog.shtmlTo purchase the DeWaay/Pagitt debate DVD, visit www.cicministry.org.Also see this category of "Spiritual Deception" on my Web site, http://www.olivetreeviews.org/topics/spiritual_deception.shtml to learn much more about this and other deceiving movements prominent today.This topic will be covered at our October 6-7 Understanding the Times 2006 conference.All information is here: http://www.olivetreeviews.org/conferences.shtml
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 09/15/06 09:22:59 AM
Age 58, WA
My church has been following much of this program. I've been watching very closely and l haven't seen anything as yet that compromises the word of God.
I think it depends a lot on your Pastor and the leaders in the church...How they interpret the original message.
I'm not much for 'large group programs' because of the opportunity the enemy has to come in and manipulate according to 'his' purposes. That's why l like the fact that my church is using the basic outline but sticking with Biblical principles and not being swayed by the ornamentation. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/13/06 08:41:38 AM
Age 68, FL
Good and timely article.
As I see it the EC is no more of a challenge to God, His Word and the Church than any other false worship/religious practice. The two paths, Truth or Falsehood, have been travelled by man since Adam and Eve.
There is something else to be considered here. The sad fact is that many, if not most, follow this EC Falsehood because they consciously and continually reject God and His Word.
Anyhow, it does make one ponder Jesus statement in Luke 18:8, "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on earth?" Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/12/06 01:31:38 PM
Age 31, NE
Jan, My heart broke when you said that so many churches have been compromised in your area that you can't find one to make your church home. When I forwarded your article to a Lutheran pastor friend of mine, he sent back a link to the Lutheran Church of Australia (http://www.lca.org.au/search/church/mapsearch.cfm?ID=19) for you to look at. I went to the website to check out their statements about worship. I found it to be a relevant response to the issues you're talking about. I feel your concern in a very personal way as my husband & I have just come through a storm dealing with a church who calls themselves Lutheran ( of one of the more conservative synods) that have fallen into the same trap you're talking about. Though it took a lot of searching, we have found a faithful church who is actively resisting the current trends & fads. Don't give up! Worldview Weekend, esp. David Noebel & Ken Ham's ministries have been an integral part of our maturation as Christians, but nothing can replace having a church home in which you are being fed through Word & Sacrament!
I wanted to add that there are legitimate uses of human senses in worship: the ones prescribed by Scripture. Two good examples are the Word, (written, made into visual art, spoken & sung or chanted) & Sacraments (1. Baptism in which we are united with Christ through water & the Word--touch & hearing. 2. Communion in which Christ offers His body & blood for us to touch, smell & taste.) Surely, it is a delicate balance, but I find that truly Lutheran theology & practice provides the answer. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 11/14/07 03:37:08 PM
Age 53, CANADA
Quoting from the article "Where I live in an area of the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, every church is compromised, every church. To receive any good, sound Bible teaching, I have to rely on the internet and my Bible and the help of God's Holy Spirit."
It really saddens me to think that Jesus came to help us to rely on God alone and yet we continue to have to find props for ourselves. I think disciples are growing when they read the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to be their teacher. We do need to gather with other believers for sure but look at Jesus' model not for the perfect church. He met in small groups, large outdoor gatherings and with individuals. This was the Church because we are the church. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/10/06 05:00:24 PM
Age 53, NZ
The key to any controversy is to avoid the details and zero in on the essential principle involved, which in matters of religion usually involve one or more of three things: Legalism, Antinomianism (Lawlessness) or Mysticism. If we had understood that these things are evil, anti-Biblical concepts, our churches would never have been swamped with Pentecostalism, Modernism, or the Purpose-Driven apostasy. This Emergent Paganism is just another appeal from Mysticism, which, if we have our heads in our Bibles poses no danger at all. The three evils listed above all arise from a dissatisfaction with the word of God, and a desire for something more, in which case we deserve the inevitable outcome of our faithlessness. - Tumbleweed Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/10/06 04:18:37 PM
Age 56, IL
I did not have a clue about Emergent or Seeker-sensitive churches or that type of influence until a few months ago. I felt something wasn't right in my church(of 10 years)but thought maybe there was something wrong in my attitude that I felt that way. It never occurred to me to think my church should be questioned. Or that the leadership could be so immersed in the writings of men they wouldn't notice the misuse of scripture by those men. By the time many of us realize there is another agenda operating in our churches and attempt to talk to our leadership about where we're headed, most of our church family has bought into the changes. The grief is gut-wrenching. I've been reading many articles and books to inform myself on what is happening. How do you talk to people about these things when they think you are the one who must be deluded or crazy?! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/09/06 10:35:12 PM
Age 28, MN
Thank you Jan (also Bob DeWaay and Roger Oakland) for your teachings on the Emergent Church. The stuff that the Emergent Church encompasses has never remotely enticed me, so I find it even more necessary to go back again and again to educate myself with truth about the movement.
I can't even tell you how many times I've been talking with my "good Christian" friends to find out they are into yoga and other EC practices. Each time it still hits me like a sledgehammer to the heart. They are looking for a form of godliness but denying its power. Followers of mysticism deny the demonic power behind their mystical experiences as well as deny the power of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
I don't need mystical practices to feel close to God; When I read His Word, he takes my breath away by showing me deeper truths that are on a firm foundation - not fleeting like feelings or experiences.
Keep up the good work. Thank you. Shalom. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/09/06 09:49:32 PM
Age 47, FL
This is an excellent article, which unfortunately is full of truth. The movement is not as easily noticable as one would think, and truly requires discernment to recognize. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will the Emergent Church Submerge Your Church?
Posted On: 08/09/06 09:13:29 PM
Age 55, ID
Thank you for another expert exposer of the Emergent Church Movement. I wasn't familiar with Roger Oakland. Click here to reply to this post
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