(e)mergent Voyageurs

Like many others, I first came across Scot McKnight as I explored the emerging journey. His was (and remains) a voice of reason, balance, and passionate vision for what could be- not just for those in the “emergent conversation”, but for the whole Church. His excellent book, “The Jesus Creed” (recently named Christian Living Book of the Year by Christianity Today- with good reason) continues to both challenge and inspire everyone who reads it.

With his new book, “Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us”, Scot has outdone himself, laying out a generous and engaging foundation to exploring the question: What is the Gospel? Starting with the premise that “the Gospel is the work of God to restore human beings to union with God and communion with others, in the context of community for the good of others and the world”, this Gospel of embracing grace reminds us of our true identity, Eikons- created in His image, broken by sin.

Recently, Scot has been posting a series of blogs on this very question of Gospel (starting Here). In the comment section of a different blog, someone criticizes him for depersonalizing the Gospel. While taken alone and out of larger context, I can see how someone might come to this conclusion, I believe the opposite to be true. In addition to the personal embrace of Christ to individuals, Scot unfolds a richer, broader and deeper understand of the Gospel that, instead of reducing the personal, gives it true meaning. Through a wider reading of both his blog and his books, combined with his remarkably friendly and approachable personality, one cannot help be see how this very personal Gospel has touched his life (and his family).

Though representing a very small (perhaps under developed) aspect of the book, the emphasis on God’s & humanity’s relationship to Creation was an unexpected, but necessary dimension. The restorative work of God is an extension of his Love, through which He seeks to embrace His whole creation. “For God so loved the WORLD (Gr. kosmos)…” . This has been too often neglected from the core discussion of the faith, making its place in the book promising.

Reminiscent of Richard Foster’s essential “Streams of Living Water”, the book introduces examples from the Biblical, historical and contemporary spheres to highlight and “flesh out” the ideas. As always, he is fair, but honest in his exploration of ideas and experiences from a broad range of sources, providing a surprisingly thorough AND accessible read.

While this site has been largely dedicated to the ideas and challenges of the emergent journey, for which Scot McKnight has been a wise and important commentator, this book should not, by any means, be limited by being claimed as anything less than message for everyone. I would as soon recommend this book to the pastors of my very conservative childhood church as I would to my very skeptical, “unbelieving” uncle (and I am careful with both).

Certainly this book cannot begin to contain the fullness of the Gospel, especially as a central theme in the book is the need for us to discover of the embracing grace of God in the context of community. And while I might take exception to a few points (namely his seemingly unwavering rejection of satire), this is only to be expected.

That being said, it has been a long time since a book so deeply challenged me- in the ideas and articulations of my faith; in the compassion and passion for God, others and all Creation; in my willingness to make choices towards this embrace, this gift, this grace. Too often I find believers (myself included), even those in “full time ministry”, who do not really know what the Gospel is. Or perhaps more accurately, we fail to recognize the implications of the Gospel. “Embracing Grace” offers both a solid foundation and framework to build on from which, together, we can see God’s “Kingdom come, on earth, as it is in heaven”.