(e)mergent Voyageurs

From the beginning, I have engaged the emerging church conversation because I believed it constructively and redemptively examined the influences on our lives and faith, both positive and negative. I truly believe that the church- largely Western Evangelicalism- with all its important and essential characteristics, has drifted from God's intended purposes for His people, and I believe the emerging church has a significant part (and I stress, part) to play in calling and guiding us back.

However, I have become, like many others, somewhat frustrated by the general failure towards concerted action in response to this drift. Certainly there have been great strides made by some, but generally most of the praxis we have seen has been ecclesiological, specifically the Sabbath worship gathering. While these have been excellent and important developments, I feel as though there has been lacking a larger lifestyle transformation, especially by communities (as opposed to individual changes, which are important but overall inadequate).

Some would argue that true change only comes when first there is important and intensive theological examination, both a critique of current theological drift and the pursuit of authentic understanding. Out of this will come a stronger foundation upon which we can shape the transformed praxis. There is a great deal to be said for this, as I believe the complexity of theology needs to be engaged. However, the primacy of this endeavour is what worries me. As Miroslav Volf said:


As we examine the course of human history, such as the Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah, we find that the restoration from drift has been a pattern that has repeated itself before. I believe that there is a great deal we can learn if we are willing to examine the circumstances, realities and dynamics of these events and eras. In understanding how God guided His people back to His intentions in the past, we may discover important keys to our own restoration.

While some will dismiss this as inconsequential, an interesting thing emerges when you look at these eras. For example, in Jeremiah's time, called the Axial Age (roughly the period between 800 BC to 200 BC) saw some stunning parallels with other religious traditions in unconnected regions. One key stunning commonality between these groups is the emphasis on an active spirituality that called people back to active holiness- not simply moral ethically living (for this was a result of holiness, not the substance of it)- but rather a commitment to creating communities committed to compassion, justice and peace. They had little patience for religion that was defined by adherence to a code of morality or commitment to dogmatic apologetic.

It should also be noted that these transformations occurred in times of turbulent and violent times. As their worlds seemed on the verge of tearing themselves apart, they responded to this tragedy by rejecting what the larger culture embraced as the inevitable reality. They called people to follow a "way", a deeply praxis rooted lifestyle that sought to create in the world a reflection of what could be and should be. I believe that the Judeo-Christian expression of this tranformation was the supreme embodiment of this truth, with the others drawn, if imperfectly, towards this deeper truth hidden in their hearts.

Looking at this, one might see that postmodernity is exactly (or at least, largely) what I am describing- that is, a rejection of the drift of faith and the resulting impact on our lives, our churches and the larger society. However, where the critique may be consistant, I do not believe it has proven itself in calling and modelling the active, radical, transformative lifestyle necessary to truly bring change. This is why I believe postmodernity is a good critique, but not solution.

I truly believe that Jesus' life and message embodied the sharpest and clearest example of what we are truly called to. While we can contextualize our incarnational response to this call- indeed, it is crucial that we do- it is this timeless example and message, made possible through His eternal sacrafice, that provides the true answers we need to respond to this tragic drift. Not the tamed, domesticated version of Jesus message, robbed of its revolutionary and radical nature, but the sacraficial call to pursue the impossible with faith in an infinitely powerful and loving God.

Therefore, if the emerging church wants to have its voice heard, its call and critique validated, it must be careful not to be distracted by the articulateion of its important (though limited) message, but rather to pursue, model and call people to a communal incarnation of Christlikeness. I fear that the over-engagement and (at times) infatuation with theological considerations come at the expense of this radical call to God's way. This next season for the church in the emerging culture must resist an imbalanced emphasis on defending or arguing our position, deconstructing the theologies of others and development of contextual Sabbath worship expressions. These must be engaged and explored, but must be submitted to the higher calling to live as Christ in a world desperately needing Him.


Emerging Church