The Postmodern Church
What’s known as the Emerging or Emergent Church has risen up in response to postmodernism. This group is comprised of largely young leaders who want to reach their generation (those born in the 1980s and after have never known anything but our postmodern culture).
In some ways, the Emergent Church has it completely right. What they long for is authentic relationships with God and with each other. Instead of going to church, they want to be the church. They want a faith that is relevant, that permeates all aspects of life. Isn’t this what being a Christian is all about?
The Emergent Church has its critics, however, because when you buy into the idea that absolute truth doesn’t exist–or if it does exist, it can’t be known–you run into problems. Christianity is rooted in the belief that God revealed himself to us through creation, through Jesus Christ and through His Word. God, who is himself Absolute Truth, can be known, and we can be sure of his love and of our salvation.
To learn more about the Emergent Church, you’ll want to read the work of some of its leaders, including Doug Pagitt, Leonard Sweet, Erwin McManus and Brian McLaren. You can also visit their various websites, including:
To read the critical response to the Emergent Church, I recommend:
“Truth and the New Kind of Christian,” by R. Scott Smith
“Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church,” by D.A. Carson
“The Truth War,” by John MacArthur
“Faith Undone,” by Roger Oakland