I read an article a few weeks back that has got me thinking. In the article the author points out several difference streams of the emerging church. After reading these I opened up the question a little more and asked, “ How do churches address the issues of cultural change?” The first answer to this question is easy: they deny or ignore it. From there I think it is safe to make a few classifications.
Theological Changes: “Remove that which may offend.”
· The experience caused by interacting with Scripture is to be valued above the veracity of the text.
· Difficult or uncomfortable doctrines are spiritualized, allegorized or ignored.
o The atonement- it is cruel of God to punish Jesus for something he did not do.
o Hell is not literal, but metaphorical.
o Truth is relative to one’s interpretive community. (“The incredulity of the meta-narrative.”)
o Homosexuality- the Bible is just out dated.
· Jesus is viewed as important, even central, but one can still be a “Christian” without submitting to Jesus.
· Society determines the way people should think about current issues, instead of the Bible informing society about current issues.
· An apologetic of action is better then an apologetic arguments.
· The burden of proof is on Christian theology to answer life’s question.
o Where did I come from? Macro-evolution
o Who am I? A computer made out of meat.
o Why am I here? Nihilism
o What happens after I die? Nothing
· Science is master, theology is servant.
“It is better to be kind, than right.”
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