The Theology of an Emergent Church

So according to Pagitt and McLaren we are part of the re-creators which is God’s dream for the world. This is a ‘Kingdom Now Theology’ dressed up in post-modern terminology and dialect. It is all about building up in human effort a Kingdom that resembles a utopian, peaceful global village. It may well be the very last kingdom that exists before the stone made out of no hands comes and destroys it!!!

Just yesterday I was led to read Revelation 20 & 21, parts of Ezekiel which deal with end times and Daniel 7 & 8. I have always wondered about this fourth beast referred to in Daniel and then it hit me — the fourth beast is this whole New Age/Kingdom Now/Latter Rain/MSOG movement!

Christianity is not changing; but, there are those who are destroying it from within the church (wolves in sheeps clothing). And, sadly, so many within the church are asleep and allowing it to happen. Many in our pews are biblically illiterate to their own demise. Read your Bibles!

Kim,

Yes, no doubt the world and many of those within our churches are near ready or ready for the Antichrist.

My research on the new age movement began over 20 years ago WAY before I became a Christian (in 2000); but, it was this background which put up the red flags when a woman I befriended at a singles group attempted to draw me in back in April of this year. It all started with a cd by Misty Edwards she gave me (after a “vision” she had about me) which I researched online which in turn led me to IHOP and then Latter Rain/MSOG, etc. then to the blog at SOJ which provided more info, links and posts from those who were previously caught up or knew those caught up “charismania.” I saw the new age parallels soon after. All these teachings (those I’ve cited above plus Emergent, Dominionism, etc.) are loosely connected so that outsiders can’t readily see the connections — much like the new age movement itself.

Like you, my heart grieves for those caught up in this. I presume, most are totally unaware of the dangers although my feeling is that those at or close to the top know what they’re doing. The Holy Spirit has put it on my heart to expose this heresy the best I can by warning individuals and confronting teaching directly when I can. I’m currently critiquing the Alpha Course at one of the two churches I attend. With its dubious beginnings at Holy Trinity Brompton UK and initial endorsements by C. Peter Wagner, Rodney Howard-Browne (“Holy Ghost Bartender”) and other “notables,” I see reason for concern. The course has one entire 45 minute session on tongues speaking to the near exclusion of the other Spiritual gifts even taking scripture out of context to promote this gift. Basically the course teaches a little Jesus, a little God and a BIG Holy Spirit.

I know I’ve gone off topic a bit; but, I think this all ties in. This past Monday at the most recent Alpha session, the facilitator, a sharp young guy probably in his late twenties, asked me what I thought of the “Holy Spirit weekend” that the course outlines which was two weekends ago (he could not go, although he’s been to quite a few having facilitated about 8 courses previously). I asked him, “Are you sure you want to know?” I assumed he knew that I was the guy who questioned the course (I talked to the man who oversees the whole course at this church with a membership in the thousands) before this particular class started and decided to see for myself.

As I shared my concerns, to my surprise he agreed with me and we ended up talking for an additional 30 minutes! He knew others personally who went to Pensacola to witness the “move of God” there (I always thought God was omnipresent and we didn’t need to go to a certain geographic area to find him). He was mainly unaware of all the associated movements; but, was definitely interested in further study and conversation.

When I set out to do this I actually felt my findings would fall on deaf ears; but, I knew the Holy Spirit prodded me to do this. Now it seems I have an ally on the “inside” so to speak! I write this to encourage others to confront these false teachings — always with tact and respect while standing firm in your beliefs and the Word. We just may be able to effect change! Souls are at stake here!

Keep in mind that there is a difference between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence. In the upper room in Acts 2 God was moving quite differently than he was across the street or in another place.

We will certainly see various geographic regions experience God in more measure than other regions. Just as one could go to Haiti and tangibly feel the darkness of voodoo, on the flip side we can attend a revival meeting, for example, and get saved or healed or delivered.

We should always pray for our cities that the activity of the Holy Spirit would increase. It will be evidenced in a variety of ways. Where God is more active, things simply happen.

There are many stories in scripture where God moved very distinctly in a geographic region. The example of the upper room is a simple to understand story of God showing up in a unique way in a specific place.

It can be as simple as saying, “Wow, the presence of God is very strong in the room”. Have you ever walked into a church or a place and felt the power of God suddenly- and then witnessed others experiencing the same?

It will be much easier for people to get saved in places where God is moving more freely. Don’t forget the invisible realm where the devil is working hard to wreck havoc. Demons are certainly limited to geographic regions and are strategically organized in these places.

Be very careful with any unveiling of personally judged ‘false ministries’. Many diverse Christian ministries exist on the Earth. We should certainly warn against non-Christian religions… but, if others agree with us on the absolutes of Scripture we must endeavor to be unified. Most Charismatic ministries that are out there would certainly agree with you on the absolutes of Scripture. If so, we are all brothers and sisters. Other lower level issues such as interpretation, deductions, personal preferences, cultures, etc. shouldn’t ever be a cause for separation.

Kim,

I do not have a “home” church at this point; so, I’m going back and forth between two. On one I attend a singles group and sometimes attend Sunday services. On the other one, I attend a men’s group and sometimes attend its Sunday service. So, I’m pretty split between the two. The Alpha course is offered only at the larger church which is more “seeker friendly.”

John,

Sorry but I believe that the scripture Daniel 10 is a classic example.that is used to base that there are “territorial spirits” is taken out of context to make a point. There is nothing scriptural about that in my opinion and Jesus NEVER bound a demon in a territorial sense and the Apostles never taught us to do this either. I find this article (attached link) to be much more closer to the truth and interpretation of the scriptures regarding ths concept that you speak of.

http://www.spiritualwarfaredeliverance.com/books/02-christian-spiritual-warfare-book/html/myth6-spiritual-warfare-pt3.html

IWant

Here’s the point- There must be extreme humility. If you believe someone is in error, you have a right to that belief. It’s simply possible that he or she may be interpreting scripture differently than you. You aren’t the end all of Bible interpretation. It can be very easy to fall into arrogance. What if the person whom you are exposing is actually right? Would you receive a rebuke from that person in return?

You didn’t deal with the issue of the absolutes of scripture. If we agree on the absolutes than we are called to unity, not disunity. If you adhere to certain deductions of scripture, that’s wonderful… but, you must admit that they are only deductions… others may have different opinions on the matter. Whether speaking in tongues is for today or not isn’t important enough for us to allow it to cause division or to stir up strife.

If you are in close relationship with somebody, then by all means talk about areas of concern. If you are not, then what authority do you presume to have? What is the purpose of exposing people? If they are Christians, then what is the issue?

So many are excited about finding the slightest error (or supposed error) in a brother’s life so they can ‘be right’ and prove them ‘wrong’… and shout it from the rooftops in the guise of ‘protecting others’ from them. It’s arrogant and unloving and hurtful.

Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV)
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

I have disagreements with cessationists and those who aren’t in the Charismatic flow… but, they are simply disagreements. I do my best to honor my brothers and sisters who have different perspectives than I do. Again, they are Christians.

For a question to be asked, “do you think so and so is a false teacher”, is horrible. Very offensive. It’s stirring up strife. It’s certainly hurtful to that person who is being talked about behind his back.

Take note of the curse associate with exposing others:

Genesis 9:20-27 (NKJV)
20 And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. 21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. 25 Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” 26 And he said: “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.”

Lastly, regarding territorial spirits… simply consider the issue of deliverance. When we cast out a demon, we’re removing him from one place and casting him into another.

Have a great vacation!

I think bringing attention to clear error is ok, when done in love and through the appropriate channels. It’s important to have a relationship with that person in order to have the appropriate permissions to speak in to their lives.

But, to expose ‘supposed error’ is different. We just have to agree to disagree. We might actually be the one who is wrong.

What doesn’t sit well with me often times when I hear about ‘Bereans’ is that people use that scripture to validate their critical and judgmental hearts. If we read the passage correctly we see that the Bereans were of good character and were actually excited about the new revelation. Many today are so skeptical and not open to the Spirit of wisdom and revelation and fresh enlightenment.

Acts 17:11 (NIV)
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Oh, also… I know I hit this point already, but I think it’s worth restating. Paul had apostolic authority… he had permission and authorization from God to bring correction. That’s perfectly ok and biblical. However, for someone who has no authority over another to attempt to bring correction is not biblical. It actually brings division and disunity instead of unity.

God takes this very seriously… in fact, we aren’t to receive accusation against an elder unless…

1 Timothy 5:19 (NKJV)
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Note also the issue of relationship. Correction comes from within the structure of relationship. And, note that the elders didn’t bring the correction… if they had two or three witnesses (to clear sin or error), they simply provided that information to that leader’s leader. They aren’t to expose that leader publicly… it’s not their role.

Then, if that person is clearly in sin and unrepentant then other measures come into play through the action of that person’s leader.

1 Timothy 5:20 (NKJV)
Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

So, for example, if I found out that my pastor was stealing money from the church… I would not have an option to say anything… unless one or two other witnesses were discovered. Then, I wouldn’t say a word to anybody except the pastor’s overseer… I’d take the other witnesses and humbly share what we discovered. Then, I’d say no more. My job is done. I wouldn’t discuss the issue with the other witnesses any more. I’d cover my pastor. I’d pray for him intently. I’d be broken for him.

We need to trust the justice of God. We need to pray for the fear of God to consume us. As we follow scriptural procedure God will certainly deal with unrepentant leaders.

Lastly, I do think it’s fine to highlight teachings that we feel are unscriptural… We, from a humble yet bold position, can share our opinion (hopefully Holy Spirit driven opinion) and teach truth. However, I think we cross the line when we say, “So and so teaches this error and we need to expose him or her”. Let people draw their own conclusions and let that person’s own leaders deal with their issues. This is especially true when we aren’t even talking about sin issues… but differing opinions on non-absolutes of scripture.

John,

Play the clips above of the verbal exchanges between Todd Friel and Doug Pagitt. (This is in fact the point of this post.) It is REAL CLEAR that Pagitt does not believe in a literal or physical heaven and hell. He believes that the “good Muslim” — as Friel states — gets the same treatment as the Christian when each one dies. This is clearly not biblical. Pagitt is a false teacher. “Judgment” according to Pagitt is merely a “disconnection from God.”

I do not consider Pagitt an “elder” by any stretch. He may be a self professed “leader” or a “leader” by being somewhat of a public speaker and thereby by default of the emergent church movement; but, either way, he is not my elder. If he wants to go publicly stating his (mis)beliefs, then I think it appropriate to disagree with his (mis)beliefs publicly. We all have the authority of the Word of God as our “sword.” I don’t think anyone needs “apostolic authority” in order to publicly criticize public heresy.