Emerging or Submerging? This is the conclusion of a 5-part series exposing the Emergent Movement’s false doctrines.

B Y P A S T O R B rian B rodersen

In the past five issues, we have looked at Rob Bell, in his book Velvet Elvis, and other I believe time will tell that this new move- some of the beliefs of the Emergent move- Emergent leaders call for a reinvention of ment will turn out to be nothing more ment. We learned its leaders, while not Christianity because, they claim, the tra- than a passing fancy of a few disenchanted denying completely certain foundational ditional view has failed to bring about the men. The doctrines of men will come and truths of Christianity, do not hold fast to Gospel’s intended results. This quote from go, but God’s Word will stand. As Jesus the biblical teachings regarding the Trinity, McLaren’s book, Everything Must Change, said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, the Virgin Birth, salvation in Christ alone, says it all: “More and more Christian lead- but My words will by no means pass away” and the inerrancy of the Word of God. ers are beginning to realize that, for the (Matthew 24:35). Instead, Emergents say that Christianity millions of young adults who have must be redefined. In other words, they recently dropped out of church, reject Christianity as it is defined in the Christianity is a failed religion. Why? Bible and seek to create their own, false Because it has specialized in dealing I believe time will tell version. To conclude this series, I want to with ‘spiritual needs’ to the exclusion make a few final points and observations. of physical and social needs. It has that this new movement focused on ‘me’ and ‘my eternal des- Though they claim to be Christians with a tiny,’ but it has failed to address the will turn out to be nothing fresh enlightenment, Emergents are noth- dominant societal and global reali- ing less than liberals masquerading as ties of their lifetime: systemic injus- more than a passing fancy Evangelicals, espousing and promoting tice, poverty, and dysfunction.”2 Not ideas that were refuted on the scholarly and only does he oversimplify the Gospel, of a few disenchanted men. academic level decades ago. A close look at but he forgets that many Christians their doctrine reveals that they reject the do serve the poor, the prisoners, and The doctrines of men Bible’s authority and the doctrine of sal- the hurting in the name of Christ. vation through Christ. This movement is will come and go, not a new theological understanding, but Moreover, we know that Jesus rather a new manifestation of old heresies said, “But seek first the kingdom of but God’s Word will stand. that must be resisted and opposed. We God and His righteousness, and all need to be aware of these aberrant views so these things shall be added to you.” we can avoid being sucked into embracing Seeking God comes first; the rest of our I believe that these heady philosophical a false view of the Christian faith and end needs will follow. The Emergents say that ideas will sink like a lead balloon. People up shipwrecked. Christians need to “address the dominant are looking for something that quenches societal and global realities … systemic the thirst in their souls, that lifts the If there was ever any doubt as to where injustice, poverty, and dysfunction.” What burden of guilt from their shoulders, that this Emergent theology is leading, Brian they fail to recognize is that when a poor gives them hope that there really is a better McLaren’s book, A New Kind of Christian, person gets saved, they become a child of world to come, something no man could makes it clear. In the introduction he God and God starts taking care of them. dream up. That something is the Gospel of writes, “I realize, as I read and reread the When a person who’s afflicted gets saved, Christ: God became a Man, took our guilt Bible, that many passages don’t fit any of God gives them a comfort that no human upon Himself, died in our place, and rose the theological systems I have inherited or being ever could. When people on drugs again, conquering our greatest enemy— adapted. … Doesn’t the religious commu- meet Christ, they are delivered. Jesus does death. He then ascended to heaven and is nity see that the world is changing? Doesn’t all of this for people; that’s why our chief at the right hand of the Father, who sent it have anything fresh and incisive to say? aim is to lead others to Christ. the Holy Spirit to fill us with His power … the old show is over, the modern jig is up, that we might serve Him until He comes and it’s time for something radically new.”1 This is why we need to hold fast to the again in glory to establish His eternal In other words, the historic Christian “faith which was once for all delivered to kingdom. And there we shall reign with faith, as revealed in the pages of the New the saints” (Jude 1:3b) and keep boldly Him forever and ever, amen! Testament and understood by the saints proclaiming the Gospel, “for it is the from the first century onward, is to be rein- power of God to salvation for everyone 1. A New Kind of Christian, Brian D. McLaren, terpreted to fit with the politically correct who believes” (Romans 1:16b) and the only (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2008). worldview of the 21st century. hope for this world. 2. Everything Must Change, Brian D. McLaren, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007).

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