Emergent Christianity's Voice Is More Than Emergent Village's Assertions

Emergent Christianity is Not Progressive Christianity

As introduction, I should point out that I do not automatically associate "Emergent Christianity" in the same category as that of "Process Theology" - as is being billed by Emergent Village (a progressive Christian group more than it is an Emergent group) in its upcoming 2012 conference.

Just as Classic Theism and Open Theism are part of the Emergent movement's discussion, so too may Process Theology be part of that discussion. But unlike Emergent Village's bold statement, process theology is not the sum-total of Emergent Christianity, but part of a larger conversation between itself and Theism. Regardless of its Christian claimants.

What I am saying here is that Emergent Christians are investing themselves in all forms of discussions about God - who He is in His nature and essence - and in His relation to creation and time via His authoritative divine will and ourselves. Hence, it is for this reason that this blog has been created to speak more clearly about what Emergent Christianity is, both in it's diversity, as well as in its central core of beliefs. It is my intent (as well as others similar in intent as mine own) to add to that discussion, and lend it directional support. To uncover, renew or remake older expressions of the orthodox Christian faith into updated, postmodernistic forms of expression.

Accordingly, we must acknowledge that Emergent Christianity has a larger audience than that of Evangelicalism - for it includes progressive Christians and mainline denominationalists as well; has a broader orthodoxy and orthopraxy consequently; and more of a postmodern mindset. But, it cannot be simply defined by Tony Jones and Emergent Village's belief statements any longer -  though neither should it be lessened by those same sentiments. Emergent Christianity must be as mainline as it is radical. And it behooves Emergents to understand and know who they are, what they are, and why they are, from the right to the left of its participating groups.

Consequently, we should not be content in simply stating that Progressive Christianity (or Big Tent Christianity) is the completing definition of Emergent Christianity. It is not. If anything, Progressives are further left of Evangelicalism than Emergents are. And there are large distinctions too (more on this in later posts).

However, like Emergent Christianity with its mix of conservative denominations and post-conservative evangelicals, Progressive Christians are seeking to expand their assemblies and associations both right and left of their movement... not unlike what Emergent Christianity has been doing since its break out about ten years ago (1998? 2004?). And both groups are each seeking to discover a more progressive form (or, updated form) of Christianity over and beyond traditional orthodoxy and classic Calvinistic associations and assemblies.

For me, Emergent Christianity is simply understood as any-and-all participants who can define themselves around Jesus as Redeeming God and Savior. Assuredly syncretism will occur (more probably for the right side than the left side of the religious line of pluralism)  but hopefully at the cost of apprehending Jesus more clearly than we have at present through our delimiting religious cultural expressions found currently in its classic or traditional expressions. Expressions that we leave with thankfulness and appreciation for its many years of declaring Christ to the world. But one that must be left in today's marketplace of postmodernism.

The central focus of Emergent Christianity must then be an understanding of Jesus (i) unhindered by past Reformational decrees and Calvinisms - including worship practices, demeanor and missional statements. As well as (ii) deliverance from Liberalism's unbelieving assertions of Jesus' non-divine personage, mission and ministry, and denial of the Bible's divine revelation. (And by Liberalism is not meant Progressive Christianity - which has formed the rear-guard of discerning mainstream Christianity from Liberalism's Continental incursions into America.) And finally, (iii) Emergent Christianity includes all those frustrated Christians unwilling to submit to either branches of Christianity because it is the popular thing to do. Or the politically correct thing to do. Who find themselves as moderates and independents seeking better expressions of Jesus to the world than is currently being offered from either the right or the left. Culturally, politically, societally, religiously.

Emergent Christianity is a spectrum unto itself. A third man as it were. Neither Catholic nor Protestant. It is stateless and wishes to remain so while offering a broader outreach to the world's religions and mankind than can currently be done within present institutional systems and parochial beliefs. This then would be the true spectrum of Christianity: one without boundaries and barriers, stateless and universal, color-blind, gender-neutral, disavowing all human limitations to its mission and charter (http://relevancy22.blogspot.com/2011/09/four-views-of-evangelicalism-emergent.html).

And with that said, and in an effort to (i) better our understanding of Process (Relational) Theology; and to (ii) explore and create some kind of theosophical alternative within the folds of Classic Theism that doesn't require a panentheistic base, but a theistic base; (iii) Emergent Village is hosting a 3 day event at Claremont School of Theology, Jan 30- Feb 2, 2012. Below may be found Emergent Village's itinerary, guest speakers, and registration links. Thank you.

RE Slater

November 13, 2011

Join Us For the Theological Conversation

http://www.processtheology.org/sample-page/

    

The Emergent Village Theological Conversation has quickly established a reputation for deep thought and rich interaction. This year’s conversation will engage Process Theology as we explore the dynamic conception of the living and life-giving God. Monica A. Coleman, John Cobb and Philip Clayton will lead the conversation engaging with Jeanyne Slettom, Bruce Epperly, Julie Clawson and Daniel Shroyer

Cobb has proclaimed that the church should “join God in working for the salvation of the world.” This strong assertion flows right out of the open and relational vision of theology he has pioneered throughout his career. It is our belief that in conversation with Cobb a progressive, missional, holistic, and radically relational theology with legs will emerge.

After setting the context with an introduction to process theology we will immediately turn towards the biggest challenges facing the world, making those essential conversations for all creation the location for doing theology. Through practical engagements of Process and Emergence we will reflect on how God relates to the world, works within the world, and do what all theology is suppose to be doing: seeking to engage and transform the world as it exists in reality. This will take us into ecology, economics, religious pluralism, secularism, and the relational ramifications for the Church both locally and globally.

Come join us in Claremont California, January 30- February 2, 2012 for the conversation.

Partners: This event is sponsored by the Emergent Village & hosted at Claremont School of Theology in partnership with Process & Faith

Hotel: Our event hotel is the Hotel Claremont. They are giving our participants a special deal with rooms for 59 – 69 bucks a night for bed, breakfast, and a shuttle to the campus. Just let Steven Mercado know you are part of the ‘emergent village’ when reserving your room. Email him: reservations@myhotelclaremont.com

Sign up: Registration is limited in order to create the conditions for conversation. For now it is just $99 bucks until the New Year when it will go up to $119 or when we cap it off. So sign up now.

5 Sessions

 http://www.processtheology.org/5-sessions/

The Emergent Village Theological Conversation 2012 will carry forward some of the best aspects of previous conversations. It will also feature some innovations that appropriately reflect the topic of this year’s gathering.

Here are some highlights of what you can expect:

• Process Theology emphasizes an open-ended and relational view of faith. The 5 sessions will integrate a format that is thoroughly relational and open-ended.

It is important that the information being presented match the organization

• Process Theology introduces new concepts and vocabulary. Each of the 5 sessions will begin with a ‘keynote’ presentation from a scholar, who will then be in dialogue with two other practitioners and thinkers. The conversation will then be expanded to the gathered participants – with each session utilizing an appropriate format for the themes of that session.

Use of technology like the Twitter-Tumbler and an empowered moderator will facilitate real-time interactions with the presenter during the session.

• The structure of the five session are organized in a chiastic format. Monica A. Coleman will lead us in session 1 and 5. John B. Cobb will host session 2 and 4. Philip Clayton has agreed to provide the ‘hinge’ session 3.

Session 1 is Introduction with Monica Coleman
Session 2 is Expansion with John Cobb (Christian Belief and Pluralism)
Session 3 is Dissection and Doubt with Philip Clayton
Session 4 is Application with John Cobb (Economics and Ecology)
Session 5 is Construction for Ministry with Monica Coleman

• Julie Clawson, veteran of Emergent Conversations, pointed out that most conferences don’t build in a time to question, disagree, and push-back. Great ideas are presented and insightful questions are asked … but the real wrestling is done either individually or after hours.

We still want personal wrestling and after-hours conversation, but we have also purposefully built in a session for wrestling out loud. Session 3 will let us debrief with Philip Clayton who navigates the worlds of Emergent and Process, Church and Academy in a masterful way.

• Each session will be followed up with related break-out tracks. One will focus on ministry specific issues.Jeanyne Slettom, director of the Center for Process & Faith and co-Pastor of a process-centered congregation will be helping us with this. Another track will be theological-conceptual. The third will be a wild-card showcase.

Five times we will come together for the main sessions to hear a presentation, listen to a dialogue, participate in a conversation, and then disperse for break-out sessions. These four expanding levels of engagement will allow for both learning and expression in each of the five chapters.

Here is a potential picture of Session 5: Monica Coleman will present ideas and stories about her ministerial experiences and context specific opportunities and challenges for ministry with a Process framework. Then Danielle Shroyer and Bruce Epperly will join her to tell a bit about their context and their engagement of Process in ministry. Next, we will break down into smaller circles to compare notes in order come into the Question & Response time. This main-session conversation will propel us into the the breakout sessions. One breakout will have two pastors talking about preaching Process. One will be about comparing theological vocab & concepts between different schools of thought. Another will address sexuality in the church & community.

For John Cobb’s session 4 on Ecology and Economy, a conversation partner like Julie Clawson (author of Everyday Justice) and another thinker would be followed by breakout sessions that correlate.

This is going to be a wonderful time – come to the registration page and sign-up now.