Tag Archives: Emergent Village

Now on Emergent Village: “The Annunciation – A Divinely Human Moment”

I explore the artistic and spiritual elements of The Annunciation by Simone Martini for a first Sunday in Advent reflection on Emergent Village. I see this moment one of many divinely human encounters in the Biblical narrative. Please read and comment there.

Now on Emergent Village: “My Reply to Kurt Willems”

Upon reading an excerpt on Kurt Willems blog, I felt compelled to share some impressions in reply to the crucial question, “Is the Church still emerging?” Read my reply now on Emergent Village. I argue that emergence underlies much of the basic assumptions about postmodern ministry, alternative worship, gender inclusion, social justice, the Biblical inerrancy debate, creation vs. evolution debate…

Now on Patheos: “Review of Brian McLaren’s Upcoming Book”

My review of Brian McLaren’s newest book Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Muhammad Cross the Road? is now on Emergent Village.  This one is going to be another installment of much needed upheaval in the Christian world about how to relate to the other world religious traditions. Brian contends a strong, benevolent identity is a better path to navigate these essential relationships with everyone who inhabits this beautiful planet.  I challenge anyone who reads to check out Brian’s blog and consider his approach.  It is hard to dispute the fact Jesus embodies a strength and benevolence that approaches the other uncompromisingly and lovingly.

This is Jericho Books first full length publication.  I’m excited for all that they are doing to cultivate a new approach to Christian publishing which is unafraid to ask the hard questions and face the reality of a flawed Christian existence.

Now on Patheos: “A Humble Emergent Reply to Ben Witherington III”

I posted a reply to the great scholar Ben Witherington III after reading a Patheos blog post he wrote about the anti-ecclesial rhetoric of emerging communities. He rightly stated that emergents need to remember their roots and to see that many before have made similar arguments. I wanted to reassure him he’s spot on and we get it already. Emergents are among the most ecumenical and historically rooted communities despite being recently formed. Furthermore, we know, as Dr. Witherington challenges, that people make up the Church. It’s not an institution; it’s an assembly. A major goal of emergence is to restore the dignity and diversity within the collective. I hope and pray that we all appreciate the human aspects of ekklesia that makes life in Christ so transformational. But Dr. Witherington has to see that the institutional issues which provoke the emergent conversation must be dealt with in order for the assembly to be a healthy, vibrant expression in the 21st century.

Now on Emergent Village: “On Cultural Necrophilia: A Christian Response”

Just posted on Emergent Village Voice “On Cultural Necrophilia: A Christian Response“

In this piece, I consider a Christian response to the overwhelming love of death seen in the global obsession with vampires, zombies and killing. Rather than ban, boycott or restrict there is a much simpler solution. Erich Fromm is a personal inspiration for his suggestion.

Now on Emergent Village Voice: “An Economic Pitfall”

I’ve just written a piece on Emergent Village Voice about Erich Fromm’s prophetic message in To Have or To Be. I have been rather silent for many reasons. After meditating upon Fromm’s work, I’ve made some personal decisions. It’s probably evident I am pulling away from marketing myself through social networks. Mostly, I am not successful at it, but philosophically it is a pitfall that Christendom has sunk into. I don’t want to be a commodity. I write for cathartic reasons, but I hate the machine that is the Christian blogosphere. Christian writers have lost human dignity through their platforms. I don’t have much to lose, but I am making a personal stand. I’ve decided to reclaim my dignity.