The Church in Emerging Culture: Five PerspectivesWhat should the church look like today?What should be the focus of its message?How should I present that message?We live in as pivotal and defining an age as the Great Depression or the Sixties–a period whose definition, say some cultural observers, includes a warning of the church’s influence. The result? A society measurably less religious but decidedly more spiritual. Less influenced by authority than by experience. More attuned to images than to words.How does the church adapt to such a culture? Or should it, in fact, eschew adapting for maintaining a course it has followed these last two millennia? Or something in between?These are exactly the questions asked in The Church In Emerging Culture by five Christian thinker-speaker-writers, each who advocate unique stances regarding what the church’s message should be (and what methods should be used to present it) as it journeys through this evolving, postmodern era. The authors are:Andy Crouch–Re:Generation Quarterly editor-in-chiefMichael Horton–professor and reformed theologianFrederica Mathewes-Green–author, commentator, and Orthodox ChristianBrian D. McLaren–postmodernist, author, pastor, and Emergent senior fellowErwin Raphael McManus–author and pastor of the innovative and interethnic L.A.-based church, MosaicMost unique about their individual positions is that they’re presented not as singular essays but as lively discussions in which the other four authors freely (and frequently) comment, critique, and concur. That element, coupled with a unique photographic design that reinforces the depth of their at-once congenial and feisty conversation, gives you all-access entrée into this groundbreaking discourse.What’s more, general editor Leonard Sweet (author of SoulTsunami and AquaChurch, among several other acclaimed texts) frames the thought-provoking dialogue with a profoundly insightful, erudite introductory essay–practically a book within a book. The Church In Emerging Culture is foundational reading for leaders and serious students of all denominations and church styles. |
Contents
| 13 | |
SWEET Introduction to the Contributors | 51 |
Life After Postmodernity | 63 |
HORTON 2Better Homes Gardens | 105 |
MATHEWESGREEN 4Under the Heaventree | 143 |
The Method the Message and the Ongoing Story | 191 |
The Global Intersection | 235 |
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Common terms and phrases
Acts agree America Andy answer asked authority baptism become begin believe better body Brian bring century challenge Christ Christian church clearing comes continue conversation course created critical culture death early emerging Erwin ERWIN RAPHAEL McMANUS evangelical example exist experience expression fact faith Father follow FREDERICA MATHEWES-GREEN Garden give God’s gospel grow hear heart Holy hope human important individual Jesus Jesus Christ John kind language least less live look Lord Mall McLAREN Meadow mean methods MICHAEL HORTON mission modern nature never offer Park past Paul perhaps person possible postmodern practice present problem promise question Reformed Roman sacraments Scripture seems sense simply speak Spirit story talking theology things tradition transforming true truth turn understand worship writing