This morning someone emailed me to let me know that a chapter I wrote in the "Listening To Beliefs of Emerging Churches" book was the topic on a well known blog in a certain circle. The blog sort of pulled some quotes out and stated here's what Kimball is thinking and believing and it honestly was both amusing and sad to read because of some of the extremist type of conclusions that were stated throughout it.
In the chapter I wrote my beliefs as being aligned with what was in the Nicene Creed (the Trinity, virgin birth, heaven/hell, resurrection, the return of Jesus) as well as some additional core historical doctrines of the faith such the inspiration and authority of Scripture, salvation through Jesus alone and the substitutionary atonement. I stated in the chapter that these are beliefs I have and can say with confidence "this is what I believe" - but I also said that there are other doctrines that are more of a mystery and that there are Spirit-filled scholars and theologians who come to different conclusions - such as exactly how Jesus will return (amillennial, premillennial etc.), infant or adult baptism, the role of women in the church etc.
But for this particular blogger and some of the commenter's, stating that I believe in what is included in the Nicene Creed and these other core doctrines (the ones I listed above and wrote about in the chapter) didn't seem orthodox enough - and the usual hyper-stereotypes of anything "emerging" or "emergent" started being discussed and conclusions about what I believe (even though in the chapter itself I wrote them out).
So, I thought I would open it up here for those who read the book or are coming from the other blog to this one. If there are any specific question that may not be clear or wondering about about the practice of our church (do we preach or use the Bible etc.) or any theological clarifications of what I wrote in that chapter (the blogger didn't quote the other doctrines I wrote about that I believe in addition to the Nicene Creed).
Because of time, I can't be responding to every single comment (unless there are only a few), but I can go on and write some general responses to common questions or perceptions that may be raised in the comments section of this post as they come in.
I don't speak for everyone in "the emerging church" (whatever that now means), as that is a very wide diversity of beliefs, as the book was showing. I can only speak for myself. So the questions would need to be specific to me, not others.
I am someone who believes theology discussion between brothers and sisters in Jesus, should be a fun and challenging time to sharpen and stretch each other. As we hold to core theological beliefs such as the atonement, inspiration of Scripture, salvation through Jesus alone, the Trinity etc. - shouldn't we then not be afraid to lovingly discuss other differences?
What makes me most sad about blog postings like this and the one that pretty much slammed me, is that we are in a culture that is becoming increasingly post-Christian - and it seems we should be spending more time with fellow brothers and sisters of the faith linking arms, minds, hearts and prayers together in sharing and living the gospel out to the world around us. Coming fresh from interviewing several people outside the church, a major observation they had was that we come across as a negative, judgmental group of people. From reading some of our blogs and what we even say about other brothers and sisters in Jesus who even hold the same core essentials of the faith, I don't blame them in how they perceive us sometimes. Please forgive us Lord. I really mean that. May the words of our mouths (and blogs) and meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight O, Lord.
One of my favorite passages Acts 17:11 where the Berean's were seen as noble, because they didn't just blindly accept teaching, they discussed and checked out to see what was true or not to the best of their ability. So God honors that we discuss and debate things and check out things and I hope we aren't afraid to explore or re-explore doctrine as we grow and develop as followers of Jesus, our whole lives.
OK, I am off to keep preparing the sermon for Sunday now and if there is any questions feel free to post.
