From the Forerunner Bookstore: Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church (Reviewed)
Becoming Conversant With the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and its Implications is a book by D.A. Carson specifically written to critique and evaluate the emergent church movements’ theological and sociological background in addressing a post-modern culture. The International House of Prayer of Kansas City is in agreement with Carson’s stand to expose non-biblical elements of the emergent church. Although Carson is a critic of the movement, this is a fair assessment of what the emerging church’s stance is on different issues facing this generation as it pertains to how we attempt to do church.
I found Carson’s thoughts both penetrating and insightful. This is a mature evaluation of some of the history and characteristics regarding postmodernism in general and, more specifically, of the emergent church movement’s answer to the postmodern question. D.A. Carson not only brings to light some of the negatives of the emergent church but also sees some positives in the questions being raised by the movement that can help sharpen and define the way we engage the world around us.
This is a stimulating read not only because it gives a good overview of the debate but also because it is pastoral in nature. Carson has an ability to see through the questions and rhetoric and get to the point of what’s going on and what the possible implications could be for an entire generation. In my opinion, this is not a critique born from disagreement, although Carson is clear where he stands in opposition to most of the statements of belief held in emergent circles, but it is born from a love of the truth and from a desire to pastor the many who stand on both sides of the line.
My only disinclination about this work is that, at times, it can be hard to follow. It reads academically and can be challenging to stay engaged with in that respect. After all is said and done though, it is rewarding to see the conclusions that Carson draws. With a topic as enveloped in obscurity as the mostly undefined emergent movement, I think Carson does an excellent job bringing the questions and their answers to the fore. I recommend this book as a relevant and clear work on the emerging church that can be of great assistance to anyone wanting deeper insight on the subject.
