Chapter Four - Undefining Theology (pgs 73-94)
- DECONSTRUCTION - removing the meaning of words
- The EC embrace contradictions
- words are fluid
- definitions morph due to experiences, they do not hold to any meaning
- beneficial to have beliefs that are incompatible
- WHY? Because believing in both sides will evolve or synthesize into a better belief.
- truth and meaning are experienced rather than known
- KNOWLEDGE
- General Revelation: our 5 senses and rational mind
- utilization of logic to learn
- economy, industry, and scientific achievements are based upon general revelation.
- Specific Revelation: revealed only through SCRIPTURE
- spoken to the world through human mediators (prophets/Jesus Christ)
- God's plan for salvation and reconciliation only through SPECIFIC REVELATION.
- MYSTICISM (focus and emphasis)
- spirituality by experience - truth and meaning are found through experience and not specific revelation (DECONSTRUCTION)
- Problem: mystical experience(s) always lead to idolatry and damnation - not the God revealed in scripture.
- Old-Fashioned pagan mysticism repackaged
Chapter Five - Undefining the Bible and Preaching (pgs 95-114)
- EMERGENT CHURCH PERSPECTIVE
- rejection of the idea that we should utilize our minds, logic, and reason to understand the scripture
- scripture does not convey a fixed meaning determined by the biblical, Holy Spirit-inspired authors.
- The EC seek meaning and revelation through spiritual experiences pursued together, in community with others.
- BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
- God has commanded us to study, understand, and believe His words and to obey His commands
- God holds us accountable to understand the meaning of His words.
- The means by which the Christian grows in sanctification and holiness is to better understand and believe the word of God.
Chapter Six - Undefining the Means of Grace (pgs 115-134)
- EMERGENT CHURCH PERSPECTIVE
- reject boundaries and definitions - freestyle approach - every congregation designs for themselves what measures they take to approach God.
- Paganism repackaged
- pursuit of mysticism
- focus on spiritual experiences in order to come to God and grow spiritually
- Many means of grace - same types of influences that infected the Catholic Church - eventually leading to the Reformation
- Buzzword(s) = "Spiritual Disciplines" and "Lost Secrets"
- BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
- Jesus Christ, equally God, lived, died, and was raised from the dead
- His body ascended into heaven
- sinless man Jesus Christ, paid our debt of sin with His death on the cross.
- acceptance an belief results in reconciliation with God.
- Confidently approach God and offer our requests to Him through prayer.
- All was recorded in a book by real human beings
- Interpreted as literal history
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