Caught up in groovy/retro-Christianity?

Last month I wrote an article for Relevant Magazine (again, mentioned below) on the emerging church and the Emergent entity, and the direction of all this conversation and movement.

My intent was to challenge adherents and opponents to think creatively, critically, AND generously, at this monster thing we tend to call “postmodern” but is probably more realistically the continuing extension, adaptation and evolution of the Church – historical, present and future.

The article itself ended up being slightly neutered, as pieces of my interviews were leaked as soundbytes to Tony Jones and others within Emergent… and that’s ok I guess. I don’t want to hurt any feelings or cause any strife. I consider myself a part of Emergent, even if indirectly. So the article was parsed down.

Nonetheless, over coffee several days ago, “Father Jim” (the Anglican Priest from Portland Fellowship I wrote about months ago) mentioned his concerns about the emerging church.

If I’m reading him right, (Jim, correct me if I’m off base!) he seems to feel that much of the emerging church is merely dabbling in surface-level engagement with liturgy, history and orthodoxy. They have a sort of superficial infatuation with the ambiance of orthodox liturgy. I’d say perhaps we’re “caught up in the grooviness of retro Christianity.”

His example was the Christ of Sinai icon (seen right). At an Eastern Orthodox Church (along with many traditional, liturgical churches – but especially the Orthodox Church) icons are sacred – not merely “mood” or “atmosphere” pieces, they are meant to be gateways to the very throne room of the Most High.

But in many so-called emerging churches (Imago Dei was mentioned) sacred icons like Christ of Sinai are merely – as I said before – mood pieces.

In approaching this topic of conversation, and affirming Father Jim’s observations (I think “critique” would be too strong a word for the tone of our talk) I want to be clear: I am an emerging Christian. I am even an Emergent Christian. Yes – capital ‘E’ Emergent. But there are parts of Emergent that are still somewhat immature (and I am no exception!). Much of what we Emergents do is often either characterized by what we are not, (the whole “post” identity: post-colonial, postmodern, post-evangelical, post-enlightenment…) or by what is hip and cool to our Gen-X sensibilities.

Let us slow down and think deeply as we move forward.

read more about my thoughts on Christianity in the real world at www.essenceproject.blogspot.com…