Jesus Cropped from the Picture

The Emerging Method

Politics Emergings are uncomfortable with the perceived connection between the Traditional Method and conservative politics, seeing parallels with Constantine’s Christendom and recent American civic religion. As a result they tend to be less conservative in their politics than Traditionals. Focus of Energy The Emerging Method seeks to contextualize Christianity within Postmodern culture. In an effort to live out their missional under- standing of the gospel, Emergings are eager to “welcome the stranger, serve with generosity, participate as producers, create as created beings, lead as a body, and take part in spiritual activities.” 106 They emphasize service to the poor as a way of life (not just as a program) and use their vocations as a means of fleshing out the gospel, emphasizing the church dispersed 107 more than the church gathered (see Chapter 8). Finally, Emergings seek to make theology less divisive by encouraging open dialogue and resisting a “thick line” that separates insiders from outsiders. Because Emergings are experimenting with Postmodern ways to live the life of Jesus in community, their slogan could be: “Is it authentic and relevant?”

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