Jesus Cropped from the Picture

More Identity, Less Method

Other Cropping Dangers Emergings are at risk to crop Jesus from the picture in two other ways. First, their Kingdom theology is primarily missional and rarely mentions the presence and engagement of evil. The powers of evil are often cropped out of their picture. Their distaste for nationalism and the Traditionals’ alignment with conservative politics make the notion of “spiritual warfare” an unpleasant topic. But, like King Theoden in Lord of the Rings, this war has been thrust upon Emergings, whether they find it unpleasant or not. Second, like the Traditionals’ suspicion of pre-Reformation thought, Emergings are suspicious of the institutionalized church, which is also known as Christendom (see Appendix 5, “ATimeline of Other Historical Developments”). Their critique of recent Traditional or Pragmatic expressions is admirable, but Emergings must be careful not to crop the Holy Spirit out of the picture , who has been at work even in Christendom. Finally, the Emergings’ desire to embody Christ’s teachings is an improvement from the privatized ethics of the other methods. However, if their “list” simply replaces the Pragmatic’s “list,” Jesus will end up being cropped out of the picture once again. It is not helpful to replace a cross-only theology with a teaching-only one. A multi-dimensional view of Christus Victor is the best way to prevent the cropping effect . There is no reason to pit Jesus’ teachings against his substitutionary work on the cross . Both should be celebrated.

Freedom in Christ Emergings who cannot moor themselves to the Great Tradition may stumble along the way. Like the Traditionals and Pragmatics, Emergings

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