New Christians

The New Christians has a few good moments in the middle. Nevertheless, there remains an overall tone of "superiority". Yet, what does one expect from The New Christians. That is, whenever we hear or read New... we could easily insert "and improved."
Now, it may be that something is new and improved. For instance who can argue that new methods of anesthetizing are not an improvement over a belt of scotch followed by biting down on a handkerchief. Yet, I am not convinced that three blades on my razor while new is an actual improvement over the straight-razor. Not only is it more expensive and disposable but it lacks cinematic value. No battered housewife is going to find a safety razor a ready weapon against her demented, unrelenting spouse.

With respect to the Emergent community, the term New as in A New Kind of Christian seems to against the grain of the movement. That is, Tony Jones continuously asserts that the Emergent community strives to be non-judgmental but the term New implies a judgement, a judgement on the Old. In McLaren's book, the dialogue tries to soften this judgement. We are not saying we are better, just "New."
Anyway, I can't wait to see how this new Emergent "denomination" matures. As for me, if I want good liturgy, I'll head off to an Anglican compline. If I want good music, I'll put in a CD...maybe, a little Zeppelin or Mahalia Jackson. If I want to go to a church where a different person leads communion every week, I'll keep going to the Brethren rooted church I attend here in Vancouver.

If the Emergent movement wants to borrow from all the old institutions and claim they are doing something New. They might want to look at the fate of the New Coke.

Still, if you want to read a brief history of the Emergent church and get a feel for the movement and its adherents. The New Christians by Tony Jones is a good place to start and a relatively quick read. Yet, in the end, like most apologetic works, Tony Jones has written a book for Emergent people that won't be particularly persuasive to those of us who get It but don't really want It.

IP:ip