Deep Dive into Apologetics and Evangelism by Dr. Michael Vlach & Prof. Jesse Johnson - The Sinner's Prayer and the Emerging Church
The emerging church is a broad movement defined by its unique understanding of the church's interaction with cultural shifts. Historically, the church primarily reacted to societal stages, such as going underground during the Age of Empires or promoting Roman Catholicism in the Dark Ages. However, the emerging church believes that modern technology, particularly increased communication and computer capabilities, now provides an unprecedented ability to proactively shape and direct the current stage of history, rather than merely respond to it.
This proactive stance leads to a fundamental questioning of "everything that goes on in the church" to discern what is genuinely biblical versus what is merely cultural. Traditional elements like sermons, Sunday meetings, church buildings, and even the necessity of elders are re-evaluated, with some seen as cultural products of past eras. They often critique traditional churches for becoming a "subculture" with distinct dress, music, and language, rather than actively infiltrating the broader society.
Despite this questioning, love is considered the "one sacred cow"—the single, non-negotiable element that transcends all cultural shifts. Love is viewed as the main tool the church has been given to shape and transform society. This emphasis manifests in prioritizing Mercy Ministries and striving to be deeply "in the community," demonstrating love through practical engagement. The emerging church adopts a "missional" mindset, seeing its members as "missionaries to their own culture." Their model for this is the Incarnation of Jesus, who immersed himself in human culture to present the gospel, encouraging believers to do the same to effectively communicate faith within their societal context.
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