Emergent Worrying

I was thinking a lot this weekend about something I have heard various and sundry friends say recently against the “emergent church.”

Now, I know a little about the emergent church, and from what I’ve seen, there is quite a range of beliefs going on there. From not believing the inerrancy of the Bible, to not being sure if there are miracles anymore – or if there ever were – to believing all of those things, but maybe wondering about evolution.  . . . It’s all over the map. Frankly, not unlike in the traditional church. What I have discerned in my readings on this over the last two years is that what they all have in common is a strong desire to follow Christ.

What is wrong with that? Nothing, from my viewpoint. All these Chicken Littles running around worrying about people who want to follow Christ. Who are we to judge what God uses as bridges to him? What about “Let Go and Let God?” Who are we to clamp his arms closed and build walls in front of Jesus, telling people they have to be a Republican-Creationist-Pro-Life-Anti-Gay-literal-Bible-believing person to be a follower of Christ? What if they cannot get their minds around all that crap? What if all they want is to say Yes to Christ? Who are we to stand in their way by tacking on all this other (quite overwhelming) stuff?

It’s reducing Christ to politics and dogma. He’s bigger than that.

I’ve always believed (because, hey, I read the Bible), that those who will have the most to answer for in the hereafter are not the ones who were sorta clueless. The ones in the real hot seat are the ones who claim to know Christ, but are glad to throw barriers in the way of others who desire to follow him.
 
Some people are spending a lot of time whining about the “emergent church.” What it boils down to that they are objecting to people not being Stepford Christians. And, I must tell you, that though I used to adhere to a lot of the list above, I no longer do. And guess what, Jesus still likes me bigtime.

Who are these people who want to dissuade people from investigating Jesus and becoming followers? Some of them are my dear friends. But, they are coming off as naysayers who want everything their way.  The last time I looked (about an hour ago), the requirement to enter heaven is just saying “yes” to Jesus. (See the thief on the cross.)

And does it end there? A ticket to heaven? What about how we treat others here. Christ made it clear that that matters. And not just a little bit.

If you really truly believe in a big God, and in one who is active in our daily lives, or one who has the power of the miracles in his right hand, how can you object to people wanting to follow Christ?

I don’t get it. This desire to divide those who want to follow Christ.

And, you know what?  I hope I never do.