Tony Jones on "Emerging" vs. "Emergent"

I think that while we could indeed label separation and fragmentation as very modern mistakes, it seems that we should also regard them as paradigmatically Protestant ones.

Who is really afraid of separation and fragmentation? Are we really that concerned that the number of Protestant denominations, sects, groups, or conversations might increase from seven hundred seventy-seven to seven hundred seventy-eight?

I think that “post-moderns” have a choice to make and a challenge to face over the coming years. The choice is whether to remain within the limited Protestantism that has given birth to the Emergent movement, or to move towards Catholic and Eastern Orthodox understandings and expressions of the faith. The challenge is how to articulate a new Protestantism from scratch if one chooses for the former. What should be clear is that the Protestant spirit must be totally reworked since the rise of Protestantism and the rise of modernity almost exactly coincide. What would a Protestantism look like that is not modern? Unlike Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, we can’t use any pre-modern resources to answer this question.

P.S. All polemics aside, I am serious about these questions. Emerg(ent)ing movements have played a significant role in my own development.

Ah, the irony. While dissing separation and fragmentation you engage in it yourself, as does commenter Todd Trembley.

Try Geritol, for irony-poor blood!

Labels might have begun on Pentecost when Peter and the gang were labeled, “drunks.”
Earlier, Jesus called the same gang, “friends.”

I’m starting to wonder if the ‘Emergent’ movement (please forgive me for labelling) has inadverntently found an identity in their continuous attempts to not have an identity. It appears that there is also nothing positive that has arisen from Modernity. It may do you all well to read D.A. Carson’s, “BECOMING CONVERSANT WITH THE EMERGING CHURCH”. That is if this is the one taboo that is not allowed in the ‘conversation’ as it is too close to the hackles of modernity. And if this is the case, you are that to which you profess to denounce.

I understand not wanting to fall to the power of naming, but the distinction seems important for those of us in the emerging church who do not want to be so damned organized. I think a lot of us see the organizational structure as “Emergent” and the vast web cloud of speakers, thinkers and writers who defy hierarchical classification as the “emerging church.”

For years I’ve been frustrated and discouraged by American Christianity, believing this isn’t anything like what Jesus intended. When I first began following this “movement” I was filled with hope. No more fighting – perhaps a new season of couragious grace toward each other. The more I read and the longer I remain in this “conversation” the more discouraged I become. I read Jones new book and wept as he began his book by pulling out his shotgun and blowing away everyone who didn’t fit into his model of “emergent.” The longer this conversation goes, the more devisive and destructive it becomes. At least the boomers pretended to be inclusive. This new trend doesn’t even hint at it. It’s simply the new tolerance – we tolerate everyone who thinks like we do and we’re incredibly intolerant of anyone else! At this point I could really care less what you all define yourselves as – emergent, emerging. I suppose I’ll just break rank again and refer to myself as a follower of Jesus.

Discouraged poignantly writes: “I read Jones new book and wept as he began his book by pulling out his shotgun and blowing away everyone who didn’t fit into his model of “emergent.” The longer this conversation goes, the more devisive and destructive it becomes. ... It’s simply the new tolerance – we tolerate everyone who thinks like we do and we’re incredibly intolerant of anyone else! At this point I could really care less what you all define yourselves as – emergent, emerging. I suppose I’ll just break rank again and refer to myself as a follower of Jesus.”

What an insightful observation.

Discouraged,
Your comment I thought was insightful though I tend to feel that its not entirely true. I know that sometimes I tend to be less than loving towards more traditionally thinking Christians, but this is something I think we need to work on. Maybe instead of “breaking rank” you should bring your worries out in a more loving way. It seems to me that the way you are doing this is just perpetuating the very thing you are speaking against.
However, as emergent minded thinkers we would do well to keep your insights in mind. Thanks for that.
breNt