Why We're Not Emergent.

Book Review

DeYoung, Kevin, Kluck, Ted. Why We’re Not Emergent. (By two guys who should be.)
Moody Publishers. 2008.
K.D.- Senior pastor of University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan. (30 years old.)
T.K.- Sports writer for ESPN, Sports Spectrum. Has written screen plays. (In his 30s.)

Comment. Henry.
This is the first book that I have read that actually ‘takes on’ the emergents. Kevin addresses the theological issues that concern him about emergence. Ted focuses on the issues that represent practical challenges re: Christianity and Christian life-style. I am not in a position to comment on their validity in these matters. I found the resource thought provoking. I must say I was quite taken with Ted’s humor. I can hardly wait for the responses of other writers to this ‘gauntlet’.

Both authors explain how they understand the terms emerging and emergent. “No one speaks for the movement and no one speaks for anyone else. The emergent church becomes whatever anyone who calls themselves ‘emergent’ happens to think at that moment.” (18) (See article from theooze.com on June 2, 2005.)

“In the music scene it’s really cool to search for God. It’s not very cool to find him.” Chuck (musician). This seems to express an emergent mind-set. Emergents and non-emergents have different views on mystery. Uncertainty


which motivates “intrigue and search” does not mean “the end of all certainty”. (39) This is illustrated by different approaches to the discussion of homosexuality. On this issue “indecision is not pastorally helpful to most people”. (48) It is a mistake to label doubt as a good friend but is also a mistake to call it an unpardonable sin. Recognize it for what it is and work through it.

The contrasting positions of emergents and evangelicals on the approach to scripture are presented. “The vast majority of the Bible is made up of propositions” (73) and these propositions are not given proper credence by emergents. Examples of propositions made by Christ are presented as evidence of their validity. Inerrancy is explained as “the Bible is true in all that it affirms”. (76) Emergent teaching undermines confidence in the Word of God.

Using his great sense of humor and interesting writing style Ted discusses futurism and tolerance.

“Orthodoxy as a set of immovable theological assertions is largely downplayed” (106) by emergents. Robert Sanders labels emergent views of doctrine and revelation as “the ecstatic heresy”. “Christianity cannot and does not exist without boundaries.” (118) Spencer Burke’s book, A Heretics Guide to Eternity and Peter Rollin’s book How (Not) to Talk to God, are referred to “voices in the emergent conversation” (119)

Ted shares a personal experience of visiting a very non-emergent church. For him it was a very positive experience.





Modernism (like society) is the culprit and a source of many difficulties that impact our understanding and practice of Christianity. The question is posed, “Are creedal statements (often questioned by emergents) really the product of modern spirituality?” (151) Modernism should not be blamed for all the challenges of postmodernism. Ted takes issue with Peter Rollin’s position on “dialoguing for the sake of dialogue”. (171)

The emergent view (manifesto) of the kingdom of God is found wanting in what it does not say. The gospel should not be politicized. Emergents are criticized for “jettisoning penal substitution”. (194) Emergents are accused of calling hell “imagery”. (196) Eight reasons are given to explain why we need God’s wrath.

Ted visits a number of emergent churches and takes a class from Tony Jones and then presents his own responses to what bothers him about emergence. He is not comfortable with a ‘reasonable faith’. He feels emergents lack historical perspectives. By way of contrast he pays a visit to small (congregation of nine seniors) non-emergent church. For him this is a positive experience.

Here is Kevin’s closing summary statement of his non-emergent position. “Listen to all the churches in Revelation.” (239) They represent the various kinds of churches that are part of our culture, including emergent and non-emergent churches. And in each case positives and negatives characterize these churches. The need for balance is stressed, especially a balanced view of Christ, i.e. lion and lamb. “It is God that the church needs most- God in his grace



and truth, God in his awesome and holy presence.” David Wells.