The Emerging Church Departing from the Word

This is an excellent message (below) from Joe Focht the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia. Please give it a listen when you get a chance.

In the past I have commented on the Emerging Church but there is much more that could be said. I should say I don't disagree with everything about the so called emerging church. I think mindless man made traditions that we've turned into the institution of the church bug me just like they bug the emergents. My issue with the EC is over doctrine. I don't like to make a big deal over non-essential doctrines although good healthy debate when done with the right attitude is benificial to the body. When we're talking about the authority of scripture, the doctrine of salvation and of penal substitutionary atonement (all doctrines that have been either denied or challenged by emergents) then we're talking about very central doctrines of the faith.

Let's put it this way, if you don't beleive in them, you're not a Christian. I'm not quite sure what you are but it's definitely not Christian. First of all when you compromise on the authority of scripture (many in the emergent movement like to think of the bible as a narrative which makes it true for you but not those that have their own narrative) you end up with all kinds of weird beliefs or you are just not sure about anything.

One of the major elements that has entered the church through the emergent door is contemplative prayer which has it's basis in eastern mysticism. This is a highly dangerous spiritual practice that has more in common with the Hindu faith than biblical Christianity. Another trend that is sweeping through the church is Yoga. They like to refer to it as Christian Yoga, which if you know anything about Yoga is an oxymoron. I'll get into more of that at a later time.

For now give this message a listen and think of these words spoken by the Apostle Peter, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

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