|
A trend is sweeping the world that
promises to change the way
Christianity will be presented in
the twenty-first century. While the
seeker-friendly era attempted to
bring a generation of "baby-boomers"
to Jesus, promoters of "the emerging
church" say new methods are required
to reach the "postmodern" generation
that is hungry for spiritual
experiences.
"The emerging church" endeavors to
attract unbelievers to Christ by
providing these experiences. Many
pastors and church leaders are
weaving together elements from
different religious traditions,
especially Catholicism and Eastern
Orthodoxy. Emergent church leaders
say that in order to go ahead, we
must go back in time and reintroduce
mystical techniques that include the
introduction of candles, incense,
icons, statues, prayer stations and
the sacraments.
While proponents believe "the
emerging church" is the key to a
revival, others are concerned and
claim that it may be part of the
last days apostasy described in the
Bible. In The Emerging Church:
Revival or Return to Darkness?
(DVD - 60 minutes) Roger Oakland
documents the extrabibical nature of
"the emerging church" and shows that
it may well be a bridge to the Roman
Catholic Church. |
