Monday, August 15, 2011

For your calendar: Emerging Christianity Conference

Emerging Christianity Conference

Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1, 2011

Brian McLaren has said, "People aren't seeking religion-they're seeking spirituality."



In this conference, the EXPERIENCE of learning and sharing in community will likely be as memorable and enriching as the teaching and inspiration from the keynote speakers. By sharing with others in small group encounters, participants will deepen their understanding and practical knowledge of Emerging Christianity.

FRIDAY: All participants will gather to hear internationally respected theologians and teachers Nadia Bolz-Weber, Brian McLaren and Suzanne Stabile. While sharing about the current state of Emerging Christianity, Nadia, Brian and Suzanne will discuss the thrilling and sometimes uncomfortable realities of standing in liminal, sacred space. They will set the stage for discussion and sharing the following day.

To read more about this unique event, click here.

8 comments:

chris said...

Larry, I can't believe you are really advertising this conference. Well, actually I'm not, considering your beliefs on a wide variety of things.

Just when I thought the "emergent church" movement was dying out, here it comes again. I haven't heard of it recently which is why I thought it was going away.

One of the many things wrong with it is illustrated in a statement Brian Mclaren made. He said, "I don't believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion, new christian converts should remain within their specific contexts in many cases."

Suzanne Stabile dabbles in the occult with her enneagram B.S.

As far as Nadia Bolz-Weber, her parents probably shake their heads as they ask, "Where did we go wrong?" Such lovely tattoos all over her body. Such a broad-minded woman who doesn't know the difference between loving the sinner but hating the sin. So inclusive

Anonymous said...

This looks great, Larry! Thanks for sharing it. Only, I'm not sure I understand how all the different sites work. Do you have to pick only one of the topics and stay at that site all day? If so, that's a little unfortunate you have to choose so exclusively.

Anonymous said...

Chris:

Did you notice that there are four churches - all of different denominations - behind this conference? Baptist, Disciples, Methodist and Presbyterian. All quite distinct. All over the spectrum.

But I'm sure, as usual, all these other people are wrong and you are right.

Chris said...

Yes, I am aware that there are four churches sponsoring the conference. So what? That doesn't negate the fact that Brian Mclaren is a false teacher. It was Mclaren who said, "The cross is almost a distraction and false advertising for God." Pardon me for thinking that the cross was/is the reason for our hope in Christ. I'm sure the REV. Larry James would agree with me.

Anonymous said...

The full quote:

"This is, one of the huge problems is the traditional understanding of hell. Because if the cross is in line with Jesus’ teaching then—I won’t say, the only, and I certainly won’t say even the primary—but a primary meaning of the cross is that the kingdom of God doesn’t come like the kingdoms of this world, by inflicting violence and coercing people. But that the kingdom of God comes through suffering and willing, voluntary sacrifice. But in an ironic way, the doctrine of hell basically says, no, that that’s not really true. That in the end, God gets His way through coercion and violence and intimidation and domination, just like every other kingdom does. The cross isn’t the center then. The cross is almost a distraction and false advertising for God."

That's what McClaren said. Sounds about right to me.

See also Love Wins by Rob Bell.

Chris said...

If not for the cross, we would not have hope. The cross is the center of the Christian story.

Anonymous said...

The "emergent church" movement equals repackaged liberation theology.

Anonymous said...

Chris:

I do not disagree with that last statement, and I'm pretty sure (having read some of his books) McClaren would not disagree. His very point - what he says in context - is that, if you take the cross out of the center of the message, then it is like false advertising. That is, if the cross is not the center of the message, the message is simply wrong.

Taken out of context, as you did, it's a puzzling statement. In context, it makes perfect sense.