As Christ-followers in praxis and emergent orientation, we have taken many shots over the years from other Christians, namely evangelical conservative pastors. One of the frequent comments regarding the emergent movement is that as a movement it will not talk about sin and is often observed watering down or avoiding the issue altogether. I have to agree for the most part with their assertion. And then I beg... what are we scared of? Personally, I think we're scared to discuss and engage the issue, because when we do we are not able to escape the "old" language frame that "sin" is often couched in. When we discuss sin in the modern context, we are namely discussing a word that has been developed from the passions and patterns of persuasion presented by the revivalists of the mid to late 19th century up to the present. The method of these crusaders was to batter the listeners to a point where shame and guilt so strangled an individual, that the listener would do anything to ease the pain. If we, as Christians, want to be honest, we have to ask the question whether this initiation to the Kingdom leads to fully developed and devoted followers of Christ? The fact that I'm writing this blog is evidence to the futility of this approach. However, although previous generations were into guilt tripping, this generation should not side-step the issue... sin is sin. So let's re-engage the issue. Let us not begin with, "what do we think about sin?", but "What does our heavenly Father think about sin?" Before I develop this further, I wish to get your thoughts on sin and how it fits into the narrative of the emergent dialog. Your thoughts???
2 comments:
Jesus feels deeply about sin, especially the self-righteous kind that kills and judges. One glance at the gospels shows you God's heart on sin. He embraced those who were being condemned by the non-righteous righteousness of the Pharisees, and in turn condemned those doing the condemning. Sin is deadly and destructive. What I appreciate about the growing conversation is the healing it is bringing to those who have been judged lacking by the church. I love the focus on the way of Jesus as the way of reconciling life; as he said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Come Lord Jesus, come.
Jeromy, you're speaking my language. What I hear Jesus saying to the Pharisees is, "your sick religion has so distorted you that I find you unrecognizable and your pursuits to be intollerable. I know who you really are and you choose such a miserable identity that destroys you and your neighbor."
"embraced those being condemned", so well put.
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