By Ray S. Anderson
IVP Books, 2006, 240 pp.,
$17.00, ivpress.com
Some have criticized the Emerging Church movement for its lack of intellectually engaging material. Fuller theology professor Ray S. Anderson aims to change that with his latest work, An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches.
Working primarily from the book of Galatians, Anderson puts forward the idea that Paul and the church at Antioch theologically emerged from the church at Jerusalem, leaving the mother church and its old ways. This emergence was necessary for Christianity to spread its wings — or else be condemned forever as just another Jewish sect. From this position, Anderson builds a fresh theology that recognizes biblical principles forsaken by the previous generation.
At times, Anderson’s historical narrative seems unconvincing, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. At others, he breathes excitement and motivation into the reader by displaying the passion that is so appealing about the Emerging Church. Emergent Theology is a good step forward for the Emerging Church in terms of academic viability. Hopefully it will not be the last.
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Review by: Paul Berry, writer, International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, Colorado.