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Sunday, September 17, 2006
Looking at the Whole Thing
Emerging Women

I responded (albeit a little hot-headedly) to the last post regarding emergent and a statemetn of faith. I just wanted to say how important it is to be sure and always do some research before we believe everything we read on the internet. Only a small portion of the e-mail (I didn't get an e-mail, but found the blog entry from 5/4/06 on the emergent-us site), which included comments by a former Bethel prof, was actually presented. The whole thing can be found at emergent-us.

I guess the cynic in me finds it very hard to believe that often the very people who scream for absolutes have a hard time giving the absolute whole of anything, especially when just a part can make that something look bad. Geez...isn't that what frustrates us all about politicians these days? With just a bit of googling I found the blog and I'm glad I did. I'm pretty sure if one were to keep reading, they would find that emergent does actually believe in something...read on...

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posted by Anonymous at 11:51 PM ¤ Permalink ¤


12 Comments:


  • At 9/18/2006 05:53:00 AM, Blogger Helen

    Like I wrote on the other thread, if I want to know about something, I go to the source, not to its detractors.

    Especially when my experience with its detractors has been that they tend to over-generalize and over-simplify and hence over-villify.

    My experience with conservative evangelicals is that their tendency not to go to the source and do careful research, plus their extreme a priori bias, makes whatever they say about anything except conservative evangelical Christianity rather suspect.

    Yes, there probably are exceptions - I don't want to overgeneralize about them in response to their tendency to overgeneralize about other people.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 08:40:00 AM, Blogger Unknown

    You know I am with you Syl! Totally understand the emotion!

     

  • At 9/18/2006 09:04:00 AM, Blogger Amy

    Hi, I've read this post and the earlier one.

    I hear you and I am with you...and I'm actually a conservative Evangelical myself (Pentecostal, no less).

    I also understand Scripture as emphasizing God's love toward us and our need to show love for each other. Anything done without it is just noise. Us Evangelicals tend to have issues with making this type of noise...

     

  • At 9/18/2006 09:54:00 AM, Blogger Janice

    This is part of the three-ring cirucs mentality (that I mentioned in my comment to that post 'take a look') that I despise. Not saying you, Sylvia, but the whole public war of words and he said-she said that we fall into.

    Does "Emergence" need defending?

    I hate defending it, but I get caught up in explaining it, because I see misinformation out there and I want to correct it.

    I think it would help if rather than trying to defend and respond by way of media campaign, people developed a habit of responding individually when they are individually confronted. I don't know.

    I need to devlop a habit of letting it roll off my back and just adopt a response that indicates that emergence is a WAY of thinking rather than a system of beliefs and that I'd be happy to dialogue if they are interested and then leave it at that.

    What I find is that there is so much misinformation out there (and a certain amount of confusion within) that people have their minds made up (closed) and even though so many of us don't like the polarization we see....we are part of it whether we want to be or not.

    "I'm actually a conservative Evangelical myself" -- ME too! lol

    I think part of what I see as a problem is that there is this 'core group' of people (McLaren etc) who ARE indeed operating as a 'unit' and 'speaking' for 'emegence' and in doing so there is an automatic 'separatoin' and 'stand' and 'us' vs. 'them' mentality.

    Its an "aligning oneself with" issue, and one I've not settled myself on. If I say I am 'emergent' what does that mean? What have I 'agreed' to or become a part of?

    I have taken the stance that its not a 'thing' but a mentality and a conversation....but then when I hear of people sending out emails like this....it reminds me that no conversatoin is truly universal. Someone is pulling the strings and making the rules and hmmm..organizing, setting conditions, rules -- putting the ducks in a row.

    I'd really love to see a conversation where those who have been a part of this a long time share how they see it (Emergence) as far as a thing and 'official documents' or statements. I know there was an issue at one time over the name.....we are 'emerging women' not emergent women. lol. Can we dialogue openly about this?

    Whose in charge here? lol.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 09:55:00 AM, Blogger Janice

    Sounds like Jose is a spammer. Sad. :(

     

  • At 9/18/2006 10:14:00 AM, Blogger Unknown

    My perception so far of "Emergent" is that they are not even happy with "titling it". I recently listened to one of the podcasts (listening to most of them) where they discuss that it is a "friendship"...and have kicked around re-evaluating name changes every few years, because of these reasons. I personally like how they call it a "friendship", it's not a "set of belief's", new denomination, etc. It's a open "grouping of people" from all walks, that would like to be open to discussion. Usually, when I talk to people or post...my "emerging" gets posted in quotes or even when I speak about my church I use "emerging" (even though we really don't want the "title") I don't use "emergent". I guess for me, I don't want to really be classified, but if it's insisted than classify me a "Christ follower". I don't specifically link to any particular denomination at this point...and due to the connotation many times, don't even like titling myself a "Christian" anymore...I know that sounds bad, but it's hit hard a few times...
    Little side note...My husband and I lost a good friend in a accident last week. He had 3rd degree burns over his entire body and passed away after a week. When speaking with a family member about it, the first response was "Do you know if he was a 'Christian'?" my heart sunk, "I don't know I said." They replied "Well let's hope so." This is the first time I wanted to scream. When I told my husband about it later, he told me I should have answered, "No, but he's still dead!" Again, our focus can really take away our sympathy and compassion! Instead of hurting with us or being kind, I had to be reminded, indirectly, that our burned friend, could be burning still.....Really makes me aware of my words.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 10:28:00 AM, Blogger Janice

    Michele, I am so so so sorry for your loss.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 02:46:00 PM, Blogger Unknown

    Thank you.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 04:07:00 PM, Blogger Miz Melly

    Where is this other conversation that is happening and who is Jose?
    So don't have a clue what you are all talking about?

    V. confused!

     

  • At 9/18/2006 04:37:00 PM, Blogger Unknown

    Under the "Take a Look" heading.

     

  • At 9/18/2006 05:39:00 PM, Blogger Julie

    I'm with you guys... Sorry about Jose. I posted something on Emergent Village and he came to my blog. I tried to engage his rants, but got nothing other than a bunch of name-calling anf him spamming the blogs of my friends. What a great way to show the love of Christ...

     

  • At 9/18/2006 10:20:00 PM, Blogger Free Flying Spirit

    How good to have you on board!

    Our study group has been talking about how do we interact with other church members. How do we get folks excited about spiritual growth.

    We are all so different, which is a blessing, one of me is likely enough, but I am all for moving along in this. It is happening around the world.

    Finding support in this area is hard, and lonely at times, but am finding it helpful and fun to be on the RevGalblogPals.

    Welcome! I will look forward to "emerging" along with you and those who are on this path.

    It's like walking into the sunlight!

    Free Flying Spirit

     
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