Authentically Emergent: In Search of a Truly Progressive Christianity

by Scott Smith

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2018

Overview

Are Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and Rob Bell “yesterday’s news,” as many evangelicals seem to think? Truth and the New Kind of Christian (2005) tried to provide a balanced assessment of McLaren’s and Jones’s views. But, they seem to be right about much more that is affecting evangelicals than was realized then. Also, that book misunderstood one of their core claims: everything is interpretation. Moreover, their views have developed over the years, e.g., ethically about colonialism, its influences, and how we should live now. They also have advanced several further claims about the gospel and traditional doctrines. To what extent should Christians embrace their views? Are these the ways to go forward toward a more authentic Christianity, one that is morally better, and a better fit, for our times? Like Truth, this book gives careful attention to their thought. It also offers its own portrait of major shaping influences on Western, Americanized Christianity. But, there remains a root issue that keeps the Western church, whether progressive emergents or evangelicals, in its “Babylonian captivity.” It is liberation from that root that will lead to an authentically emergent Christianity.

Praise for Authentically Emergent

“R. Scott Smith is one of the leading thinkers in Christian circles on the emergent church movement and a biblical assessment of it. His evaluation, rooted in solid theology and philosophical rigor, offers a positive contribution to the discussion.”

—Barry H. Corey, President of Biola University and author of Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue

Product Details

• Title : Authentically Emergent: In Search of a Truly Progressive Christianity
• Author: Smith, R. Scott
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• ISBN: 9781532640414

About Scott Smith

Scott Smith (MA) ran a classical Christian school for seventeen years in Orlando before going into open air preaching ministry full time. He has been married to his wife Patte for thirty-six years. They have three grown sons and five grandkids and reside in Raleigh, North Carolina.