In an email exchange, my friend (from a long, long time ago) Todd Littleton said this about emergent embracing us “non-believers”:
There is a real sense that what you propose has already been embraced by Emergence Christianity… The sheer presence of Peter Rollins, among others, serves as a signal many are on this road… He is carving out space where interested people may talk openly about “how” we hold beliefs; that really seems to be one of the keys to Pete’s project…
I do think there needs to be space in Emergence Christianity, which as I noted seems to already exist, as well as Evangelical Christianity – even if the right side of that matrix would protest vehemently.
What do you think? Has this been your experience within emergent/Emergence? Do you think that emergent groups and churches foster and welcome those who cannot affirm many – if not all – of the beliefs that are traditionally understood as essential to Christianity?
Or, do you think that this is a noble ideal, yet to be realized?
I can’t say how much they are welcomed into their church services/worship gatherings (I’ve only been to a conference or two and haven’t been to many emergent churches), but it does seem like they are welcomed a lot more into their intellectual and social landscapes.
At least in my experience, most mainline evangelicals are allergic to people who believe differently from them whereas many emergents are trying to hear/be informed by skeptics and have deep friendships with them. Progress!
It seems to me that you are right. Thanks for commenting!
Embracing doubt and skepticism is what is so appealing to me about “emerging/emergent” Christianity. Reading Peter Rollins is what opened up the possibility for me to be a Christian a/theist and skeptic. (Indeed, I think Pete and Ziezek are right when they say that only an atheist can be a true Christian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx3_2lpvZKM)
Man, I listened to/watched that a couple of years back and had NO CLUE what he was talking about! Ha! I’ll have to revisit this. I’m sure I will agree… Thanks, Scot!