Pastor DeYoung and sports columnist Kluck thoroughly probe the emerging church from a theological and on-the-street perspective. Resourcing interviews, articles, books, blogs, and experiences, they carefully examine the movement's views on Scripture; the wrath of God; the place of Jesus; spiritual journey vs. pilgrimage; and more. A systematic, thought-provoking, and accessible "dialogue." 224 Pages. Softcover from Moody.
Kevin Deyoung is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, across the street from Michigan State University.
Ted Kluck is the author of three books and has written for ESPN the Magazine, Sports Spectrum Magazine, ESPN.com, and several small literay journals.
"You can be young, passionate about Jesus Christ, surrounded by diversity, engaged in a postmodern world, reared in evangelicalism and not be an emergent Christian. In fact, I want to argue that it would be better if you weren’t."
The Emergent Church is a strong voice in today’s Christian community. And they’re talking about good things: caring for the poor, peace for all men, loving Jesus. They’re doing church a new way, not content to fit the mold. Again, all good. But there’s more to the movement than that. Much more.
Kevin and Ted are two guys who, demographically, should be all over this movement. But they’re not. And Why We’re Not Emergent gives you the solid reasons why. From both a theological and an on-the-street perspective, Kevin and Ted diagnose the emerging church. They pull apart interviews, articles, books, and blogs, helping you see for yourself what it’s all about.
Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, across the street from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Hope College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of Freedom and Boundaries: A Pastoral Primer on the Role of Women in the Church and has written daily devotionals for Words of Hope: Daily Reflections. He and his wife, Trisha, have three children: Ian, Jacob, and Elizabeth. Ted Kluck's work has appeared in ESPN the Magazine, Sports Spectrum magazine, ESPN.com, Page2, and several small literary journals. A bi-monthly column for Sports Spectrum Magazine entitled "Pro and Con" won the Evangelical Press Association award for best standing column in 2003. Additionally, Ted has written two WGA registered screenplays and an award-winning (Damah Film Festival, Sabaoth Film Festival) short film. Ted lives in Lansing, Michigan with his wife Kristin, and son, Tristan.
So who are these “two guys who should be Emergent but aren’t?” Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan and Ted Kluck is primarily a sports writer whose articles have appeared in ESPN the MagazineSports Spectrum to name a few. Both of these men seek to tackle one of the controversial topics surrounding the modern Evangelical church – the Emergent church movement. They alternate chapters in this book: Kevin gives the “play by play” and Ted gives the “color commentary” (to give a sports analogy; I’m sure Ted would be pleased). In other words, DeYoung’s approach is to evaluate the teaching of the Emergent movement theologically and Kluck’s approach is more observational and editorial in format.
DeYoung and Kluck do an excellent job of addressing many of the key issues synonymous with this polarizing movement and they do so with a very bold, yet gracious manner. Both acknowledge some of the good points the movement tries to make concerning the contemporary Evangelical’s shortcomings – especially in the area of reaching the post-modern generation. However, the ways and the theology that guides this movement are corrupt at its core.
Both authors take on some of the more troubling teaching coming out of that movement, such as: God is ultimately unknowable; the rejection of many of the key biblical propositions (e.g. “Jesus is the only way”); and the rejection of Hell as being real and eternal. Listen to this troubling quote by the grand master of the Emergent movement, Brian MacLaren, “I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain with their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts" (pp. 201-202). So much for the Great Commission! (Matthew 28:18-20) DeYoung addresses the “different Gospel” espoused by this movement in this apt quote, “Our cursed world needs more than a plan for refurbished morals. It needs a Savior because it is so full of sinners. I just cannot understand how the gospel as a call to become a disciple for the good of the world is richer, grander, and more alive than a gospel that announces God’s grace, forgiveness, and the free gift of salvation.” The Emergent gospel is another gospel. Paul gives this jolting commentary about those who propagate a different gospel, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-8, ESV).
With a winsome, highly-informed, and biblical approach, DeYoung and Kluck offer one of the best evaluations of the Emergent movement. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a better understanding of how to navigate through its dangerous doctrines. DeYoung and Kluck’s definition of an Emergent on pages 20-22 is worth the price of admission. Note: The Emergent church is to be distinguished from the emerging movement – although similar in some ways, there are many in the emerging movement who seek to reach post-moderns but with a decidedly biblical game-plan and mindset. -- Pastor Todd Burgett, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michael Bowler (Elk Grove, CA), January 30, 2010
The emergent church in general gets both Christian theology and history wrong, making up their own personal "God narratives" as they go.
This book answers the questions posed by the emergent/emerging movement with sound scriptural reasoning.
If your church High School or College group shows Rob Bell videos, turn them off and study this book instead.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sally (Columbus, OH), August 02, 2009
I heard the authors interviewed on the radio and decided to buy their book. I am glad I did. They provided thought-provoking analysis from Biblical, church history and logical standpoints but in a very readable, accessible manner. Some of the footnotes are even humorous.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Mark Murphy (Spokane Valley, WA), March 13, 2009
This is a very good book explaining and addressing the issues of the Emerging/Emergent movement. If you are a layman and not up and up on deep theology, I suggest this book totally. It tackles the issues in a way that anyone can understand who has a basic knowledge of the faith. I'd also say that those who identy themselves as 'Emergent' should read this is it is by two guys are very charitable yet fair in their reading of the movement. Excellent book.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tom Anderst (St Albert, Ab,), July 09, 2008
The authors strike a nice balance between theological argument and cultural observation. Their book is free from over the top rhetoric and accusation. I do appreciation them shining the spotlight on their own church traditions throughout. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about the Emergent church movement and gain some valuable insight to respectfully engage in discussion.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Greg McKelvey (Windsor , me), June 19, 2008
Want to get the 411 on the"emergent church" then this book is for you! Every pastor should read the book to get a better understand of the good and the bad in the "emergent church". I heard the guys speak at Moody and they are the real deal! They really do a good job of pointing out what they liked and what was hard for them to understand! Very insightful read!! Get it!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michael Carter (Bloomington, IN), June 12, 2008
This is a very enlightening book, especially for those who are not really quite sure what the "emergent" church is! The authors are quite transparent and do a terrific job of being objective, but not compromising. Must read!!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lee (Vancouver, Canada), May 13, 2008
This is an outstanding introduction to the dangers inherent in the emergent church movement. While books of this nature aren't usually described as "page turners", this one is. Both authors possess a gift for engaging and informative writing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a fair assessment of this movement.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Phil Meyer (Perkiomenville, PA), April 24, 2008
I received this book when I was at a recent Pastors Conference. I found the book to be well balanced and very well researched. I had been looking for a book that could inform me of what the emergent church was thinking and teaching. I had time to read this gem on my flight home and found that it answered most of the questions I had concerning the movement(and stimulated other questions). DeYoung and Kluck have done their homework and for that I am very grateful. A very thorough and even handed treatise of the Emergent church movement.
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