Thursday
Jan272005
Blomberg's review of Generous Orthodoxy
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 10:24AM
I didn't link to this when I originally read it, but since then I've read some pretty nasty reviews of Generous Orthodoxy. To be honest, I haven't finished the book yet, but Blomberg makes sense as he reacts to some of the extreme critics of the book:
But overall, I am far more enthusiastic about this volume than worried over it. What worries me are the growing numbers of people who are worried about it. What does this portend if not an ungenerous orthodoxy that draws ever-narrowing boundaries around what counts as authentic Christianity, thereby alienating even more onlookers from the very faith they already see as too judgmental and divisive? I recommend McLaren's work highly to anyone who cares about evangelizing postmoderns and about developing the kind of community in the church of Jesus Christ that our Lord himself seems to have desired.
Reader Comments (16)
Amen and Amen and an extra hallelujah for good measure!
To be quite honest with you Bro., I am sick and tired of all the labels and "church-speak." Post-modern. Emergent. Evangelical. Fundamentalist. Baptist. Charismatic. Catholic. Protestant. I am of Paul. I am from Richview. I am yada, yada, yada, ...... "What does THIS portend if not....ever narrowing boundaries around what counts as authentic Christianity, thereby alienating even more onlookers from the very faith they already see as too judgemental and divisive?" (emphasis mine.) Whatever happened to: "I am a Christian, heir and joint-heir to the Kingdom of God, and these are my brothers and sisters." ??? I recommend highly the work of Jesus Christ to anyone who cares about sharing the Gospel and developing the kind of community within the church of Jesus Christ that our Lord Himself seems to have desired. -- to paraphrase Blomberg.
Good thoughts Arthur. I'm sick of it too - and in my heart I truly wish there weren't so many brands of Christians. I respect Blomberg a lot. However, with this comment I feel he's got the cart before the horse. Jacob.
Jacob, the quote probably doesn't do justice to his review. It's worth reading the whole thing.
But Blomberg's a Lutheran ;)
... Brian is a good friend of ours out here ( Victoria ) and I think Craig Blomberg got something right ... when Brian spent a week with us in May 2003 someone asked him why he was stepping out, taking all this flak, so much of it created by his teaching &/or communication approach ( make you mad, get you thinking, move your ideas a bit ). His simple answer was ... "at the bottom of it all, I am an evangelist by gifting and passion first, a pastor second, a communicator third, and a writer fourth. But if someone doesn't unpack some of this who/how will this generation be reached for Jesus?" ... so Blomberg's last sentence captures some of it. By the way, do conservative baptist ( Denver ) seminaries allow Lutherans to teach there? :-)
Arthur, in what way do you hold Catholics responsible for the "ever narrowing boundaries of Christianity?"
Paul, I don't see where Arthur is holding Catholics responsible.
Well, I guess to some extent it is an assumption. But to be fair, I think Arthur's concern is more a consequence of post reformation Protestantism than it is of Catholicism.
No. My concern is that whatever label one wants to put on the denomination one leans toward; whatever idioms or lingo one uses to communicate the position one holds; whatever classification people use to set themselves apart from other groups of people, causes those on the outside to see the divisiveness rather than the unity. I don't care whether one is Protestant or Catholic; Evangelical or Fundamentalist; post-modern, orthodox, reformed, pre-emergent, post-emergent, or non-emergent, the use of such terminology tends to be exclusive of anyone else. Besides, in my opinion, it also tends to cause confusion, and detract from the main message: The Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ. All this discussion about who is right and who is wrong; whether our particular group is better than any other particular group; whether my interpretation is better than yours, is all non-essential clap-trap. We spend way too much time on this type of political bull-dust, and far too little on loving one another, (They shall know we are Christians by our LOVE,) being kind to each other, (Let us not grow weary of doing good,) and spreading the Word. (Go, and make disciples of all the nations.) Why on earth would anyone want to be a disciple, if all they see and hear is dissension?
Another thing, Paul. What in hell is "post reformation Protestantism?" I am just a simple fool and don't understand this type of label, any more than I understand "pre-emergent, or post-modern." Neither do I care to, to be honest. All I want is to be a part of the Family of God. All I need is more of Jesus, to become what He wants me to be. Don't bother me with anything else.
Wow this blog entry almost slipped by me lol Arthur, Arthur, I love when you rant lol Imagine if you got plugged into a church though and shared a pew with Paul.
Thanks. I'm feeling the love Arthur. :) "We cannot come before Christ, the Lord of history, as devided as we have been...these devisions must give way to rapprochement and harmony; the wounds on the path of Christian harmony must be healed." from the Apostolic letter ORIENTALE LUMEN of the Supreme pontiff John Paul II For what it's worth, I think the Roman Catholic church agrees with you. There must always be a Christian church. There should only be one. We are probably free to decide what to call it. The preceeding three sentences are only my opinion. Feel free to rant.
Trish, I'd rather get plugged into Jesus, and share a seat around His table with Paul. Anybody is welcome to join us. Come as you are! Paul, regarding the quote in your last comment: I like it! Wise man, that John Paul II. I tend to become impatient sometimes, (can you tell?) but I don't mean to rant. I apologize if I caused any offense.
Hi Arthur, to be perfectly honest I might the guy in front of you in the impatience line asking for a little extra "smart ass" sauce with his conversation. :) Thanks for the welcoming remarks, they are much appreciated. No offense taken Trish, I certainly respect your knowledge and your ability to communicate it. I'm really an approachable and pretty decent guy, though I sometimes make the mistake of expressing conclusions/opinions without context or enough supportive explanation when blogging. Combine that with the previously mentioned "sauce" and it can lead to some rather spicy dialogues. Hopefully no harm, no foul. Peace
I am going to look forward to meeting you both one day! Isn't it going to be interesting? "Oh, so YOU'RE the guy who quoted the Pope to me! And you're the gal who called me simplistic! Fancy meeting you here! Gee. I didn't think they would let you in!" Smile!!! Just kidding, -- at least that last bit!