I have only read one book in the Faith in an Emerging Culture Series from Paternoster (Re: Mission: Biblical Mission for a Post-Biblical Church) but the preface really captures where I am in my exploration of my faith these days:
It is common knowledge that Western culture has undergone major changes and we now find ourselves in an increasingly postmodern (or post-postmodern?), post Christendom, post industrial, post-just-about-anything-you-like world. The church now sits on the margins of western culture with a faith ‘package deal’ to offer the world that is perceived as out of date and irrelevant. How can we recontextualize the old, old story of the gospel in the new, new world of postmodernity? How can we fulfill our missional calling in a world that cannot any longer understand or relate to what we are saying? ‘Faith in an Emerging Culture’ seeks to imaginatively rethink Christian theology and practice in postmodern ways. It does not shrink from being explorative, provocative and controversial but is at the same time committed to remaining within the bounds of orthodox Christian faith and practice. Most readers will find things to agree with and things which will irritate them but we hope at very least to provoke fresh thought and theological/spiritual renewal.
So much so that I am using the first half as a teaser for my Sunday School class in 2015. I think these questions and issues have only become more relevant and important even as the term “emerging” in connection with church has mostly faded.
