Publisher Description
What should the church look like today?What should be the focus of its message?How should I present that message?We live in as pivotal and defining an age as the Great Depression or the Sixties–a period whose definition, say some cultural observers, includes a warning of the church’s influence. The result? A society measurably less religious but decidedly more spiritual. Less influenced by authority than by experience. More attuned to images than to words.How does the church adapt to such a culture? Or should it, in fact, eschew adapting for maintaining a course it has followed these last two millennia? Or something in between?These are exactly the questions asked in The Church In Emerging Culture by five Christian thinker-speaker-writers, each who advocate unique stances regarding what the church’s message should be (and what methods should be used to present it) as it journeys through this evolving, postmodern era. The authors are:Andy Crouch–Re:Generation Quarterly editor-in-chiefMichael Horton–professor and reformed theologianFrederica Mathewes-Green–author, commentator, and Orthodox ChristianBrian D. McLaren–postmodernist, author, pastor, and Emergent senior fellowErwin Raphael McManus–author and pastor of the innovative and interethnic L.A.-based church, MosaicMost unique about their individual positions is that they’re presented not as singular essays but as lively discussions in which the other four authors freely (and frequently) comment, critique, and concur. That element, coupled with a unique photographic design that reinforces the depth of their at-once congenial and feisty conversation, gives you all-access entrée into this groundbreaking discourse.What’s more, general editor Leonard Sweet (author of SoulTsunami and AquaChurch, among several other acclaimed texts) frames the thought-provoking dialogue with a profoundly insightful, erudite introductory essay–practically a book within a book. The Church In Emerging Culture is foundational reading for leaders and serious students of all denominations and church styles.
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About the Authors
Michael S. Horton, PhD, is the J.
Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster
Seminary California. He is the editor of Modern Reformation
magazine and has written more than twenty books, including The Agony of Deceit, Putting
Amazing Back into Grace, Where in the
World is the Church?, and Power Religion.
Leonard Sweet, PhD, holds the E. Stanley Jones chair at Drew University. Founder and president of SpiritVenture Ministries, he also serves as a distinguished visiting professor at George Fox University. He is a leading figure in the emerging church movement and a major figure in discussions about Christianity’s transition to postmodernity. He is a popular speaker and has written numerous books, including Jesus Drives Me Crazy, SoulTsunami, SoulSalsa, and Carpe Mañana.
Andy Crouch, MDiv, is editorial director of the Christian Vision Project at Christianity Today International. He served as executive producer for the documentary films Where Faith and Culture Meet and Round Trip. He also sits on the editorial board of Books and Culture and has been a columnist for Christianity Today. His writing has appeared in several editions of The Best Christian Writing and The Best Spiritual Writing. He was editor-in-chief of Re:generation Quarterly and for ten years served as a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Harvard University.
Brian D. McLaren is the author of fifteen books. A former college English teacher and former pastor for twenty-four years, he is an author, activist, public theologian, and frequent guest lecturer for gatherings in the United States and internationally. His work has been covered in Time magazine, and many other media outlets. He is a faculty member of the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation.
Erwin Raphael McManus serves as lead pastor of Mosaic, a uniquely innovative and international congregation in Los Angeles. A national and international strategist and speaker on culture, change, creativity, and leadership, he also serves as distinguished lecturer and futurist for Bethel Theological Seminary.