Torch, Fall/Winter 2012

understanding may be wrong in order to offer new and unusual interpretations of key biblical texts. Consider Jesus’ warning that most people are on the broad road that leads to destruction and only a few are on the narrow road that leads to life (Matt. 7:13–14). McLaren suggests that Jesus was not speaking of heaven and hell here but merely advising people that there are many ways to get in trouble with Rome and only a few ways to live at peace with it. When asked about this novel reading, McLaren conceded that he could be wrong but at least his view was possible. I suppose, but don’t we need a better reason to overturn 2,000 years of exegesis than just “anything is possible”? This penchant for new interpretations is most noticeable in the area of homosexuality. The Church has always taught that Scripture, particularly Romans 1:26–27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9, opposes homosexual behavior. But many Emergents assert that homosexual activity in Paul’s day differed from ours. They say he observed adult men taking advantage of young boys, so when he denounced homosexuality he was actually opposing pedophilia. According to these Emergents, we don’t know what Paul would think of gay unions among consenting adults; besides, isn’t it more important that homosexuals are happy than that they obey some ancient rule? So Caputo, who concedes that Scripture opposes all homosexual activity, also says the Bible is wrong. Last Thoughts The emerging church is a big postmodern tent that, though it includes many with nontraditional views, also makes room for conservative Christians who want to dialogue about the shape of their faith in the 21st century. A Christian may be emerging and entirely orthodox. This is less likely with Emergent. Though some orthodox Christians may remain Emergent for relational reasons, the movement itself is trending toward a new kind of liberalism that discards many foundational beliefs of the Church: original sin, penal substitution, the reliability of revelation, and the need to believe anything about Christ in order to be saved. Once these dominoes fall, what is left of the Christian faith? Emergents rightly emphasize our need to follow Christ and serve others, but they often forget that we can only live for Jesus when we are rooted in the doctrines of orthodox Christianity. Genuine Christians never stop serving because they never stop loving, and they never stop loving because they never stop believing. May we all live a faith that pursues biblical truth, godly love, and spiritual integrity. Dr. Michael Wittmer, a 1989 graduate of Cedarville University, is a professor of systematic theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He attended Dallas Theological Seminary and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary before earning a Ph.D. from Calvin Theological Seminary. His most recent publications include the books Heaven Is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God and Don’t Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus Is Not Enough. Fall–Winter 2008 11 T T o read more about the Emergent church, check out Dr. Michael Wittmer’s new book, Don’t Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus Is Not Enough. Rooted in the fundamentals of the faith, Wittmer presents an analysis of the Emergent movement and its doctrine. He addresses the key issues that confront today’s church and shows why both right belief and right practice are necessary for authentic Christianity. Don’t Stop Believing is published by Zondervan and scheduled for release on October 28.