Now I'm chomping at the bit. This is just the kind of work I've been looking for since I first encountered the terminology "emerging church" about 10 months ago. (How's that for being behind the times?)

Thanks for the heads up.

Ed,

Finally, you've come out!!!

I'm glad that you continue to bring this conversation to the forefront. The caricature that has been painted in many circles is obviously so insufficient. Scot McKnight's "three streams" approach is another valuable portrait of the diversity of emerging. I am always bemused at how people (some of my friends, even) will condemn and castigate something that they know virtually nothing about. You are helping to bring clarity, and I appreciate that very much.

Eric

Ed:

I'm excited to read this one.

But...I do have a question. How many people that are contributing to the book are actually affiliated with the emerging church? Now I am not connected to the emerging church, but I think it would be fair if you are going to put forth their view, to have at least some of articles done by someone connected to this stream.
But then again it's hard, from what I have read previously, to truly pin down what they, as a movement, believe.

Keep up the good work!

-Josh

no offense . . . but would you like me to go and give you the synopsis of each chapter. my only fear is that this will be far from being generous and resort to simply being descriptive of two sides. nailing the liberals and double handedly complimenting the conservatives.

it's also a shame that it takes reading a book for some to understand a culture that is one of, if not the most predominant cultures today.

not bashing. just saying.

and i know it's a lifeway "commissioned book" but you'd might find a more robust account if it wasn't all written by people from one rather narrow perspective.

i really hope i'm not sounding like a jerk but it's just moderately amusing.

wait. i just reread my comment. i sound like a jerk.

Good questions...

I think they title will help define the purpose. This is a book of some of the world's leading evangelical scholars (some Baptist, some not) looking at the movement from their fields of expertise.

I know Henard will make sure everyone gives a fair read of the movement, but I think it is not a repeat of Webber's Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Church.

I would think that Methodists Engaging Emergent (or Presbyterians, or Mainliners, or Baptists) would have a different view, but it still would be helpful to the conversation as we think through important theological and ministry issues.

Looks promising, Ed. While my first impulse was similar to some of the other commenters- in that it seemed a fairly narrow perspective, I understand your point in why this might still be helpful and important. I hope the book is explicit in this representation, as it could otherwise further confuse the issue for some.

On that note, I hope that the book will look beyond the American context for more than just historical development and look at other expressions. If not, then again an explicit disclaimer would be good.

Peace,
Jamie

Ed, I am writing a paper on this as well for our people...will be done by Oct 4th - probably will not contribute anything new but hopefully will help young people walk well through the bushes.

I will be using
Weber-listening, Driscoll for Young Leaders Network history, Carson, Bolger/Gibbs, Reclaiming the Center, Emergent Manifesto of Hope, McLaren (Story we find ourselves), ETS paper by Kunkle, and may add yours to my bibliography.

Let me know if you would recommend anything else...

Reid

Sounds good, Ed. I anticipate an evenhanded, thoughtful critique, and that will make us all better.

Peace-

Tony

Ed,

I am glad for this project. I think the book should be made available "pre-pub" to a number considered in or sympathetic to the emerging/Emerging "streams." Each could prepare a response at publication. This may well answer some of the questions implied in these comments.

I do agree with Tony. When one "scholar" used the term "conversant" to describe his work, I understand there were no "conversation" partners for said "scholar." This could make the book more valuable to your intended audience - we Lifeway Baptists, I means Southern Baptists. Otherwise I fear the ongoing caricature we Baptists so hate about ourselves.

Oh, man. Two Littleton's commenting back-to-back. This can't be good. ;)

My hopes are along the lines of Josh Husted's and Jamie Arpin-Ricci's. I'd agree with my brother, also, but then that would just look like grandstanding, wouldn't it. :)

I think Todd's suggestion is an excellent one. If this book is going to be written (as it seems to be) by non-emerging folks about the emerging church, then I think it will be imperative for the authors to actually dialogue with emerging folk before publication to ensure that their characterizations of us are accurate. Perhaps each chapter could be given to someone in the emerging church (preferably someone referred to in the chapter itself) for vetting. Then that person would be able to help critique and refine the chapter, pointing out the places where the author has misrepresented or misunderstood their subjects views.

I guarantee Don Carson's book would have been much better (maybe even somewhat accurate!) if he had bothered to do this. Don't make the same mistake with yours.