The name Scott McKnight turned up on my conversation with a Malaysian NT scholar today … in matters regarding New testament studies and also the Emergent conversation while extended time reflecting on our own Malaysian context together. (I really find times like this so stimulating and motivating)
I thought it will be nice to continue following Scott’s recent “POST” posts 🙂 which actually resonates with a lot of what I’ve been thinking about the past 5 years … but he articulates it so well … I just try to “sing in harmony” after his insights and echo some of my own impulses.
“Post” as in Post-Evangelical
“I believe this to be the case for many within the Emerging movement, some use “post” Evangelical for those who are transcending the foundations upon which, or the intellectual ground upon which, the distinction between “liberal” and “fundamentalist/evangelical” was founded. In other words, they see the possibility of a Christian faith that is neither liberal nor fundamentalist/evangelical, but which takes from both expression, and moves on. In this sense, it adheres to an articulation of the faith that takes as its primary conversation partner the Bible as Word of God but which knows that in this day the expression of the faith will no longer be what it was in the days when liberalism and fundamentalism/evangelicalism held sway.”
I’ve been interacting with some not just through books but in person and find this expression of faith refreshing. The first time I actually heard of the term “post-evangelical” was actually through Rober Brow in his article Evangelical or Post-Evangelical and David Tomlinson.
Post-Certianty
“what the Emergent Christian denies is not that there is truth but that our articulation of that truth is always limited. Truth is personal and therefore our knowledge of God as Person in Jesus Christ through the Spirit and the Church limits our grasp until the Eschaton. And, to compound the whole discussion, genuine truth is the story of God make known to us through Christ and the Spirit in the community where that story is performed in such a manner that humans can grasp the true story of the true gospel.”
Accepting one’s limitation to me is a strength rather than weakness … and isn’t that just being plain honest!? (this is definately not about fake humility… just to sound subdued or humble…)
The Post-Evangelical “Crisis”
“If we wish to be advocates for our faith, we have a much better chance of being such if we find ourselves in a story that emerges from a community where the gospel is performed and lived out in such a way that questions are asked and welcomed and responded to with integrity and humility.”
So, the immediate response to “crisis” is not necessarily packaged answers but actually being connected to a “community” where the questions that arose from the “crisis” can be worked out … amongst fellow pilgrims along the journey of faith.
Post Meta-narrative?
“the Christian faith or following Jesus, whichever linguistic turn you prefer, is a meta-narrative. But it is not a modernist meta-narrative that is the result of scientific research, objectivist analysis, and indubitable certainties. Nor is it a postmodernist construction, but a “proper confidence” in the work of God in and through Jesus Christ who invites each of us to walk into the story of God and become a character in God’s story in this world.”
Now this is getting more sophisticated than some would like it to be … but then again just because it is doesn’t mean it’s not significant … I’m happy to be walk into the story of God … I find myself growing in confidence these days 🙂