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gbdill's review
4.0
Somewhat academic, Tickle gives a bird's eye view of Emergence Christianity. She begins by introducing the premise that there is a major shift in Christianity every 500 years, that can easily be observed over the past 2,000 years. Ironically, Brian McLaren refers to this in "A New Kind of Christianity". Today, this shift into a post-modern world and the ideologies that accompany it is called the Great Emergence. Tickle then gives a historical overview of Emergence Christianity, both the good and the bad. Surprisingly, Emerging Christianity is not a new term nor a new ideology, but its genesis can be found in the late 19th century and continues to evolve over a 100+ year timeframe to this day. Tickle then proceeds to define what Emergence Christianity is, what it is not, and the direction it is currently headed. Tickle explains that there is a distinct difference between Emergence and Emerging Christianity which is quite often mistakenly used interchangeably. Emergence is separate from any mainstream (or mother) denominational group. Whereas, Emerging is often still attached to a denominational or mainstream group, but often venturing to the outer edges and embracing some elements of Emergence. The best way that Tickle defined Emergence Christianity is found in the subtitle of Brian McLaren's book, "Generous Orthodoxy" which states: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed- yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian. This indeed is the confession and manifesto of Emergence Christianity. Finally, Tickle ends the book on her thoughts about the future of Emergence Christianity, including some self-reflective questions. For example, what will be used as the authority for Emergence Christianity? What potential struggles await? If we are truly seeing a major shift, how can the old and new orders fit together? Tickle gives her best estimation on each of these questions, and more.
Overall, this is an excellent book. Tickle tries to remain objective throughout this book to which she does a terrific job. But, she did take license in labeling some things as being "Emergent" where I am not so sure they are in fact "Emergent" (i.e. Azusa St., Pentecostalism). She also believes the rise of New Calvinism in recent years is a pushback or resistance to the rise of Emergence Christianity, which I too am not convinced is the case. Nevertheless, this book is an outstanding overview of Emergence Christianity and I highly recommend it to all who want to know what exactly it is and where it is going.
Overall, this is an excellent book. Tickle tries to remain objective throughout this book to which she does a terrific job. But, she did take license in labeling some things as being "Emergent" where I am not so sure they are in fact "Emergent" (i.e. Azusa St., Pentecostalism). She also believes the rise of New Calvinism in recent years is a pushback or resistance to the rise of Emergence Christianity, which I too am not convinced is the case. Nevertheless, this book is an outstanding overview of Emergence Christianity and I highly recommend it to all who want to know what exactly it is and where it is going.
drbobcornwall's review
2.0
Emergence Christianity is the follow up to The Great Emergence (for my review of this book see my blog -- http://www.bobcornwall.com/2009/01/great-emergence-review.html). While I'm not a big fan of the idea that history moves in grand 500 year leaps, I found it an intriguing read. I was hoping for more in this follow up book, but I was disappointed by the book. I'm not sure why this happened, because Baker usually does a good job with editing, but the book is full of errors, including wrong names and affiliations. To give but one instance -- she writes that John Wimber directed Fuller Seminary's Department of Church Growth. While he did co-teach a signs and wonder's class with Peter Wagner, he wasn't a regular faculty member. Instead he worked for the Charles Fuller Evangelistic Association. In another place she suggested that the early church didn't have an atonement theology before Augustine, but that is clearly wrong.
But more to the point, in her effort to lift up the broad spread of Emergence Christianity I think she covered things way too superficially. Thus, just about everyone who is at least a bit hip is emergent. My suggestion is read The Great Emergence and look elsewhere for follow up.
But more to the point, in her effort to lift up the broad spread of Emergence Christianity I think she covered things way too superficially. Thus, just about everyone who is at least a bit hip is emergent. My suggestion is read The Great Emergence and look elsewhere for follow up.
coruscate68's review
4.0
Tickle excels when succinctly chronicling history. Her expanse of knowledge and mostly objective reading of the tradition, as well as her integral approach, make this volume both a helpful and enjoyable read. It's refreshing to hear the voice of one of Emergence Christianity's keenest observers at once admire what God is doing in the church as well as offer caution and critique where and when needed.
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