An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches

At a time when there is much talk of 'emerging/ mission-shaped church', Ray Anderson's book is a challenge to 'think theologically' and ensure that all such initiatives are rooted in a dynamic, transformative and biblically informed faith.

This book explores the parallels between the challenges facing the Church today and the first-century Antioch church, where St Paul shaped 'emergent theology', developing from the parent Jerusalem church. This was not a different gospel but a rigorous appraisal of what constituted the core message of salvation.

It is essential reading for visionary church leaders, those training future leaders, and all concerned about presenting the gospel message in a fast-changing culture.

Ray S. Anderson is senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary, California, where he has taught since 1976. He has written many books as well as articles and reviews for a range of periodicals.

From The Methodist Recorder - March 27 2008

'What has Jerusalem to do with Antioch?' is the question launching Ray Anderson's exciting book, An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches. The author suggests that the church in Jerusalem had no long-term future because it was locked into 'historical precedent, crippled by religious scruple and controlled by a fortress mentality'. Rather, it was the Antioch church which set the decisive theological pattern for an emerging mission-shaped Church.

Anderson, in some reflections on Paul's letter to the Galatians, explores the tension between two understandings of Church. The Jerusalem model draws from Moses and the Law; Paul, however, adopts a more radical approach by going behind and building his theology on God's universal promise to Abraham. He wants the Church to move beyond constricting traditions and hard boundaries, which is precisely what the author of this book believes God is demanding of us today.

Anderson draws sharp and sometimes polarising contrasts in his book: not just Christology but Christ, not just spirituality but the Spirit, not just gifts of the Spirit but a community of the Spirit, not only the Church behind us but also the Church ahead of us. He puzzles over why those first witnesses of the resurrection who knew Jesus best had so little theological insight. He argues that they were preoccupied with the earthly Jesus while Paul focuses on the risen end-time Jesus.

Although Anderson labours the point, his message is helpful for us who wrestle with the tension between inherited Church and 'fresh expressions'. Here is a book which is biblically based, 'singed by the flames of a burning bush and touched by the tongues of fire lighted at Pentecost'.

Tom Stuckey

• View a PDF extract (opens a new browser window)
• View other titles by Ray S, Anderson