The Ancient Emergent Church

Many in the Emerging/Emergent Church argue that they are trying to get back to the traditions of the ancient church. A number of the leaders have written books on the subject and some seem to referring to this idea in the phrase "ancient-future church." But how close is the Emerging Church to the actual ancient church?

This is the question raised by Nathan Busenitz at the Shepherd's Fellowship site. After reading Justin Martyr (who is perhaps my favorite early Church leader) he came across an interesting quote describing what the early church did at worship:

On the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a given city or rural district. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president [pastor] in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers.

When we cease from our prayer, bread is presented and wine and water. The president in the same manner sends up prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people sing out their assent, saying the 'Amen.' A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person, and to those who are not present they are sent by the deacons.

Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need.

But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.
For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration. (First Apology, 67)

From this quote, Busenitz points out 6 things that seem to contradict the Emergent experiment. He writes:

Per Justin's description, we get a pretty good idea of what took place in an ancient Christian church service. Notice at least seven important factors: (1) Scripture was read, from both the New Testament (“the memoirs of the apostles”) and the Old Testament (“the writings of the prophets”). (2) The pastor preached a message ("discourse"), exhorting the people to obey the things they had just heard from the Scripture. (3) The congregation prayed together. (4) The congregation participated in commemorating the Lord’s Supper. (5) In their preparation for Communion, the pastor prayed and the congregation sang songs of affirmation. (6) An offering was taken in order to meet the needs of fellow saints. (7) All of this took place on Sunday, the day on which Jesus rose from the dead.

So, how Emergent was the ancient church? Not very much, according to Justin's description, it would seem. But to the Emerging Church's credit, they aren't really interested in this part. It seems they care more about allegorical, and metaphorical interpretations of Scripture prevalent among the ancients (though Emergents are quickly moving towards a more mythical hermeneutic). They also prefer some of the more mystical experiences that are reported among the opening centuries of the Church.

So, are Emergents ancient? No. Let us not forget that many in the ancient church were killed for their faith because their message was opposed to the culture. Emergents, on the other hand, are embraced by the culture because Emergents have begun with culture rather than the gospel. The culture defines their theology, not Scripture nor the gospel. Emergents remain a postmodern phenomenon doomed to be outdated because it has limited itself to the winds of postmodernity. When it fades, so will the Emergent Church.

What we need is a transcendent gospel. To Emergents, there is no such thing. The ancients couldn't disagree more.

For More:

Nathan Busenitz - How Emergent Was the Ancient Church?

Emerging Church Thesis Available Online

Where to Begin?: 10 Emergent Must Reads

You Might Be an Emergent If . . .

I Am Justin Martyr