A Passionate Review

Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Probably Should Be)
Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. Moody Publishers, 2008. 256 pp. $10.49 (paperback)

Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck in their book Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) approach an ever increasing topic of conversation, the Emerging Church. Today many young Christians across America are tired of the very “modern” churches that have become “seeker” friendly. As a response to, or a rebellion against these “modern” churches the Emerging Church movement has arisen.

Mark Driscoll, an advocate for the emerging church, distinguishes between two different groups within the movement, or as some call it; conversation. The Emerging group seeks to reach a post-modern culture in its own context. The Emergent side also seeks to reach a post-modern world they, however, go too far in their attempts to reach the culture.

This is the issue which Deyoung and Kluck are addressing. The issue is not the emerging church, the issue is the liberties that the emergent side is taking. Deyoung and Kluck do not make the distinction of “emerging” and “emergent” in their book, they use both terms interchangeably. They are however addressing the issues they have with the Emergents who’ve gone too far in their “conversation”.

Emergents, like post-modernism, have come to question everything. Basic orthodox beliefs which are clearly taught in Scripture, have been declared “uncertain”. Why We’re Not Emergent clearly addresses some major issues that are opening the door to unorthodoxy. Such truths as the knowability of God, the Bible as the inspired inerrant word of God, eternal judgment, and the atonement have been questioned and sort of redefined, if I can even use the word defined.

I highly recommend this book to both those who don’t typically read theology books and to those who do. This book keeps you interested and clearly states that the Emergent Church is addressing some issues that need to be looked at. The authors’ concern is, however, that some of these answers are steering in the wrong direction.
Read it! Enjoy it! Don’t forget to read your Bible!