Today I began listening to the recorded sessions from the Convergent Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Let me just say that so far they are stellar. I have listened to the first three and now wish I would’ve been in attendance. J.D. Greear is soon to become one of my new favorite preachers. He gave some great examples of how to better serve your community. Ed Stetzer did a great job of reminding us of the inherent relevance of the gospel. I thought the highlight of his message came when he distinguished between changing modes and changing theology. The methods of reaching out and sharing the gospel can and inevitably will change as culture changes. However, the message of the gospel is timeless and not subject to the popular notions of the day. This is where the most extreme manifestation of the emergent church has gotten it wrong. Stetzer’s discussion naturally led itself into Mark Driscoll’s session. He gave an overview of his life and ministry and then explained the three streams of the emerging church: relevants, revisionists, and reformed.
These messages are quite possibly the best I have heard on the subject of the emerging church, cultural engagement, and differing methods. They are so good that I’m going to post them all here so you can have easy access to them. And if you are an iTunes user you can download all of the audio directly at the Southeastern podcast.
- Session 1 – J.D. Greear
- Session 2 – Ed Stetzer
- Session 3 – Mark Driscoll
- Session 4 – Dr. Danny Akin
- Session 5 – Dr. Alvin Reid
- Q & A – Panel Discussion
2 responses so far ↓
jeremy z // October 29, 2007 at 10:44 pm |
The Driscoll message was intense. I did not appreciate his bullying towards Bell, McLaren, and Pagitt.
A lot of what Driscoll is communicating is controversial, but it is also HOW he communicates it.
Apeleutheros // February 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
Mark was completely sound in his dealings with Bell, McLaren, and Pagitt. In fact I thought he was rather soft on them. Scripture tells us that if someone is teaching that which is contrary to sound doctrine they should be publically addressed. If you do not think so then I must refer you to two examples where both the apostle Paul and John addressed by name individuals who were teaching and acting contrary to the truth found in Christ.
2Ti2:15-21
3John1:9-10
I would also remind you of the epistle to the Galatians where Paul mentions having withstood Peter to his face “because he was to blame”. I suppose Paul is a big bully for telling Peter he was wrong too.
Bell, McLaren and Pagitt needed to be rebuked because their teaching things that in some cases are in complete opposition to God’s Word. In trying to “repaint” the faith they are distorting the very image of God in the eyes of an imressionable audience.
I am hurt by those who abandon the truth to follow anything that tickles their ears. As it is written:
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-4