What I do like about what the Emerging Church says
Much like Kevin DeYoung, I can relate to Emerging Christians who are wary of slick marketing gimmicks, how-to sermons, watered-down megachurches, and the effects of modernism. I fully agree that the Bible has been abused and nobody understands it exhaustively.
I appreciate the openness of the Emerging Church to allow people to ask questions, or even question long-held beliefs. Only rather than offering no particular answer, I hold that there is a truth to be discovered, even if it is shrouded in mystery or not particularly easy to find.
I agree that there is more to Christianity than doctrinal orthodoxy and I welcome the Emergent Church’s critique of reductionist methods of “becoming a Christian” (walk an aisle, sign a card, raise your hand, say a prayer, etc.)
Also, I am glad to hear a voice reminding us that heaven is not a place in the clouds for disembodied souls, but the re-creation and redemption of all Creation. I like their emphasis on our responsibility to bring a preview of heaven (Kingdom of God) to earth, and to just to be concerned with getting there ourselves to heaven.
In closing, I want to encourage you to not fear this movement so much that you avoid exposure to it - at least enough to be somewhat informed about it. Like it or not, in our ever-changing world, this movement is a shaping influence in the next generation of Christians.
If we who are older than 35 want to be an influence with the next generation as well, then we need to be able to dialogue with them, rather than sit in fearful judgment of the “Emerging” trends and methods. Only in doing so, will we have enough credibility in their eyes to help them sift through the rubbish and latch onto whatever there is of value from this movement. So while I do not recommend living in that camp or getting infected with its unique virus, let me encourage you to expose yourself to their way of thinking for a season.