The Unenlightenment: Celebrating Ambiguity

“(We) operate with a liquid system that celebrates ambiguity, openness and change. A system which is as unambiguous as possible about our ambiguity, clear about our lack of clarity and insightful with regards to our blindness.” This is just a taste of what is posted on one of the most appalling websites that I have seen in a while. IKON is part of the Emergent Church “conversation.” (Of course that is only a conversation you are allowed to be in if you agree with their philosophy. You can disagree with their theology all day long — to them that’s a good thing. But don’t question their approach to church.)

2 Timothy, chapter 3 is reaching a pinnacle right before our eyes. Heresy is mainstream, embraced, even celebrated. Yes, celebrated. Consider another quote from the website: “…we acknowledge our heretical stance in relation to the larger Christian community . . . Not only do we acknowledge and celebrate the multiplicity of ways that one can read Christianity, we actively employ these diverse readings in order to help ensure that no single understanding is taken as the only true understanding. By doing this we also endeavor to be a place of refuge for those on the edges, or outside, the traditional church system, yet who desire God. While this can often place us in tension with more established forms of religion, we view this as a creative force that allows for a critical, two-way interaction with the larger church, challenging while being challenged.”

If it were not bad enough that we have what Phil Johnson calls the Fad-Driven® Church. There is one not far from here that offers 10 different worship styles at one time. It is not just a seeker-centered church but a Tourist-seeker Church! But at least they know what they believe. At least we can see an actual creed and polity to have a Biblical discussion. But now all bets are off. I doubt Spurgeon ever saw this coming though he heavily warned of the Down-grade Controvery. Listen to more of the self-contradiction that is embraced as a virtue: We are aware that our own success will ultimately help undermine our heretical stand, for if we become established then we will become the dominant voice. Hence we attempt to build self-critique into the very heart of each Ikon service so that we are continually undermining our own ideas rather than those of other people. In this way Ikon is neither a conservative or liberal community (although people who attend come from both traditions) for the point is not what you believe but whether you are willing to challenge and critique it.

I stand firm in this: there is no question the Emergent Church Movement is dripping with post-modern heresies and doctrines of demons. Any pastor who embraces it is deceived and a derelict of the ministry of the Gospel. Jude saw it coming for sure: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” And he goes on to describe the “ungodly men,” “sensual” men, who “deny” the Lord while they “mouth great swelling words.” The Emergent Church is definitely swelling with words. But do not be deceived, friends, their folly will be manifest to all and they will progress no further (2Tim.3:9). Be firm. Be faithful. Be fearless. And may the true church not stumble, but earnestly contend for THE FAITH.