Tag! You're IT
I saw an interview a while ago that stuck by my. Rob Bell was being asked about the emerging movement.
Rob Bell: "We don't ever use that word [emerging] because in our particular context unnecessarily creating labels - Are you 'in'? Are you 'out'? Are you one of them or not? seems to work against the spirit of Jesus."
Interviewer: "But how do you feel when it is used of you? Do you feel uncomfortable with that tag?"
Rob Bell: "Yes. Yeah. Yes."
Interviewer: "Just because its a tag and you don't want any tag?
Rob Bell: "Some have called it a "conversation"... it's a tag that is referring to people who are serious about what I would argue is something central to the Christian faith: the endless hard questioning of what does it mean to be the people of Jesus - here and now, in this place, in this time? What does it look like to be the hands and feet in this city? In this day and age? Well that's a conversation that's not exclusive or even new to emergent and its a conversation that must endlessly be had with every community and every generation. If that's what they are talking about then 'great'. But if it's some sort of group over here who believe they somehow have stumbled upon the keys to everything and everyone else is clueless then that's just simply not helpful at all."
I see his point - should we be calling ourselves anything at all?
THen again - There is something slightly distasteful about saying "we are so open and free we don't even have a name for it". I love structure in religion - it reminds me of the mo'adim the Jews talk about: appointed times, appointed places.
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the original Jesus people
Well, every now and again someone would claim that no label can define them, and that they are simply followers of Jesus. Maybe acknowledging the tradition/conversation I find myself in is just more honest. No offense to Rob, cause I think he's quite a smart guy, but I don't think claiming that no label can identify you is a very honest thing to do.
Labels
I like Rob Bell's attitude!
In Velvet Jesus he writes something like Christian is a bad adjective. I think so too :)
No labels=yes
I've often said around these parts that the label is unhelpful. I'm kinda stoked Bell agrees. I don't consider myself emerging or emergent. Where I might be different, though, is when someone calls me emerging I don't think I would be comfortable with that label. But I don't know if I'm comfortable with the label 'evangelical' either.
The reason why labels are unhelpful, in my opnion, is it discourages many people who are seeking to stay away from 'those guys' who are called 'x' because some other preacher said anyone with an 'x' believes in this or that. So that person may never know what 'x' really is about simply because 'x' has been boxed for them, and the box they've been given they may not like.
I discovered 'emerging' long before many others did, and precisely because (at that time) emerging was not boxed as anything, and there were no books on the subject, and it was a term not a 'group', I was able to draw a great deal more from it than many can now; because many of my friends are scared to look into it (whatever 'it' is) simply because they have been told what 'it' is about, despite that most of what they've been told are generalisations and misconceptions.
When we throw away the labels, 'x' or 'it' is unboxed and more approachable; less exclusive; and more 'safe' for others to explore, simply because they are now exploring and not 'siding' which is prone to happen when labels start coming out.
www.ryanpeterwrites.com
"The Glory of God is man fully alive" - St Iraneaus
a time to label
Stray this is interesting: you feel no label is more approachable, but I think this view must be seen in contrast to the fact that people fear the unknown. The 2 main responses to the undefined seem to be fear or cur!osity. Fear is based on what we think we know, while the latter is based on a desire to know more.
I've always been resistant to labelling, agreeing with your view that it can cause a biased response. But I feel differently about the idea of "Emerging". For once in my life, I like this label. It says the thing I have been searching for, and I think it is going to last me a number of years. I'll let you know when I am tired of it.
I'm may have mystic inclinations, I may spell God "G-d" sometimes, I may make up words just to confuse, but I am filled up with ideas, to many to mention, and I am glad for a container for them, for now.
For some fun, here are 2 shots across our bows from Evangelical Gangstas Pyromaniacs:
Tag
Well, I see myself as "emergent", because I identify with many emergents, but when I interact with other spiritual people and just say that I see myself as an "innovative thinker". The whole "emergent" and "postmodern" label is a stumbling block for many good people who could benefit immensely (and relate to) from the "emerging" teachings and books and resources available.
I agree with Nick, I like the label, though. Possibly because the word "Christian" has become utterly repugnant these days.
Ha ha
Hee hee, those were great Nic.
Estelle I disagree that the word "Christian" has become repugnant. It's repugnant to some, but not to others (I know plenty of people who are not Christian who don't see 'Christian' as a bad thing, and know that all Christians are different anyway).
Likewise, I am adult enough to know that there are different 'emergents' or 'emerging' Christians, and not all of them are the same. I think we just have to measure a situation in context, I suppose. Sometimes a label may be helpful (as Nic suggests) and other times it isn't helpful. It probably depends on where we are and who we're talking to.
Me, I feel limited by calling myself 'emerging' or 'evangelical' for a number of different reasons so I'll probably still stay away from a label...
www.ryanpeterwrites.com
"The Glory of God is man fully alive" - St Iraneaus
Good point
That's a good point. I'm probably more bitter than some because I do work for the Kerkbode...
mmm a world of boxes
I hope all has at least seen one episode or heard the opening song for the program weeds. "Little boxes, tiny boxes..." If you have the song probably stuck for a good couple of days. In any way.
We live in a world where people still need labels/boxes to sort the world into. Just like the Bible have different books and different categories, so society in general needs some sort of label or guidance as to where something fits. The conversation and movement it creates is called emergent, fine by me, but the people involved isn't the movement itself, we are catalysts for where it is going. Maybe that is where the problem comes in. If you are connected to an organisation or movement, we want to call people by the name of the organization instead of focussing on the individual. A box or label is only limiting if you let it be.
If all else fails, you are just not loud enough
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