You may not remember me, but you did a weekly Bible Study with me, and another intern named Joe at the Cosi on Capitol Hill in the summer of 2004. I saw this series blow up on twitter, and had one of those "I know that guy" moments.

I sensed in those studies that you both were strong doctrinally, but wanted deeply to find a better method than those traditional Christianity offered to pursue God's mission for us. I'm both sad to see that you went the emergent path, and overjoyed that you have seen truth after all.

Keep on loving truth. Be enthralled with truth. It is the truth that will set you free, not story. This is a great blog series that mixes humility with courage so well. I'm now a deacon at a church plant in N Va. Thanks for showing gospel courage. I hope it bears fruit.

Yours Respectfully,

Shayne McAllister

I admit much of the "emergent is dead/heretical" claims going around the net seem a little premature and disingenuous to me– but I also realize that as someone merely at the edges of the evangelical world (for the most part) and with greater experience of how this conversation, and its "generous orthodoxy" is actually revitalizing and, in some ways theologically GROUNDING some of the more liberal mainline denominations- though still in a liberative, deeply community/grassroots and honest way, I'm a little less worried. Of course, many of my traditions produced ideas like process thought, liberation theology, (and in the case of Catholics, a more universal, though still Christocentric view of salvation since the 60's) and other streams of theology which evoke aspects of some of the things that I suspect are concerning you. What I find interesting is the way that, as a form of deep, but also broad ECCUMENICISM, the emerging/emergent movement is helping to stimulate conversations across time, space and politics in ways I find healthy.

For example, the Episcopal Church, in its historic theological diversity is no stranger to one community holding many diverse ideas — ideas some other traditions might even be more prone to heresy trials or challenges of. Personally, for all its freedom I also see the downsides and risks of this, especially today as people spin off on MANY directions, or there is no clear common center — not to mention where disagreements over scripture and sexuality (things I feel Mclaren wrestles honestly with, though I look forward to your comments) are splitting the church.

For me, Emergence thought pushes us all outside our theological boundaries, into conversation and, hopefully greater integration. The BIGGEST thing for me is not anyone thinker, thrust or theme– but the broader FAITH that this isn't just a theological endeavor, but a movement of God's Spirit which is forcing churches, denominations and communities to look outside themselves, learn from their neighbors and forbears in honest, genuine ways, and see us all as part of God's bigger Kingdom. Phyllis Tickle's "Great Emergence" sums this up magnificently, including a "fountain" image of traditions swirling and mixing in some places, yet maintaining their identities, roots and, in all fairness a good number of people who just aren't interested in the conversation. (she works from some pretty respected ecclesialogical models around for a few decades now, encourage you to actually look at her work if you haven't yet for a more mainline perspective, though broad take on the movement)

I've been, in my time here deeply influenced by folks in the Friends (Quaker, though the term is somewhat pejorative to some), Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Episcopal and numerous evangelical traditions, all who see themselves as part of the conversation and part of a broader movement of Christ's mission. Its breathing new life into communities and whole churches, and generating unexpected partnerships on the ground.

I encourage you to honestly engage with some of the "big names" of Emergent/emerging thought– but also be mindful of just how BIG this conversation has gotten denominationally. Ilook forward to hearing from you, and also bringing some of my own denominational heritage and theology into the conversation.

Also, while I can see where you might be going with some of your theological critiques, the one about emergent folk denying 'the deity of Christ' seems absolutely base-less. Brian devotes several chapters in his ANKoC to defending the Incarnation and Deity of Jesus, showing how important it is not only that Christ is God-like, but how God is Christ-like.

Here's my take on some of these matters. I look forward to continuing to read yours!