by Rev. Eric Elnes
Since I started writing about Convergence Christianity on this blog (here and here), and speaking about on our program and at the Wild Goose Festival, there has been a surprising amount of interest from the Christian Community. In response to this interest, Darkwood Brew is holding a special 90-minute world-wide conversation on Convergence Christianity on Sunday, August 19th, 6pm EST/5pm CST. Brian McLaren will be our special guest, who posted an excellent article on Convergence Christianity at the Patheos.com blog this morning. Both Brian and I will describe developments we’re seeing and their implications for Christianity and the church. We’ll also be fielding questions and taking comments from our live internet audience as well as folks in the studio. I hope you can join us for what promises to be a watershed moment at Darkwood Brew!
A couple people have asked me if Convergence Christianity is part of something they’ve found on the internet called the “Convergence Movement.” In a word, No. As far as I can tell, the “Convergence Movement” was a term used a few years ago by a handful evangelical and charismatic Christian leaders as part of a call churches back to their roots in early Christianity that did not take hold. (If I’m wrong, please correct me.)
What people like myself, Brian McLaren, Frank Schaeffer, and Phyllis Tickle are talking about when we use the term Convergence Christianity is a phenomenon primarily among post-evangelical and post-liberal Christians who have left their native traditions behind – or remain within them but have let go of what they consider to be the “baggage” of their traditions – and are now discovering each other out in the wilderness. They’re finding that each group has gifts to share that the other has been yearning for, and minus the baggage, these folks are great fun and inspiring to be with.
What follows is twelve characteristics of what I’m finding at the grassroots which I identify with Convergence Christianity. I’ve shared my list with Brian, as well as Phyllis Tickle, Frank Schaeffer, and Diana Butler Bass, and they tell me it accurately reflects what they are seeing as well. These characteristics fall under three general categories which some call The Three Great Loves: Love of God, Love of Neighbor, and Love of Self. For each characteristic, I have identified something these communities generally are letting go of, and the new reality they generally are embracing. By saying “generally,” I mean that not all communities are exactly alike. Some share more of this common ground than others. I believe the time is coming when these twelve attributes will be part of what is considered the new “guiding source of attraction” by adherents of many communions.
What I find particularly intriguing about this new reality is that it is providing a substantial foundation of common ground not only between Christians who have previously been on opposite ends of the theological spectrum, but between adherents of many faiths. Certain Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and other communities on the fringes of their traditions are discovering that they share more in common with each other than with the more resistant strands of their own traditions. Even though the framing beliefs of these communities remain distinct from one another, their core values are looking increasingly similar. While adherents claim to feel more Christian, or Buddhist, or Jewish than ever, they are finding more solidarity with one another than ever before. They seem to be moving toward a similar “sweet spot,” one that integrates similar core values within the differing beliefs that frame those values.
Love of God
(1) They are letting go of the notion that their particular faith is the only legitimate one on the planet. They are embracing an understanding that God is greater than our imagination can comprehend (or fence in), and thus they are open to the possibility that God may speak within and across all faith traditions.
(2) They are letting go of literal and inerrant interpretations of their sacred texts while celebrating the unique treasures that their texts contain. They are embracing a more ancient, prayerful, non-literal approach to these same texts, and finding new insights and resources as they do so.
(3) They are letting go of the notion that people of faith are called to dominate nature. They are embracing a more organic and reverent understanding of human relationship with the earth.
(4) They are letting go of empty worship conventions and an overemphasis on doctrines as tools of division and exclusion. They are embracing more diverse, creative, engaging approaches, often making strong use of the arts.
Love of Neighbor
(5) They are letting go of a narrow definition of sexual orientation and gender identity. They are embracing with increasing confidence an understanding that affirms the dignity and worth of all people.
(6) They are letting go of an understanding that people of faith should only interest themselves in the “spiritual” well-being of people. They are embracing a more holistic understanding that physical and spiritual well-being are related.
(7) They are letting go of the desire to impose their particular vision of faith on wider society. They are embracing the notion that their purpose is to make themselves more faithful adherents of their vision of faith.
(8) They are letting go of the old rivalries between “liberal, moderate, and conservative” branches of their faith. They are embracing a faith that transcends these very definitions.
Love of Self
(9) They are letting go of notions of the afterlife that are dominated by judgment of “unbelievers.” They are embracing an understanding that, as God’s creations, God is eternally faithful to us, and that all people are loved far more than we can comprehend.
(10) They are letting go of the notion that faith and science are incompatible. They are embracing the notion that faith and science can serve as allies in the pursuit of truth, and that God values our minds as well as our hearts.
(11) They are letting go of the notion that one’s work and one’s spiritual path are unrelated. They are embracing an understanding that rest and recreation, prayer and reflection, are as important as work, and that our work is a “calling” and expression of our “sweet spot.”
(12) They are letting go of old hierarchies that privilege religious leaders over laypeople. They are embracing an understanding that all people have a mission and purpose in life in response to the call of the Holy Spirit. It’s no longer about who wears the robes but who lives the life.
What are your feelings after reading this list? Does it describe your faith?
Hi Eric, great post and I’ve cross-posted on my Facebook page and Twitter. All the best and Hi to Brian when you do the show! This is great and I’m so pleased to be in the loop on your very needed and timely Convergence Christianity launch… Best, Frank
There may be hope for religion yet to become a positive force rather than a divisive, deadening and deadly one. Only time will tell.
Sounds very much like the writings of J. Philip Newell, scholar of Celtic Christianity. Just attended his seminar at Ghost Ranch Conference Center, based on his book “A New Harmony.” Are you familiar with him?
This definitely reflects my beliefs and some of my struggles with the current “Church” structure. I currently walk in the space between laity and clergy. I am a lay leader (eligible to be licensed) I have spent many years serving churches in both paid and unpaid positions…I am discerning whether or not seminary is where God is calling me. I have to admit I am …..(not sure what word fits) frustrated…. disillusioned…with denominationalism. Even though as far as denominations go, mine is not too bad (UCC. I am tired of everyone pointing out what makes us different….I tend to look for what we have in common.
I think there’s an impression that faith and science are not compatible and that impression comes mostly from the media. I’d like to see a stronger emphasis on personal transformation and personal holiness and practice. If we don’t workout spiritually, we will become spiritually flabby and useless. The idea of Jesus being one of many ways sounds like it could be contradictory to Jesus’ teachings. If he wasn’t referring to himself, then who was he speaking of? On a positive note, if the different factions of the Church can find common ground, there is great power in it and much good can come from it.
David, thanks for your reply. Regarding Jesus being “one of many ways,” I would encourage you to check out our last series, called “The Faith of Jesus in a Pluralistic World.” It takes your question quite seriously and treats it in depth. When Jesus says in John 14 that “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” is there only one way to interpret this statement? Is it even the best way (“best” being the way Jesus himself would have interpreted it)? We spend six weeks engaging with this statement and others, exploring both the Old and New Testaments for answers, drawing upon some of the best theologians and biblical scholars as guides for our journey.
I often think that the Divine is soooo reasonable, while men/women are NOT always so. I wonder what interferes with our ability to reason clearly. Could it be OURSELVES? When we choose to truly ‘love our neighbor as ourselves’ our EGO is orientated as it was created to be, Eden is restored and we are reconciled to the Divine.
The way of the world is based on SELF. Primarily on the FAMILY construct. NOT your family, MY family. Virtually every man/woman in the world rationalizes what they do as being good because it’s for THEIR family.
EGO constructs that attempt to help us cope with the FEAR of certain punishment for our evil ways.
OMG! absolutely, this describes where i am – thank you for this!
candi
http://sexNspirit.wordpress.com
So often we argue over “What did Jesus really say?” With so many Gospels there is a predictable pattern, statement being formed by these writers —- however, taking a clue from Mother Teresa, it was not what she said it was what she did. I kind of like that as a guide when thinking about Jesus. To discover and recall what Christ really did on Earth during his short life. That is my guide. That is the direction for my life. That I believe is the true direction to be able to understand and celebrate where Christianity as a faith practice can take us into the 21st Century and beyond. Its not about words. Everyone has words, either using them to exclude or include, love or hate. I think it is about actions. Christ asks us to observe his short life and follow, as reconfirmed by Mother Teresa’s long life. God bless them both always.
It describes my faith, all except the Christian part- I am NeoPagan. It is very often true of people of other faiths, as well. Perhaps it should be called onvergence Faith.
Whenever I encounter this question about Jesus being only one way, I think of the place in John’s gospel where Jesus talks about having many folds and recognizing that I don’t know what that means … except that members of those other “folds” may well look extremely different from me and those with whom I worship …..
This is quite an interesting list. However, it seems very difficult to justify the term “Christianity” for what should probably simply be described as Convergence, or Convergence Faith.
I have a number of comments but the sheer amount of information presented requires me to do so in some order so I’ll reply to each of your points in turn.
1)To be a Christian you at the very least must follow the teachings of Christ and he makes it quite clear that he is “…the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So, you can not be a Christian if you give up the notion of religious exceptionalism.
The Bible teaches that God is greater than we can understand so you’re good there.
But, it very clearly explains that seeking “truths” from other faiths that contradict Biblical truth is akin to worshiping other gods and violates the ten commandments. Since Jesus said that “…till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” It’s very clear he wouldn’t truck with throwing out the Ten Commandments.
2) So they’re discarding the Bible as their sacred text and adding what they feel is appropriate from other faiths? Then at least have the dignity and honesty to pick a new name for your new religion. It’s no longer Christianity.
3)The belief in man’s domination of nature was never truly Biblical, the Bible called us to be stewards of nature, a steward does not rape and pillage his own vineyard for that last drop of profit.
4) This point isn’t even particularly clear except perhaps that they are changing worship practices and being more inclusive? Except I’m convinced that’s not all it means to you.
5) The dignity and worth of all people is affirmed in a literal reading of the Bible, however, it’s impossible to read the Bible and then join a group that says it’s OK to just do whatever you want sexually and still call yourself a Christian honestly.
6) The Bible doesn’t teach that people should only be interested in other peoples spiritual well-being. In fact it very definitely says that we should take care of the poor, and the sick, and the lame.
7) Again, this doesn’t fit with any form of Christianity as it requires you to throw out the “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” part of Jesus’s teachings.
8) This is also gibberish nonsense except that it implies so connection to transcendence or transcendentalist thought. If so, it fails at being Christian as well as Christ clearly did not teach that all men were good and that it was organizations that corrupted man, that simply isn’t Biblical in the slightest.
9) We are loved more than we can comprehend, as far as the “after-life” goes. The Biblical stance, and Jesus’s stance as well, on the afterlife is the following “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.” So there is no after-life, as such, for a Christian. Christianity instead promises the resurrection of the dead, and eventual eternal bliss for the saved, only after Jesus comes again in the clouds of glory.
10) The idea that faith and science are incompatible is something that only evolutionists prattle on about. Christians never do. Historians generally don’t either as they know that most of the great scientists of ages past have all been religious of one stripe or another, often Christian and often very religious.
11) This is also rather odd and filled with jargon. But is basically an ok belief unless one of those terms means more than it appears to.
12) This seems rather appropriate and Biblical, but ultimately in any group you have leaders and followers from natural aptitudes. However, emphasizing religious hierarchies in and of itself is not un-Christian.
Over all, any group that held with all of these points should not be calling themselves Christians as they have abandoned Christ’s teachings.
Hi Eric,
I really appreciate this post and learning about ‘Convergence Christianity’ (something I had not heard of before). The views you articulate here are consistent with my own beliefs (which I have attempted to explain here: http://wp.me/pW5tC-p2 . Will try to participate in Sunday’s conversation. Thanks!
I like your list a lot. However, it seems mostly to indicate what people coming from the conservative side are giving up. What more can you say about what folks coming from the liberal side (like me) are giving up for the sake of this convergence? If conservatives have to give up their literalist readings that reject historical method, maybe liberals will have to give up their embrace of historical method to attain “truth”. Maybe convergence/emergence will mean dealing with the text of Scripture as it is, not as it relates or not to someone’s hypotheses about historicity.
As a minister in what would be considered New Thought (Unity), I am very grateful to have been guided to this site and these twelve statements. I resonate with all of them. #9 feels unfinished, but that may be just me. I’ll continue to work with it, and with all of them. Thanks very much — and blessings!