Bob to Doug: Take Off Hoser!

After attending the debate last night between Bob Dewaay and Doug Pagitt, I'm afraid I still don't know anything about the Emergent Chuch, probably because there isn't supposed to be anything to "know."  Doug Pagitt got up first and gave eleven very vague points that summed up his "beliefs" and then qualified them by saying that "Not everybody in the EC is necessarily going to agree with all of these points and that's okay."  According to Pagitt the EC is:

1. Kingdom of God focused and wants to join the Kingdom of God wherever we find it.  (Most likely in a Starbucks judging by...never mind.)
2. Pursuing faithfulness through new practices, structures, and understanding.  (Because the old way is soooo first century.)
3. A hopeful and positive view of God's engagement with the world.  (As opposed to the negative view of those who believe God actually spoke authoritatively.)
4. Committed to loving God, neighbor, and enemy in "real" ways.  (As opposed to the fake ways of those who have a high view of Scripture I guess.)
5. "Deeply" connected to the story of God and the Bible.  (Funny, I didn't hear him quote God or the Bible once.)
6. Living with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  (Whatever that means.)
7. Theologically active.  (Active in resisting any kind of theological truth.)
8. Open to the "other."  (Unless the "other" starts quoting Scripture.)
9. Wants the good news of Jesus to change the world and be good news for all creation.  (Whatever that good news may be for you.)
10. Understanding community to be an essential part of the Christian life.  (Especially if it's a community of people who don't care to know any kind of truth.)
11. Interested in the future more than fighting battles of the past.  (Blah, blah, blah)

Then Bob Dewaay gets up there and starts spitting out truth like a Pez dispenser.  He gave an example from Acts about how Paul dealt with people who weren't interested in truth.  He talked about how we are accountable for the truth that God has spoken to us in Scripture and that we will not be able to claim ignorance because we didn't know there was any such thing as truth.  He clearly explained that there is one way of salvation, not multiple ideas cooked up in our imagination that are just as valid, and that we are bound by it.  It sounded much like a conversation between a Christian and Deepak Chopra, but sadly, the guy playing the part of Deepak was also a Christian. 

Overall it was pretty one-sided and I could only stand to stick around for the first hour or so.  I can see how much of the EC would appeal to some people, especially people who have a low view of Scripture, like having their imaginations and ideas raised to the same level as God's authoritative words, and enjoy growing little patches of hair under their lower lip.  But unfortunately I have a very high view of Scripture, I have a good idea of how wicked I am, and I don't like facial hair or coffee so I just don't think I would fit in.

As for Bob Dewaay, he just made my hero list last night.  He got up there and just hammered away with Scripture after Scripture to the point where I kind of felt bad for the other guys.  I think I'm going to have to head over to Twin City Fellowship one of these Sundays so I can hear him preach.

(Click here for exclusive audio from last night's debate)

Comments

[Jim]

So, you got to see/hear the "debate", eh? Sounds like it was pretty anticlimatic. I expected it would be. Pagitt doesn't impress much when one reads his blog or his books. Comes across as very arrogant.

[LuAnn]

The first entry summed up how the debate transpired well. My concern was for all the young people that attend an Emergent Church. The education system has made the educational "experience" the main focus. If 2 + 2 = 5 and you feel really good about that, that is a good answer for you.
Now these kids go to church and hear the same thing about "feeling good". They need to hit the truth! Pastor Bob presented that!

[An]

What has happened to exclusive audio by Bob Deway and Doug Pagitt. Since January I have had no success in opening up the file. I keep getting a "darkside" file that lasts only a few seconds.

I am really interested in hearing this. I have periodically come back to your site to try it and to no success.

[Micah]

I'm sorry, it's supposed to be a joke. Probably not a very good one. (Check out the movie "Strange Brew.")

I think you can order a CD of the debate on Bob Dewaay's website: www.twincityfellowship.com

[Paul Tilley]

Funny how people can view the same thing from totally different perspectives. Alas I Can have no respect for anyone, especially a so called leader, who attacks other members of the family and then allowing others to cheer such a comment (Catholic bashing).

[Micah J.L.]

I have no idea what you just said.

[Suzie B.]

Greetings! I just tripped into this blog as I was looking at links about Pastor Bob DeWaay to find out more about the person who supposedly uttered this statement: "The Bible's theme is about redemption and atonement, not finding meaning and solving problems." Huh??? That statement threw me for a loop. I have no idea what Pastor DeWaay preaches, but from Paul's comment above, I would take a gander that someone in a Protestant church leadership position (a pastor perhaps?) said something negative about the Catholic faith, and that's what Paul was referring to (not being able to respect leaders who "bash" other faiths) since we are all one big human family with different religious and spiritual beliefs. Have you read Howard Storm's book, "My Descent Into Death"?

[Micah L.]

No, I have never read Howard Storm's book. Tell me about it.