I have always enjoyed reading and listening to John MacArther--and I will still enjoy to do so--but I find his article far too narrow to be sincerely considered. Grouping an entire movement of sorts into three names does not do justice to the emergent church movement. I realize the article was only intended to be brief, but I feel that MacArther has done himself more harm than good by his narrow cynicism. I also find his ecclesiology very narrow and somewhat off base.

Your link to more feedback on this article isn't working. I get an error when I go to:

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MacArthur has no more or no less authority to provide spiritual advice than the worst sinner in the worst human condition. If the intent of this article is to seek out truth, then you should interview one that shares the same testimony and experience of Christians of the first century.

His speaks for and to the doomed—blind rhetoric—messages that has no power. His and many other religious expert’s, theologians, writings—powerless exegesis, have explained the saving and recreating power of the Holy Ghost out of salvation. And, however, maintain their influence, popularity, and prestige in this traditional church-world system.

It is the “blind leading the blind,” and no amount of academic or theological training is a remedy for this condemnation. These are “blind guides” leading millions, if not, billions to ultimate DITCH because of their pride, shame, and rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ways of God are spiritual. It defies academics.

MacArthur as well as others are not inherently bad; they are possibly very good citizens of the community in which they live. Righteousness is not predicated on good acts or decent behavior of professing Christians. No one has or ever will enter the kingdom of God because of a righteous act. It is based on the spiritual state and condition of the individual, justification—if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

Jesus Christ states plainly that many would do many wonderful works, but he will say unto them in judgment depart from me I never knew you unauthorized workers. It is the Spirit that authorizes righteousness, not accomplishments. Good fruit bearing followers duplicating their own kind—true Christians—are the branches connected to the true Vine.

The world dominating traditional church whether catholic or protestant have withheld the truth of God in unrighteousness for too long. Biblical scholars and religious institution have held hostage the word of God for nearly seventeen centuries. The crowning of Christianity by Constantine led truth to heresy and heresy to truth. Today, the whole church system is now unchurched, except for a remnant of believers as prophesied by John on the Isle of Patmos of Laodicea. Christ is on the outside.

Those who know the voice of the Lord and are not a shame of his word, listen! It is the Spirit that gives life, and if any man has the Spirit he has a witness on the inside. It is impossible to be saved—a Christian—without the Holy Ghost; and it is impossible to have the Holy Ghost without evidence; and the only evidence recorded in scripture accompanying anyone receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. It is your confession, not the Sinner’s Prayer, which is Billy Sundaism!

Paul states in Romans 10, for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation—tongues are your confession. Otherwise, we only profess salvation if the Spirit does not witness this new birth. This is not traditional or emerging church theology. This is the Pentecost message, passed down by the disciples of Jesus Christ. He or she that hath an ear let them hear!

Macarthur certainly does not mince words, but I think he is calling a spade a spade here. There are many things to be concerned about in the Emerging/Emergent church movement- most notably their emphasis on mystery and the uncertainty of truth.

Yes, Macarthur's comments are strong and maybe even a bit strident. But I think the more important question is whether they are true. Macarthur gives us all a clarion "wake-up call" on the watering down of truth so as to appeal to lost man. If we continue down this slippery slope the church itself will soon be post-Christian.

In response to the previous post, Doug Paggit is one of the "founders" of the Emerging/Emergent church movement. Go to his website and see what he has written. He is clearly part and parcel of what this movement is about.

If he does not represent the mainstream beliefs of what other emerging/emergent church pastors believe, I would
call upon these leaders to denounce him and his teachings publicly.

I don't know Doug Pagitt but if he is a universalist as MacArthur claims, then he is not a part of the emerging/emergent movement of the Christian church. He may claim to be a Christian and claim to be a part of the emerging/emergent church but if he's a universalist, then he's not. Its a strawman argument to make sweeping generalizations about the emerging/emergent church based on the beliefs or actions of somebody who is not even a part of it.

Additionally, this is the second article I've seen on Crosswalk in the last few weeks that gets it wrong when it comes to Willow Creek's Reveal resarch study. Critics of seeker churches are claiming that the Reveal study shows seeker churches got it wrong. That's false. The reveal study showed and Hybels admits their strategy for discipleship has been flawed, but the study also shows the seeker strategy has exceptionally successful when it comes to evangelism.