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Through the looking glass: LeRon Shults

First off, I have to say that every time I see LeRon’s name, I think of L. Ron Hubbard, the Scientology guy…sorry LeRon, it’s only because of the phonetics, no other similarity at all.

Ok, so on to what I really like. This was tipped off from Way out West

LeRon Shults on the Emerging Church and Deconstruction

Constantinian churches don’t like being surprised. They like being in control, and so their engagements with the “other” and the “unknown” tend to look more like colonization than open exploration. ET [Emergent Types] are willing to give up the need to predict the outcome of every encounter with absolute certainty. In fact, they kind of get a kick out of the shocking discoveries that emerge during the journey itself. Allowing for deconstructive moments within philosophy and theology is one way to open oneself to such surprises, and even to delight in them as they facilitate real transformation.

… from a response written for the 2007 Emergent Theological Conversation… ht to Pete Rollins

I have never heard that phrase before: Constantinian churches - oh man would that piss of our established church. LOL..which has a strange sort of appeal to it actually.

I think his observations about ET are absolutely RIGHT ON and exactly what I feel and what I have observed about (in particular but not limited to) under 40 postmodern Christ followers who I have been in contact with.

[tags]emergent, emerging, LeRon Shults, Way out West[/tags]

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7 Comments

  1. Paul — March 5, 2007 #

    I always think of L Ron H too :)

  2. Ari — March 5, 2007 #

    I’m glad I’m not the only one hehe

  3. Phillip Ross — March 5, 2007 #

    The term “Constantinian churches” is related to Erastianism, the belief that the church should be subordinated to the state, as opposed to a separate jurisdiction. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erastianism

    Phil

  4. Ari — March 5, 2007 #

    that’s interesting Phillip, I’ll have to study that out a bit more and see what Shults has to say :)

  5. Adrian — March 6, 2007 #

    Wow that sounds like a quote I read yesterday from a guy named Dave (sorry I don’t have it with me).
    I’ll get it and try and remember to give it.

  6. LeRon — March 22, 2007 #

    Yes, I get that (L. Ron) a lot, but not as much as “Leon” or “Leroy.” But I don’t mind. Other members of my family (from west Texas) have names like Yadel, Cletis, Quata, Gurly… so I’m not complaining! ;)

  7. Mak — March 29, 2007 #

    LeRon - - Cletis! Every time I hear that name I think of the Simpsons. My dad’s name is LeRoy but you have to say it L’Roy if you’re going say it the Minnesota dairy farmer way.

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