For a while now one of the big critiques of the emerging church from scholars has been that it lacks a robust or thoughtful engagement with Paul. And let’s be honest, as postmoderns we really do gravitate towards the narratives of Jesus more than the somewhat more abstract theology of Paul. In my own ministry I probably preach/teach on Jesus over Paul something like 15:1. Not that a heavy emphasis on Jesus is bad! Far from it. I think we’re long overdue on returning to the teachings of Jesus in many of our churches! Looking back I would guess that I got a lot more Paul than I did Jesus growing up in the churches where my faith was really formed. But that being said, we’ve probably let the pendulum swing pretty far towards the gospels and have neglected the writings of Paul… at least I know I have.
I don’t see this as a Jesus vs. Paul kind of thing, but you definitely get different things from each of them (even if Paul is constantly pointing to Jesus). Maybe it’s just a preference for the concreteness of narrative over the abstractness of Paul’s letters, but as a movement we’d do well to really engage Paul and dig into his Epistles. To ignore his letters or to teach from them so rarely does a disservice to our people and to our own understanding of the faith.
Some emerging church leaders are taking this critique seriously and along with my Alma Matter they have put together a conference on the emerging church and Paul. It will be held at a well known church in the emerging church landscape, Jacob’s Well. Can I just say, way to go NTS! I’m proud of us.
This is also the 2008 Emegent Village Theological Conversation. Not to mention that my wife, Kara, will be moderating one of the sessions! So if you’re in Kansas City next week, check it out, it’s not too late to register.
Charlie,
Firstly, greetings! I hope you are doing well, and thanks for the post[s].
I was not aware of critiques of the emerging conversation for not engaging Paul. Any pointers to these texts?
I thought the title, “Reclaiming Paul,” was in response to the fact that some of the most original and creative work on Paul (and some may think this is bad, not good) has been done by continental philosophers. I was under the impression that this was a theological attempt to reclaim Paul from the philosophers. I am sure since Kara is moderating, you would know the purpose of the event, so I am not challenging you here.
I guess in addition to my question, I think it would be foolish not to engage these philosophers. I just got Badiou’s book on St. Paul on Monday, and it is very interesting so far.
Hey Thomas, I’m not sure if I could point to any texts criticizing the emerging church for the lack of engagement with Paul, but I have come across that sentiment on blogs here and there and in conversation with some scholars, like our own Andy Johnson. I don’t have the impression that theological philosophy was the aim of the conference but more so Biblical scholarship on Paul meeting the church (especially the emerging church).
Charlie,
Thanks for clarification, and I want to clarify what I meant: I in no way meant theological philosophy, since I have looked at the schedule of papers – which are presented by scripture scholars, but I was simply wondering about how to make sense of the “reclaiming” part, and I thought the “claiming” of Paul by philosophy might be behind it (though it seems I am wrong). Now that I look at the paper titles, I see a focus on narrative in every single paper but one – which is Gorman’s “Invitation.” I hope you post some reflections on the conference, since I will not be able to make it.
Peace,
Thomas
By the way, I like the new look of the blog.
I actually can’t afford to go, so we’ll have to get the report from Kara.
Yeah – the price is not cheap!
In australia the churches here hardly ever come from jesus teachings but are always in paul.. i wish we had more jesus in church.