A way forward for Christianity

Meditation while listening to music is widespread. Wordless music, both vocal and non-vocal, is a further means of deepening spiritual experience outside of language. Unfortunately, in church communities it is used almost always for listening only. While that can be very beneficial, there is a largely overlooked spiritual potential awaiting development in active congregational music-making without words.

Panentheism: God in all, all in God

Emerging churches are developing a new theology. They tend to reject theism, the notion of God as an external entity. They also reject pantheism, which deems everything to be God. Instead they tend towards panentheism, the idea that God is in all and that all is in God. From this viewpoint the world is a sacrament. Matthew Fox, one of the prime movers of emergent Christianity, writes: "The sacramental consciousness of panentheism develops into a transparent and diaphanous consciousness wherein we can see events and beings as divine." (Original Blessing, p90) As well as urging us to seek God in everyday life, panentheism leads to a passionate concern for our ecosystem in the widest sense. If God is in all and all is in God, we cannot take an anthropocentric attitude towards the natural environment of which we are one part without pitting ourselves against God. God is both circumference and centre.

Inclusion: Love rather than moralism

Rather than try to read the bible literally and use it as a book of rules, emerging churches try to reflect on the scriptures in the light of today's understanding of science, history, language, metaphor and narrative. This practice soon eliminates any foundation for shunning homosexuality or refusing to admit females to the priesthood. Such a reading of the Bible also undermines any claim that evolutionary theory is contrary to the Word of God.

The emerging churches affirm that love is Lord and so people of all types, regardless of colour and sexuality, are equally embraced by this love. These communities also often reach out to people of different faiths and find commonalities to celebrate with them. Differences in worldviews of various faiths do not indicate that non-Christians are unable to make sound ethical judgements or to be friendly citizens contributing to the general community.

The same applies to those of no religion. Indeed, as the Anglican Archbishop of Perth stated to the news media in 2010: "Christians need to remind themselves that those who do not profess the Christian faith are still capable of adopting an ethical and moral framework which assists in public policy decision making for the common good. Any statement which portrays the Christian faith has having some type of exclusivity to be the sole arbiters on matters of moral integrity and just policy making, is unhelpful and untrue. The mission for Christ's church in humility is to embrace believers and non-believers alike."

Emerging churches generally do not fear those within their ranks who argue for different directions in theology. For most, if not all, heresy is an outmoded concept. For example, the Dean of St George's Cathedral in Perth (Western Australia) conducts a regular seminar called "Heretics Anonymous" for all those thus inclined, giving a context for open discussion of diverse viewpoints.

The Future of Christianity

Luke Timothy Johnson suggests that esoteric religious life that does not find a home within an exoteric structure becomes trivial and transient. I am inclined to concur, but believe Johnson is mistaken when he concludes that exoteric religion has virtually extinguished the vitality generated by the esoteric within its institutions, and that the secular tide will now bury the religious institutions themselves.

Instead I see emerging churches growing roots within their host institutions for the spiritual nourishment of their people. The other side of the coin is that, although the slow pace may try the patience of the faithful, exoteric religion is responding: it is changing and will increasingly nurture their spirituality.

There is ample ground for hope that the Church will adapt, grow and endure within the secular world. We will have what John Spong advocates: A New Christianity for a New World.