An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches

… Our entusiastic recommendation that An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches be picked up, read and pondered deeply.

…is both a defense of, and a challenge to, the contemporary emerging church. Anderson does not allow the post modern context to overwhelm his theology and become the catalyst for praxis: instead he shows how the emerging church develops an emergent theology within a post-modern context.

… a must-read for church planters, leaders of churches, and crafters of new movements and/or denominations.

“It is a refreshing thing to witness biblical diligence and intellectualinsightfulness become ignited by the flame of Pentecost. Ray Anderson verifies the fact that the truly contemporary church will ultimately transcend the mere ‘currency’ so passionately sought by leaders whose anxious pursuit centers on being ‘up-to-the-minute,’ savvy culturally, tuned to the ‘hip’ or ‘cool.’ Here’s a book on the timelessly contemporary, pointing us toward truth that unlocks the timeless–the eternal dimensions of God’s Spirit at work.”

“Through his examination of the emerging church at Antioch in the first century, Ray Anderson has provided a great deal of theological wisdom and insight for proponents of the emerging church at the beginning of the third millennium. This is an important contribution to the ongoing conversation concerning the place and shape of theology in the emerging church that deserves a wide readership, particularly among those who identify themselves with the movement.”

“Ray Anderson has significantly influenced many emerging leaders over the years with his adventurous and innovative theological teaching. With An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches, he makes his important work available to many more people. This is a powerful and insightful book that will, I have no doubt, stand the test of time. It will be a go-to book for emerging leaders for years to come.”

“Ray Anderson has created a gift for the church in An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches. I wish I had the benefit of Ray’s provocative, insightful, helpful thinking in the early days of starting our church. I recommend this book to all who are interested in the biblical roots of emerging church theology today. This book will serve as an inspiration and guide for many who are seeking to live the hopes and dreams of God in our world today.”

“The most important questions about the emerging church are not what the worship gatherings look like, what the music is like or whether the name of the church is different and cool. The most important questions are what the theology is behind what is happening in and among emerging churches. Ray has written a wonderful book which does exactly this.”

“Our shifting times call for a thoughtful, creative, constructive and faithful approach to theology; most importantly, one that stirs outreach activity similar to that which surrounded Paul and the church at Antioch. I’ve been around the emerging church movement from the inception, and to my knowledge, An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches shows emerging practitioners how to anchor church innovation to biblical theology–both historic and eschatological–better than anything I know.”

“Well-informed and gracious, Ray Anderson’s voice makes an important contribution to the emergent conversation. This book will be a blessing for anyone seeking to become ‘a new kind of Christian.’”

Ray S. Anderson (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has written many books, including Judas and Jesus: Amazing Grace for the Wounded Soul, The Soul of God: A Theological Memoir and The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis.

Brian McLaren is founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Baltimore-Washington region. He is the author of numerous books including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy and Finding Our Way Again.