Hi my name is Logen Byrne. I am not what I call a real theologian, as in someone with a PHD, but I do have degrees in Bible, Theology & History. Just not PHD level. Most people don't know me cause I'm new to the blogosphere, thus the small amount of friends I have. Still, I'm hoping that if there is anyone on a similar journey to me that they will feel free to join in. You don't need to agree with anything, but feel free to read, comment or say anything you like.
We now have FOUR authors/contributors. I will probably post the most but I'm looking forward to these authors. I have a couple of more I'm working on. I'd love 6 but we'll go with 4 for now.
Emergence is a term that is hard to define but its kind of like the idea that with all that is going wrong in the church & in spirituality that something "new" is emerging.
I would say most of us don't like titles. Most of us can't be put in a box. Sometimes we are forced to use words to try to convey certain ideas about where we are at & where we are going spiritually. Nothing is perfect. So many words have baggage. One thing is for sure. All four current authors are ALL different & this should be fun. Hopefully it will catch on & help others & we'll have some comments but if not we will have fun trying.
RaVae Erickson is a good friend. She has posted already & she is introducing herself so I won't steal her thunder. Her & her husband Joel are really awesome people. We are so glad to have become friends with them recently. They are authentic but realize that somethings gotta give. They are true seekers of spirituality & true followers of Jesus.
Rachel Ellner is an actress/director, among other things, and has been a friend now since the early 90's. In fact I can say I knew her when she was a really cute kid :-) I really respect her spirituality. Her & I don't totally agree but that isn't the point of this blog. She is smart & well studied and even though she may not identify as a Christian I am really excited that she is willing to take part. She feels that there are many divine ascended people including Christ. I am thrilled to have her story & beliefs in the mix.
Taylor Henderson is a university student studying Criminal Justice (looking to join the FBI)
in Southern Cal. We've also known each other about as long as I've known Rachel. She would probably be in the middle between RaVae & Rachel on spirituality and theology and beliefs. The three are a great mix. Taylor is for human & animal rights, she is well traveled, and is a big backer of Gay marriage & gay rights. She loves Jesus but also is a great lover of ALL people. I'm quite sure she is in the middle between them as I said. Yes that means she is also a Vegetarian.
I'm trying to recruit one more lady and one more guy to avoid the Charlie's Angels jokes!
I think one thing ALL contributors to this blog will have in common is our love for people and a genuine authentic desire to get to know the Divine Creator. We'll have some great blogs & some great conversation whether we agree or not. We just want everyone to feel comfortable to talk, to ask questions, to disagree BUT all hopefully in a civil loving way.
We love people and I think the goal of this blog could be summed up into helping those who want to follow Jesus do it authentically and be KNOWN by their LOVE!
Explaining Emergence or the Emergent Church is kind of like nailing jello to the wall so I wont try. It would be easier for you to read a few books first.
I would suggest this order too:
"Evolving in Monkey Town" by Rachel Held Evans
"A New Kind of Christianity" by Brian McLaren
(he also has a book out called a new kind of christian so don't confuse the two)
"Love Wins" by Rob Bell
Now I would admit that the first time I read McLaren for instance, I only agreed with about 25%. But that 25% I agreed with him on was LIFESAVING. I probably agree with him about 75% now. So no matter how much you agree or disagree I think you'll find him helpful.
The Emergent movement is NOT a liberal or conservative thing, though there may be more liberals than conservatives now. There is NO one set Emergent theology either. So being at the Emergent table doesn't really label you anything but someone who wants to follow Jesus "authentically" and be a disciple KNOWN by LOVE! It took me a few years to figure it out so I'll let you come to your own conclusions. Seems like words always have baggage & Emergent has picked up some. But hey so has "Christian" and we still use that.
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