Comments on: Spencer Burke, A Heretic’s Guide to Eternity, and Early Fallout

by: Zane Anderson

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 07:21:34 +0000

Spencer Burke is to be commended for replying. Brian McLaren seldom does despite his emphasis on the conversation.

Godspeed, brother.

by: michaelh

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 05:57:26 +0000

The metaphor of a two-way conversation is not mine, but rather Michael Beasley’s. I did send an email to Spencer Burke on July 19, but have not received a response back. If the emerging conversation is reduced to a series of emerging monologues where dissent is neither tolerated nor allowed, then we should drop all pretense of conversation.

Also, for what it’s worth, I don’t have any children. I’m one of those younger evangelicals that Rob Webber likes to talk so much about, except that I don’t fall neatly into his categories. Three or four years ago, I would have happily recommended people visit TheOoze and glean ministry ideas there. But things in my life have changed pretty radically, and I cannot identify with the emerging conversation in the same way I might have so willingly in the past. I know that it might be difficult - if not impossible - to accept that someone could have a legitimately different perspective and have legitimate concerns about the directions that people like Spencer Burke would like to take Christianity in.

But, to use Spencer’s analogy, now is the time when we, the younger evangelicals, are being handed the keys, given the chance to choose the route, with our spiritual elders waving us on. Are we going to drive off the road, careening off a cliff and into a crevasse? Or are we going to drive straight and true? I can’t speak for all the younger evangelicals, but I know what route I intend on following, even when people keep insisting that we take ill-advised detours.

by: spencer burke

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 04:43:37 +0000

I hope you take the opportunity to read the book for yourself and post your thoughts.

I do like your metaphor of a 2 way road for conversation. But that will mean there will be constant opposing traffic offering alternative routes to the same destination.

I am sure you would agree with Colson that books like “Mere Christianity” are great sources for dialogue and yet I don’t think you would have considered C.S. Lewis’ positions on heaven, hell and universalism as the litmus test for approved authors for your children.

I know and respect the road map of evangelicalism, and I want to travel together down the road of faith. I believe your children do too. The question I would pose is; when will you let them drive, how much freedom will you let them have in choosing the route, will they feel your support or see you as a back seat driver?

I am very interested in the 2 way exchange, I hope we can find ways to dialogue. As a student, pastor, missionary and Elder in the evangelical church I feel as if I have read and learned from the “approved list”. Now I invite you to read my thoughts in “A Heretic’s Guide To Eternity” and we can have some common ground for this 2 way journey…