Recently we were poking through emergent's casual thoughts and verbal pranks when one emergent gremlin came forward to help us illustrate the point.

I'd said previously:

It is clear that Emergents have pitched their tent toward Liberalism; there is a traceable lineage and a recognizable attitude that I'm not eager to dismiss. So if someone says, or if you have ever said, that Emergence is repackaged or renovated Liberalism, that doesn't land you in the sin bin. I would say we have no quarrel worth mentioning.

I went on to make what I believe to be a necessary distinction, and I think that distinction must be observed for us to understand our times. As for the traceable lineage I spoke of, I think Mike Morrell helps us with some of those tedious begats and son-ofs.

These people do think in stereotypes and speak in jargon. When Tim King and Spencer Burke make their dichotomy between Conversion or Contribution, they themselves spell out the difference between Christianity and Emergence. Emergent belief is that if you take Modernism and stir in some contemporary buzzwords like empowerment, global, inclusion, mystery, humility, multi-cultural, sacred narratives, gender, climate...you have something new, fresh, vital and attractive.

You really don't.

Some things never change, even when uttered from a couch.

Here is a Puritan's observation to remind us of the obvious: the world has a lot of pretty, painted baubles to bewitch the gullible.

O LORD,

The world is artful to entrap,
approaches in fascinating guise,
extends many a gilded bait,
presents many a charming face.

Let my faith scan every painted bauble,
and escape every bewitching snare
in a victory that overcomes all things.

In my duties give me firmness, energy, zeal,
devotion to thy cause,
courage in thy name,
love as a working grace,
and all commensurate with my trust.

Let faith stride forth in giant power,
and love respond with energy in every act.

I often mourn the absence of my beloved Lord
whose smile makes earth a paradise,
whose voice is sweetest music,
whose presence gives all graces strength.

But by unbelief I often keep him outside my door.

Let faith give entrance that he may abide with me forever.

Thy Word is full of promises,
flowers of sweetest fragrance,
fruit of refreshing flavour when culled by faith.

May I be made rich in its riches,
be strong in its power,
be happy in its joy,
abide in its sweetness,
feast on its preciousness,
draw vigour from its manna.

Lord, increase my faith.