In the comments section at Slice of Laodicea yesterday a lively discussion was ensuing about the video below, which is most definitely not the historic orthodox Christian faith. Doug Pagitt, a leading voice in the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church, came by and made a comment. Interestingly enough it is right below one I had made to someone defending Pagitt’s pomo musings:

You say: “Doug obviously doesn’t believe that the Bible itself is literally changing” and “I know, as Doug knows, that God doesn’t change.”

But how could you “know” that? You also told us, “we are weak, sinful, and faltering people.” This would include you. So if you are a weak, sinful, and faltering person how could you possibly know what another person thinks?

Your question: “Why can’t that not extend to what we understand the Bible to mean?” seeks to extend uncertainty as to what something means. So to turn around and then say you know what Pagit thinks is a self-refuting argument.

So which is it? Do you know what Doug is thinking? And if so, then why can’t you know what God has said in His Word? I don’t know you, but from the many people in the emerging church I have talked to, the answer is we can know what God has said. They just don’t like it.

Keep in mind that above I am using the very same argument with a professing “Christian” that I would use with an unbelieving skeptic who believes in relativism. And though Pagitt himself obviously had the chance to clear up the issues, not surprisingly in classic Emergent fashion, he simply went on to a different subject.

Note the cult-like mentality and quiet emerging arrogance as Pagitt says:

Hey all who are concerned, thanks for your concern for my well-being and for that of our community. I am sure you will do what you can to save from the destruction you see us approaching, and it will certainly be more than writing about us on websites. How about you join us sometime – you are always welcome

Translation: “Hey, we’re all doing just fine. And all you do for the Kingdom is to sit around and write on computers. Thanks, but no thanks, we don’t need your concerns as we’re the true Christ-followers.” Well, no Doug you’re not, and today I admonish you in the Lord to repent of this Emergent rebellion against the Bible because right now here’s where you are in relation to the genuine Body of Christ:

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).

*UPDATE* Here’s what Doug Pagitt had to say to my friend Chris Rosebrough over at A Little Leaven where the video also appears. It’s curious Pagitt would refer to this video as a “find” because Pagitt obviously knew about it because he sits for an interview in it and it was produced by someone in Solomon’s Porch:

Great find Chris.
I am sure the people of Solomon’s Porch will love to hear how confused and goblidy gooked we are.
Keep up the good work.

Apparently this Emergent leader has a bit of trouble handling the heat when we Christians defend overselves. Feeling a little sarcastic there Doug? Guess we won’t be hearing any more complaints about me then, will we? But you’d better know what’s at stake with this Emergent rebellion against the Bible:

God Himself tells us, A) To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn (Isaiah 8:20).

B) What is spoken on the video below and what is taught by men like Pagitt is absolutely not according to this Word of God.

C) So, if anyone believes what is being taught by Pagitt at Solomon’s Porch they have no light of dawn.

Therefore, God Himself says they simply are not Christians.

The most loving thing I can do here at Apprising Ministries is to point ths out to them in order that they might repent. Because if one has not received the love of the Truth, then they have never been saved – those who perish, [do so] because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10).