Faith Undone: The emerging church - a new reformation or an end-time deception (Paperback)

by Roger Oakland (Author)
Key Phrases: slaughterhouse religion, new evangelization, emerging church leaders, Jesus Christ, Rick Warren, Catholic Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A needed and valuable expose of the emergent church movement. This is the most complete and up-to-date treatment of this complex and rapidly changing conversation (as adherents like to call it). --Pastor Gary Gilley, Southern View Chapel

Probably the most important contemporary Christian book (after the Bible itself) in the world today. It is essential that sincere and discerning believers read it urgently. --Jacob Prasch, Moriel Ministries

Product Description
Is the emerging church movement just another passing fad, a more contemporary approach to church, or a bunch of disillusioned young people looking for answers? In fact, it is actually much broader and is influencing Christianity to a significant degree. Grounded in a centuries-old mystical approach, this movement is powerful, yet highly deceptive, and it draws its energy from practices and experiences that are foreign to traditional evangelical Christianity. The path that the emerging church is taking is leading right into the arms an interfaith perspective that has prophetically profound ramifications.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Lighthouse Trails Publishing; 1st edition (August 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979131510
• ISBN-13: 978-0979131516
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,438 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith Undone, August 30, 2008

By	A. J. Montgomery (Dundee, Scotland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

[[ASIN:0979131510 Faith Undone: The emerging church - a new reformation or an end-time deception]
Faith Undone has been written to warn the Church about a phenomenon called "The Emergent Church." Like the warnings of the prophets, peoples' reaction to this book will vary from alarm through indifference to offence.

Although the book is written in a popular style to be accessible to non academics, it does contain footnotes detailing references so the reader may check the veracity of claims for themselves.

After the introductory chapter, the author traces the origins of the Emergent Church from as early as the 1950s describing how an American business guru influenced a group of church leaders in the 1980s, which in turn gathered and influenced a younger generation of pastors in the 1990s. There was a belief that the church needed to change dramatically to meet the challenge of the post-modern world. Influences that were affecting and shaping the new perceptions of these people appeared to have their roots in New Age and Eastern philosophies. They were also able to gain backing from influential publishers to widely disseminate their views and vision. Like the New Age movement, the Emergent Church is a more a diverse network rather than an organisation.

The book goes on to describe characteristics of the Emergent phenomenon. There is a tendency to promote experience as being more authoritative than scripture, which is no longer held to be absolute truth. This appeal for experience leads to an emphasis on rituals, mysticism and multi-sensory worship. This is justified as a "return" to the practice of the early church fathers and re-discovering of "ancient wisdom." Contemplative prayer is promoted with "centering down," "visualisation," and use of repetitive "mantra-like" prayers such as "The Jesus Prayer." There is also a move from the traditional Protestant view of Holy Communion towards a Roman Catholic perception of transubstantiation and the worship of the Eucharist. Because the author supports a traditional protestant understanding of this subject, and questions the Vatican's possible motives in encouraging the Emergent church in this area, it is likely that some readers will be offended by Oakland's warnings.

Other characteristics of the Emergent Church include "Kingdom Now Theology" which will include a "Replacement Theology" of Israel by the Church. There is a re-defining of "Christ" reminiscent of New Age "cosmic christs." Some proponents of Emergent Theology are uncomfortable with the atoning work of Jesus on the cross, holding it as an example of sacrifice rather than a requirement of God's justice. There is a tendency to emphasise the social side of the Gospel to exclusion of correct belief. Some Emergent leaders are uncertain on issues such as homosexuality.

Throughout the book the author tries not to needlessly "name names" for its own sake, but where necessary identifies key protagonists with relevant quotes. Some of the names may come as a surprise and cause upset.

The author undoubtedly perceives the Emergent influence as a threat to Christian Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy, preparing the way for a lukewarm compromising church that would be open to the deception of end times. I believe Roger Oakland to be sincere in his concern, though others may feel that he is over reacting, seeing dangers where none exist. However the issues raised are important and need to be debated in an open and mature manner. This is an issue which will not go away and all Christians need to be aware of what is happening and will have to make a decision. I would recommend this book as a good introduction to the subject and a starting point for prayer, study and discussion.

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST Read for Christians World wide, December 7, 2007

By	Ian Alford "Ian" (Portage,MB,CAN.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A movement that has spread like wildfire through out North American Churches is challenged by writer Roger Oakland.Roger compares this movement to the Living Word of God and exposes it for what it is-deceptive,half truths,twisting God's Word and a road that goes quite wide(leading quite possibly to Hell for some) inviting all beliefs(religion)to walk together.Jesus Christ preachead a narrow road.Roger reminds us 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at[a] His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry..Get back to the Bible to God centered theology not Man centered theology.The Emerging Church is exposed by the TRUTH.READ THIS BOOK.

68 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Age Spirituality Invades the Church, October 21, 2007

By	J. Hagg "Wholly His" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

New Age or what would be more accurately described as "old age" spirituality has invaded the church. I call it old age because it goes back to Babel and Nimrod, the beginnings of all false religion. Romans 1:20-25 sums it up. We are told,"For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and majesty, so that they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools---Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever."

This passage of Scripture tells us that these people's pride has caused their heart to be darkened, and while professing to be wise they are in reality fools who have rejected their Creator. How does this passage apply to the emerging church?

1) They teach Contemplative spirituality, which they assert allows a person to get in touch with God who dwells in every human. These people call it centering or breath prayers. While these names are more acceptable to evangelicals than Transendental Meditation that is exactly what centering or breath prayers really are. By using a word, phrase or centering on your breath, you let go of all your thoughts. In blanking out all thoughts you leave yourself open for demonic spirits to enter in. This is serious business. These practices go back to the false teaching of the third centruy desert fathers. Instead of going back to Nimrod or even the desert fathers, we need to get back to what Scripture has to say and obey it.

2) Emerging church leaders teach that all paths lead to God. You can be a Buddahist, Hindu, Baptist, Moslem, etc. and hold onto your traditional beliefs and practices and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. One example of this is found in the new program being carried out by YWAM. A YWAM staff newsletter notes about the new converts lifestyle changes or lack thereof: "They (the new converts) continued a life of following the Islamic requirements, including mosque attendance, fasting and Koranic reading, besides getting together as a fellowship of Moslems who acknowledge Christ as as the source of God's mercy for them." This quote is found on page 175 of "Faith Undone." A Hindu man who plays the drums at Hindu festivals claims to be a Hindu on the outside and a Christian on the inside (page 177 of "Faith Undone").

3)The emerging Church is adopting Roman Catholic practices, such as breath prayers and practicing Eucharist adoration, which worships the Messiah in the wafer and some evangelical leaders are even making the Eurcharist instead of teaching what the Scriptures say the focal point of their services. Some are emphasizing the important role that Mary will play in the coversion process that must occur if the world is to embrace the Eucharistic Chirst (page 128 of "Faith Undone").

4) Many emerging church leaders do not believe in a second coming of Christ to set up his kingdom. Instead, they assert that we must help usher in a new reformation to eradicate the global problems facing the earth, which will usher in the kingdom. Over 400,000 churches worldwide have participated in Rick Warren's Prupose Driven program which taches this false conceept (page 223 of "Faith Undone"). These false teachers believe that when mankind comes into full unity,the global giants of povery disease, sickness, etc. will be eradicated. Unfortunately, this "global community" so often spoken of by the emerging church people is a worldwide religious group that composes all belief systems(page 224 of "Faith Undone").

A couple of etremely important factors to consider here. Man's most cleverly devised programs will "never" bring world peace and usher in the kingdom. Sinful creatures that we are, we can't get along with each other long enough for that to ever happen. That will only occur when the Prince of Peace, our Savior and Lord, returns and sets up his kingdom. Then and only then, will their be no more sin, disease, poverty, death, wars, etc.

Who are these emerging church leaders? In "Fatih Undone" we discover they are many well known and some not so well known Christian leaders, such as Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Peter Drucker, Bob Buford, Leonard Sweet, Richard Foster, Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren to mention a few of them. Even my hero of sound teaching Chuck Swindohl is advocating centering prayer.

What allowed these heretical doctrines to invade the church? When the genuine needs of believers are met they will not have to find a counterfeit. First and foremost we all need to be like the Bereans and seach the Scriptures to discover God's commands in both the Old and New Testaments so that we can obey them. We need to do this individually and in group Scripture studies. Also, for too long the church has been setting half dead in it's pews listening to a one man show. They haven't discovered their spiritual gifts and been equiped to use them in ministry to others. I believe the popularity of emerging church ideas amongst supposed evangelical believers is an attempt to meet legitimate needs using methods forbidden by Scripture. I also believe the excessive emotionalism often found in the Charismatic movement is another attempt to meet legitimate needs using counterfeit spiritual methods.

I higly recommend Brain Flynn's excellent book on the same topic, "Running Against the Wind."