Book Review of "Deep Church"

If you are not aware of the current controversy that is reigning in the evangelical world over the "emerging church" this book will not only inform you, but provide you with a perspective of a "third way," which holds to orthodoxy but addresses the concerns of the postmodern generation. I personally, found this book to be the most balanced and insightful response to the controversy that I have read. I have recommended it to my friends on both sides of the discussion, because I do believe that it articulates the balance that is necessary. One only needs to look at the comments of those who have endorsed this book, which include Mark Driscoll, Rob Bell, Tim Keller, and Tony Jones, to know that this book has struck a cord.

The author, Jim Belcher, is a P.C.A. pastor and church planter, graduate of Fuller Seminary, and a true insider to the beginnings of what later became labeled "the emerging church." The title for the book is taken from C.S. Lewis, who used this term in 1952, when he was defending supernatural revelation against the modernist movement. It is a way of expressing "mere Christianity." His call in this book is to return to the "Great Tradition" expressed in the Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds, which bound the Church together for centuries.

Belcher was very helpful for me in this book by examining the use of words. For example, when Brian McLaren uses the term "postmodern," he is not using it as an expression denoting the "rejection of absolutes." Unfortunately, this has been what some have heard. On the other hand, when Chuck Colson speaks of postmodernism, he is speaking of a philosophical perspective that has rejected any moral absolute foundation. Therefore, though McLaren and Colson may be using the same word, but their meanings are totally different. In the same way, the labeling of "emerging" or "traditionalist" can be very misleading. Not all those who have been labeled as "emerging," are the same, any more than those labeled "traditionalist" are. There is a wide range of perspectives among both groups.

Belcher addresses the concerns expressed by postmodern Christian leaders, acknowledging the true legitimacy of those concerns. Likewise, he addresses the concerns that many traditionalist leaders have about some of the theological issues raised by some of these emerging leaders. In all this the author points to a "third way." He holds the line on orthodoxy, while at the same time values innovation. He shows that the answers are not always "either - or" but often "both - and."

I highly recommend this book to you if you are a pastor, church leader, or a thinker. It is well worth your investment.