A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about the Emerging Church in America. I did not anticipate the responses I received. A lot of people are identifying themselves as Emergents. As the theological and social implications of the Emergent Churches become the subjects of journals, magazines and newspapers, the movement is moving from thoughts and ideas to a call for action.

One of the people who contacted me after reading the article is Robert Jensen, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He teaches media law, ethics and politics. In our e-mail exchanges, Dr. Jensen claimed for himself the designation as an Emergent. Recently he decided to write a book about his spiritual journey. The title, “All My Bones Shake,” is taken from a poem from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah.

Dr. Jensen’s publisher graciously sent me a review copy of the book. The official publication date was June. The book is hot off the press. I quickly read this book penned by an articulate Emergent.

Jensen begins by telling his story. This is very important. I suspect it is the story of millions of Americans who have been leaving Christian churches in a steady stream.

Robert Jensen grew up in the upper Midwest, the son of a couple who attended the local Presbyterian church with regularity. They expected him to do the same.

He dutifully did so and completed catechism, even though it bored him to death. He looks back at his boyhood church as a “boring social club” and at religion as a “banal approach to life.” As soon as he could escape, he did. He did not return for a long time.

In Austin he became aware of a Presbyterian church that had a minister that did not hesitate to become involved in such issues as opposition to war and the acceptance in the church of gay and lesbian people. In December, 2005, Jensen became a member of the Presbyterian church. He did not join to find out how the world came to be; nor did he join to be assured of what would happen to him when he died. He joined the church to be a part of a group of people, who were asking how they ought to live while here on this earth.

This is the trait that makes him quite typical of Emergents. Jensen wants to figure out how to be a responsible person right here in this world.

The largest section of the book is an exposition of the Great Commandment. In the Mark Gospel chapter 12, Jesus in response to a question said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mind, heart, soul and strength become the springboard of Jensen’s exposition of Truth.

In his exposition of Truth, Jensen reveals one of the key traits of Emergents: They are not afraid to be theologically adventuresome. Jensen makes it plain that he is not a trained theologian. He is an ethicist and a sociologist. However, he is determined that theology should be relevant to this world. As I read his words, I often argued with him. As a professional, who is trained in theology and Bible interpretation, I have the skills to join him in argument. I suspect that is exactly what he wants to happen.

Any one who reads Jensen’s book should be prepared to argue. If a reader is not prepared to argue, part of the value of the book will be missed.

An example of this is his discussion of the nature of all Fundamentalisms. Whether the Fundamentalism is religious, economic, national or scientific, all Fundamentalisms seek to control through hierarchies.

He refers to this phenomenon as “power over.” He believes all “power over” social structures are doomed to failure and must be set aside if the world is to survive. His alternative proposal is “power with.” I instinctively wanted to challenge him with the words of Jesus. “If any one of you would be great, let him be the servant of all.” What is the role of the person, who chooses to play the part of the humble servant?

The most challenging part of “All My Bones Shake,” is Jensen’s marshaling of the facts that point to the collapse of our social order and world civilizations. World population is hurdling toward numbers that cannot be sustained by a world of limited resources. He makes the case that world civilizations cannot survive unless Americans and other Western elite nations significantly reduce our rates of consumption.

Do you disagree? Buy the book and join in the argument.

Does your church adult classes need a book to read and discuss? “All My Bones Shake,” will be a good challenge. Does your book club need a different kind of read? This will do it. Do you want to understand what the Emergent Church is all about? This is a good snapshot.

        

The Rev. Howard Bess is an American Baptist minister living in retirement in Palmer. His e-mail address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.