Emerging Prophet: Kierkegaard and the Postmodern People of God

by Kyle Roberts

Kierkegaard was a prophet who critiqued "Christendom," the perversion of authentic, New Testament Christianity into the institutionalized, materialistic, triumphalist, and flabby religion of modernism. Emergent Christianity is attempting to carve out a more authentic way of being Christian and doing church within--and beyond--the ineffectual, institutionalized church of modernity. In many ways, Kierkegaard's critiques, concerns, and goals overlap with emergent Christianity and the emerging church. For the first time, this book brings Kierkegaard into a dialogue with various postmodern forms of Christianity, on topics like revelation and the Bible, the atonement and moralism, and the church as an "apologetic of witness." In conversation with postmodern philosophers, contemporary theologians, and emergent leaders, Kierkegaard is offered as a prophetic voice for those who are carving out an alternative expression of the New Testament today and attempting to follow Christ through works of love.

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2013

Reviews

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is *not* part of the emergent church movement, but he offers a fair and positive overview of the emergent ethos that is often (and understandably) misunderstood or portrayed unfavorably, even clarifying some common confusions. I was intrigued because I had not come across any books that delineate the Kierkegaardian (and indirectly, neo-orthodox) influence on or overlap with the movement. Well researched with extensive bibliography. The book contains typos, many spacing errors, and a few inconsistencies -- not inconsistent with our "fallibility" central to the appreciation of the topic. :)

[Ross Von Hausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Overall I like what Roberts has done here. He's done a fantastic job of bringing emergent thinkers into dialogue with Kierkegaard. He also does a better job than most emergent and postmodern authors at understanding Kierkegaard's thoughts and concerns for the church. That said there are still a few areas he misrepresents Kierkegaard (especially regarding faith).

Another strength of Roberts book is his gentle critiques of areas that the emergent church has neglected (ex. sin). That said there are several places that he seemingly uncritically agrees with them on their wholesale rejection of anything that resembles power, authority, triumph etc., as evil. While I would agree that Christ indicates a kenosis and a great inversion, I think to read 'power' as evil in itself is to force upon Christianity the worldview of critical theorists.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading about Kierkegaard instead of his writings themselves and am pleased to see so much of his ideas applied for current Christianity. So much here to counter where some of American evangelical Christianity has taken this faith, as well as so many ideas on how the Church can counter the self-destructive and delegitimizing paths some forms of Christianity has taken. There's just as much explanation of the Emerging Church movement (this was written in 2013 when Emerging Church was still somewhat of a phenomenon) and how it's theologies match up with Kierkegaard's ideas.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for considering how Kierkegaard's views of Christianity might apply to to the Church today, especially in the North American context (or wherever "emerging Church" ideas and the situation(s) behind them have been happening.) I found the book well informed in regard to Kierkegaard and well written and understandable.

[Connor Longaphie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully refreshing take on SK from the Emergent perspective

[J.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle Roberts does so much more than simply relate Kierkegaard to the Emergent Movement. I'm not an emergent guy, while I don't really have anything against the movement either. Over the years, however, while progressing in my theological studies, I've come to embrace many of the emergent themes that Roberts highlights in his book. There are many evangelicals, who, while remaining rooted in the movement, are concerned about the changes that are needed within evangelicalism and are looking forward to the new movement that will eventually emerge out of this desire for change. What this new movement will look like is hard to say, but it will probably be comprised of both post-evangelicals and post-liberals as well as people from other perspectives. In my eyes the Emergent Movement is an early harbinger of what is to come. What will eventually emerge might well be more moderate, but will certainly embrace many of the values cherished by the Emergent Church.

As such "Emerging Prophet" does much more than telling the emergent movement how meaningful Kierkegaard can be for them. What Roberts is really after—if I read the book correctly—is to argue that things really need to change in the evangelical camp. That it's modernist epistemology and its resultant handling of the Bible, formation of ethics, witness, and engagement with the world is flawed and out of date. Out of date because we have entered the postmodern era and have left the constantinian church behind us; flawed—and this is the really important thing—because the way evangelicalism has become completely dependent upon the modernist paradigm is detrimental to its fidelity to the message of Christ and its authentic witness in the world.

Kyle Roberts is using Kierkegaard to argue his case and rightly so. Not only is Roberts a Kierkegaard scholar, but Kierkegaard's thought speaks directly into the situation of today. Kierkegaard was a postmodern avant la lettre, but what is more, he is a prophet who calls a church that has integrated nationalism and politics too much with its ecclesial identity to repent and return to a radical discipleship of Jesus Christ.

"Emerging Prophet" is well written, easily accessible for lay people, and therefore in my opinion, because of its subject matter, mandatory reading for any evangelical who is concerned with the movement they belong to and love. Evangelical christians need to read this book. Period.

[Rob McFarren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and practical look at the writings of Kierkegaard and their applicability to Christians in America today. Well researched, and much to let sink in as a fundamental shift in how to think about faith apart from Christendom. While I'm sure many Christians are not yet willing to dive into the postmodern fray, the fact is there is more opportunity than during the modern period. This book, in mentioning many who are embracing this call and challenge, demonstrates a hopeful struggle in moving from a faith rooted in subjective appropriation of the paradoxical God-man of Jesus Christ. Highly recommend -- particularly for those sensing the call to engage and move forward in our current context. There is hope that lies rooted in Christ, and the church can embrace it if it is willing to deconstruct, analyze, and return to Christology rooted in the person, not abstract doctrine, of God worked out in contextual love.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kierkegaard has something to say to the post-modern emerging church. The comparison is so exact that you might say that he predicted the movement. The author certainly attempts to draw that line. When I read this book, I had not read or studied Kierkegaard since Philosophy 101 in college, but I have read extensively on the emerging/emergent church. Roberts does a good job explaining Kierkegaard, but he may not do such a good job explaining the emerging church. At times the text does get scholarly and I felt lost at points, then other times the point came through like a ray of light and propelled my interest further. Thankfully, it is a short book, and I never felt like I just wanted it to end. Kierkegaard has some important things to say to not just the emerging church, but post-modern Christianity. Roberts does a fantastic job show the relation between the two. Recommended for anyone interested in post-modern Christianity.