"To make matters worse, we are beginning to see some sort of convergence between the emerging church and preterism"

I hope that is your sarcasm at work there Andrew :)  But on a serious note, I would say that emergent and preterism have a lot of things in common.  They both challenge the establishment and they both take a new, alternative and refreshing approach to the story of redemption and the fulfillment of prophecy.  On the other hand, preterism can sometimes be characterized by a very "modern" mindset, although we are fighting to change that.  I am troubled by some things I see within Preterism today: extreme fundamentalism, inability to accept solid criticism, and almost a total inability to reach out to critics and construct bridges to further theological dialogue.  Likewise, I was just sharing with someone earlier my misgivings about how far those in emergent are willing to go…are there any limits?  Will anything go?  So I am too a bit troubled by some of the things I see within emergent: a perception of extreme anti-Americanism (and I am not an American by the way) for example which borderlines on a strange socio-communist agenda, and I say that with no critical heart at all, just a genuine observation.  Since I’ve lost two thirds of my life to communism, you may understand why this matters to me personally.

I think "convergence" is a positive thing, although I see it more as an orbital relationship.  We are circling, probing, asking questions, trying to find common ground.  And I find the whole thing encouraging.  I think we can all learn a lot more from each other with patience and with an open ear.

Now if only someone will point out the negatives; I really am curious to see them.

Virgil Vaduva

http://unfinishedchristianity.com