Skip to content ↓

Debate: Pagitt versus DeWaay

For all the discussion created by and about the Emerging Church there has been precious little formal debate about the important issues at stake. I know of pastors or theologians who have attempted to debate the issues only to have their requests refused. Finally, though, we are about to see a significant debate.

On January 20, 2006 Bob DeWaay and Doug Pagitt will debate “The Emergent Church and Postmodern Spirituality: Dangerous Trends or Necessary Changes for Evangelicalism?” DeWaay is pastor of Twin City Fellowship and has written articles critical of the Emerging Church. Pagitt is pastor of Solomon’s Porch and has authored several books including Church Re-Imagined and Reimagining Spiritual Formation.

The debate will take place at Twin City Fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There will be no admittance charge and there is no advance registration. They hope to have CD and DVD recordings of the debate available soon afterwards.

I am glad to learn of this debate and trust that it will prove beneficial. It is my prayer that both men accurately represent their views and that the Bible may be held as the ultimate authority. I wish I could be present to enjoy the debate!

For more information, consult this page.


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 23)

    A La Carte: Climate anxiety paralyzes, gospel hope propels / Living what God has written / How should I engage my rebellious child? / Satan hates your pastor / How to navigate our spiritual highs / The art of extemporaneous preaching / and more.

  • The Path to Contentment

    The Path to Contentment

    I wonder if you have ever considered that the solution to discontentment almost always seems to be more. If I only had more money I would be content. If I only had more followers, more possessions, more beauty, then at last I would consider myself successful. If only my house was bigger, my influence wider,…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Why my shepherd carries a rod / When Mandisa forgave Simon Cowell / An open mind is like an open mouth / Marriage: the half-time report / The church should mind its spiritual business / Kindle deals / and more.

  • It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    It Begins and Ends with Speaking

    Part of the joy of reading biography is having the opportunity to learn about a person who lived before us. An exceptional biography makes us feel as if we have actually come to know its subject, so that we rejoice in that person’s triumphs, grieve over his failures, and weep at his death.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (April 20)

    A La Carte: Living counterculturally during election season / Borrowing a death / The many ministries of godly women / When we lose loved ones and have regrets / Ethnicity and race and the colorblindness question / The case for children’s worship services / and more.

  • The Anxious Generation

    The Great Rewiring of Childhood

    I know I’m getting old and all that, and I’m aware this means that I’ll be tempted to look unfavorably at people who are younger than myself. I know I’ll be tempted to consider what people were like when I was young and to stand in judgment of what people are like today. Yet even…