Why We’re Not Emergent is a readable and often entertaining critique of the Emergent Church movement. Authors Ted Kluck and Kevin DeYoung freely admit that even though as young, white, culturally savvy individuals they are in the key demographic of the movement, they find the majority of conclusions and practices of the Emergent Church lacking. In alternating chapters each author looks at different aspects of Emergent Church theology and attempts to help readers better understand the ramifications of the Emergent Church’s tendency to redefine, reshape, or completely disregard some of the major tenets of historic, orthodox Christianity. As one example, Kluck states “The reason I love Christianity and the Bible is that I think they are really the only things in this world that don’t need to be periodically ‘repainted’ or reframed.” This book is not an academic or in depth theological treatise of the Emergent Church, but it is a great primer for those who want to know more about the movement and to better understand the implications of the its answers to questions many emergents are asking about the journey of faith, the Church, and our ability to know God. Those who have already read D.A. Carson’s book Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church may find Kluck and DeYoung a good balance to Carson’s critique of many of the same issues.

- Danny Mitchell