From a speech Brian McLaren gave at the Emergent 2005 convention:
"In modernity, the Bible helps the church know and be right so she can teach. Perhaps, in the emerging context, the Bible will help the church love (spirituality) and live (community), so she can do good in the world (mission)."
Brian’s sentiment is good, but he is wrong in his conclusion. If the “modern” Christian only used the Bible to know and be right, then how come the last 100 years has seen the greatest Christian movement and establishment of groups and organizations focused on God’s call for us to be his incarnation in the world. For example, hospitals, schools, orphanages, civil rights movement, missionary efforts, homeless ministries, and I could list hundreds more.
Good point. Obviously the statement can’t function as a comprehensive statement.