If you’re looking for a well written summary of the cultural factors behind the emergence of the Emergents (no pun intended) this book is for you. Tickle couches the entire drama within the context of “who or where is the authority?”
I have two problems with the book. First, like all emergent writings the verdict for who or where is the authority is left to one’s imagination. I think even the postmodern will tire soon of situational ambiguity. Second, Tickle estimates that 2/3 of the religious scene will be emergent in the near future. I simply don’t buy that. I see very few emergent churches reaching large numbers of people.
Still this is an excellent book to give you the flavor of the Emergents and how they interpret history, especially the last two chapters.