Rob Bell, a prominent evangelical pastor and writer, has been accused of heresy and Universalism due to the trajectory of his teaching, and his latest book Love Wins. Controversy started as a response to a promotional video created for the book, and a number of interviews in which he denies the existence of Hell. Bell claims, in the end, God’s love wins everyone over, and those who don't choose Christ in life will be won over after death.
My prayer is that instead of jumping to conclusions, people would view his work and teaching through the lens of the Bible, keeping in mind the central tenets of our faith. Namely: Jesus is the Christ, fully God and fully man, and all scripture is inspired by God and was recorded accurately through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Having established this, it is important to be aware that Jesus discusses Hell more than any other person in scripture. In Luke 16:19-26 Jesus tells a story about a righteous beggar who goes to heaven, and self-indulgent rich man who goes to hell. In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says not to fear man, but to fear instead the judgement of a God who can “destroy both soul and body in hell.” In Matthew 13:41-42 Jesus says “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
These are just a few of the many recorded instances where Jesus discusses Hell. If we accept Jesus as the Christ, and as the incarnation of the trinitarian God of the Bible, then we cannot doubt His words. Jesus says that sinners go to Hell, and in John 14:6 and several other places in the gospels he says that He is the only way to Heaven. Those who will not put there faith in Him face the “wrath of God against unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
It is in this that Christianity separates its self from the rest of the world, and this belief is far from socially acceptable. But the reality that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life" (John 3:36) rules and shapes the Christian worldview. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death,” but goes on to tell us that there is hope, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In every instance, the Bible is very specific in saying that Hell is a reality, and the only way to avoid it is through a saving, persevering faith in Christ Jesus. Given this, are the claims Bell makes in his book and teaching heretical? Having not read Love Wins myself, I do not wish to contribute to that controversy. In fact, I sincerely hope that despite the publisher's description and promotional video Bell's book does have its roots in biblical truth. However, based off of the responses by pastors I love and respect, and reviews of the book, that does not seem to be the case. If his claims are what they seem to be, then he is teaching a false gospel.
My prayer for you who are reading this, and the main purpose of this letter, is that you would not join in the condemnation of this man whose teaching has served to edify many, including myself and many in my home church. Instead I encourage you to pray for him, that he might find his way home to the Father. And, that if you choose to read Bell's book, that you would view its claims in light of Biblical truths, and in the context of the core Christian doctrines.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Facebook Christianity
Facebook Christianity... you probably know what this is, but if you don't, I will define it for you. Its when someone appears to be passionate about their faith through quotes and statuses and blogs that they post on various social networking sites. The irony in this is that many cases the words being typed onto a screen do not reflect the lifestyle that the person typing them is living.
My point is this: it is far easier to tweet about a bible verse or a evangelistic message than it is to live it. Now as I say this I want you to keep in mind that technology is a powerful tool. With the advent of social networks thousands of people can connect at the speed of light, and thoughts and ideas can be exchanged in an instant.
Imagine if such ability to connect with people across the globe and share ideas had been possible in during the European Enlightenment Era, or the Protestant Reformation, or the Awakening... The world as we know it would be drastically different because great thinkers and theologians would have the power to conference and build on each others ideas, even share entire works of literature instantaneously. However, no matter how great or powerful and idea may be, it comes to nothing if it is not put into practice. Can you see where this is going?
On the other hand, an idea put into practice can be revolutionary. Take for example, the recent revolution in Egypt. It started with an idea, a dream of a better home, a place for freedom and democracy, where all would have rights. The idea hit the web, appearing on Facebook and Twitter. In a short period of time the idea was viral among people the age of myself, the majority of my readers, and perhaps people a few years older. These young men and women began organizing protests via internet, posting political blogs, sharing ideas... starting a revolution.
If they had just stopped there then it probably would have died out over time, just another idea in a long string of incredible but impractical ideas. But they didn't stop there, they put their ideas into action. That is what truly started a revolution. And their passion and perseverance made the revolution a success, they are now taking the first steps onto a long road of reforms.
It started with and idea, spread through instantaneous communication via social network, culminated in action, and ended in success. Do all revolutions that follow this path succeed? No. But I know of one that is guaranteed to.
Because God has given us His Word, we know that the gospel will ultimately prevail. That the work of sanctification that is being done in us will lead to our final justification when Christ returns, so long as we continuously put our faith in him. As long as we recognize our dependence on the Gospel, as long as we feed on it daily, and realize that we cannot save our selves, and live for the glory of God with joy (see Romans 1:15-18).... of course, that is another blog post entirely.
What I mean in saying that is this: we have a task set before us, a commission to share the gospel with the lost and broken to the glory of God. It is a task that we do not have to be ashamed of because the gospel will ultimately prevail (Rom 1:16). Why then not start a revolution? Why not stand up and say that the direction society is going in is leading to self destruction, why not recognize that these trials and tribulations we face are the wrath of righteous and just God against unrighteousness, why not share the good news that their is hope and salvation in Christ Jesus, and that by the power of grace death becomes a gateway to paradise, futility and suffering become pathways to holiness, punishment is transformed into purification, and the power of sin is replaced with a growing love of righteousness. This is a revolution that cannot fail!
A friend of mine wrote this on my last blog post, he said "Whenever I read what you say, I can only think of one much older and much more experienced. I don't know why. You just SOUND like a... religious leader, for lack of a better term."
The fact that he put emphasis on sound works out nicely, because I want to point that out. Now, I don't believe that this is necessarily what he meant by this, but I'm making a point. I can write like a religious leader all I want, but am I living the life of a leader? Does my life reflect my blog? There is a radical love that we are claiming to know on our Facebook accounts, that we tweet clever sayings about, and yes, even write long redundant blogs posts about. The question is do we really know that radical love? Because a radical love cannot leave us unchanged. Are we truly allowing the love of Christ pervade our lives, every aspect of them? Are we truly living our lives to the glory of God to the extent that 1 Corinthians 10:13 commands us to? The very reason we were created?
My challenge for you and I is this: Lets start our own revolution. The ideas are out there, God gave us a fantastic book as the final word, and there are thousands of theological resources on the web, get to really know God, really trust Him, and begin to develop a deeper relationship with Him. But lets not wait until we think we have all the answers. We will never have all the answers in this life, and we probably won't in the next either. Earnestly seek out truth, but the, the time is now to live radically for Christ. Not tomorrow or the next day. As a pastor friend of mine likes to say "Someday is the busiest day in human history." We will always be works in progress, but by the grace of God we have an opportunity even in the midst of our own brokenness to share the love of Christ with a lost and broken world.
My point is this: it is far easier to tweet about a bible verse or a evangelistic message than it is to live it. Now as I say this I want you to keep in mind that technology is a powerful tool. With the advent of social networks thousands of people can connect at the speed of light, and thoughts and ideas can be exchanged in an instant.
Imagine if such ability to connect with people across the globe and share ideas had been possible in during the European Enlightenment Era, or the Protestant Reformation, or the Awakening... The world as we know it would be drastically different because great thinkers and theologians would have the power to conference and build on each others ideas, even share entire works of literature instantaneously. However, no matter how great or powerful and idea may be, it comes to nothing if it is not put into practice. Can you see where this is going?
On the other hand, an idea put into practice can be revolutionary. Take for example, the recent revolution in Egypt. It started with an idea, a dream of a better home, a place for freedom and democracy, where all would have rights. The idea hit the web, appearing on Facebook and Twitter. In a short period of time the idea was viral among people the age of myself, the majority of my readers, and perhaps people a few years older. These young men and women began organizing protests via internet, posting political blogs, sharing ideas... starting a revolution.
If they had just stopped there then it probably would have died out over time, just another idea in a long string of incredible but impractical ideas. But they didn't stop there, they put their ideas into action. That is what truly started a revolution. And their passion and perseverance made the revolution a success, they are now taking the first steps onto a long road of reforms.
It started with and idea, spread through instantaneous communication via social network, culminated in action, and ended in success. Do all revolutions that follow this path succeed? No. But I know of one that is guaranteed to.
Because God has given us His Word, we know that the gospel will ultimately prevail. That the work of sanctification that is being done in us will lead to our final justification when Christ returns, so long as we continuously put our faith in him. As long as we recognize our dependence on the Gospel, as long as we feed on it daily, and realize that we cannot save our selves, and live for the glory of God with joy (see Romans 1:15-18).... of course, that is another blog post entirely.
What I mean in saying that is this: we have a task set before us, a commission to share the gospel with the lost and broken to the glory of God. It is a task that we do not have to be ashamed of because the gospel will ultimately prevail (Rom 1:16). Why then not start a revolution? Why not stand up and say that the direction society is going in is leading to self destruction, why not recognize that these trials and tribulations we face are the wrath of righteous and just God against unrighteousness, why not share the good news that their is hope and salvation in Christ Jesus, and that by the power of grace death becomes a gateway to paradise, futility and suffering become pathways to holiness, punishment is transformed into purification, and the power of sin is replaced with a growing love of righteousness. This is a revolution that cannot fail!
A friend of mine wrote this on my last blog post, he said "Whenever I read what you say, I can only think of one much older and much more experienced. I don't know why. You just SOUND like a... religious leader, for lack of a better term."
The fact that he put emphasis on sound works out nicely, because I want to point that out. Now, I don't believe that this is necessarily what he meant by this, but I'm making a point. I can write like a religious leader all I want, but am I living the life of a leader? Does my life reflect my blog? There is a radical love that we are claiming to know on our Facebook accounts, that we tweet clever sayings about, and yes, even write long redundant blogs posts about. The question is do we really know that radical love? Because a radical love cannot leave us unchanged. Are we truly allowing the love of Christ pervade our lives, every aspect of them? Are we truly living our lives to the glory of God to the extent that 1 Corinthians 10:13 commands us to? The very reason we were created?
My challenge for you and I is this: Lets start our own revolution. The ideas are out there, God gave us a fantastic book as the final word, and there are thousands of theological resources on the web, get to really know God, really trust Him, and begin to develop a deeper relationship with Him. But lets not wait until we think we have all the answers. We will never have all the answers in this life, and we probably won't in the next either. Earnestly seek out truth, but the, the time is now to live radically for Christ. Not tomorrow or the next day. As a pastor friend of mine likes to say "Someday is the busiest day in human history." We will always be works in progress, but by the grace of God we have an opportunity even in the midst of our own brokenness to share the love of Christ with a lost and broken world.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A Retreat, A Pilgrimage, and The Reality of Glory
There is an overwhelming peacefulness to Cape Cod that pervades your soul. The atmosphere is quiet and calm, and the area is rich in character and history, not to mention national beauty. It is a great place to go and relax, spend time with family, and refocus. Often times I overcrowd my schedule and I don't allow myself a second to breathe. I end up "squeezing in" God, so to speak. Which of course is a very dangerous thing. When we "Squeeze God in" to our busy schedule we develop an attitude that is counter-productive to spiritual growth. That is: God is no longer a priority. Instead of being an ever-present and developing relationship, God becomes someone to whom we pay attention to if we have the time.
Back in March of 2011 I visted the Cape for a week. It was a retreat for me of sorts. I got an opportunity to spend time with some family, read, think, reflect, and study God's word. At the end ofa great week of rest and refocusing, we took a trip up to Orleans, Mass, where we visited the Church of The Transfiguration, which is maintained and used by an ecumenical order of Benidictine Monks know as the Community of Jesus.
The first thing we noticed upon entering the campus was the genuine kindness of the Monks. Simply put: they radiated Joy, the kind of joy that can only come from a life lived for the glory of God. In fact there whole community is built upon the foundation of bringing about the glory of God among all peoples. That's one of the reasons they are an ecumenical community. As Paul begs the early church to do in Philippians, they are of "one mind, intent on one purpose." Catholics and Protestants, Methodists and Calvinists all come together, reconciling liturgy and worship from all traditions together and putting minor differences aside to come together and enjoy, worship, delight in, and glorify the one eternal God.
The church itself is a work of art. It tells the story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, and displays how Christ relates as the central figure in all of scripture. The most commanding fresco is in the front of the church, in the great dome above the altar. It displays Christ as the King of Kings, as he will appear on the final day. From him flows a depiction of the river of life, and sitting beneath him, in the river, are four books representative of the gospels, the first line of each gospel is written on them in Greek. The river collides with the floor and flows out into a beautiful image of Gods creation, spreading out down the center aisle and ending in the baptismal chamber which is an intricate artistic rendering of the Trinity.
As I stood beneath the image of Christ spreading his arms out over his creation and I stood in awe of the beauty and intensity of the moment, I noticed a few things. One being that the image was both comforting and discomforting. Its commanding presence brought into mind God's sovereignty, and the reality that he needs to be present and dominant in our lives. That presence also reminded me that that reality is not always comfortable. Christ was and is a radical, he disturbs us from our complacency and inspires us to action, one cannot encounter Christ and remain unchanged: Either we are radically transformed, or we harden our hearts and turn away, unwilling to make the changes or accept the gospel as the power and glory of God to transform our lives (Romans 1:16-17).
The second thing that crossed my mind was that even this image, this church, this beautiful, powerful, artistic, inspiring, worshipful rendition of Christ and his story, can not come close to the glory, beauty, and majesty that will be revealed to his called and beloved on the day of his return...
I can't wait.
Back in March of 2011 I visted the Cape for a week. It was a retreat for me of sorts. I got an opportunity to spend time with some family, read, think, reflect, and study God's word. At the end ofa great week of rest and refocusing, we took a trip up to Orleans, Mass, where we visited the Church of The Transfiguration, which is maintained and used by an ecumenical order of Benidictine Monks know as the Community of Jesus.
The first thing we noticed upon entering the campus was the genuine kindness of the Monks. Simply put: they radiated Joy, the kind of joy that can only come from a life lived for the glory of God. In fact there whole community is built upon the foundation of bringing about the glory of God among all peoples. That's one of the reasons they are an ecumenical community. As Paul begs the early church to do in Philippians, they are of "one mind, intent on one purpose." Catholics and Protestants, Methodists and Calvinists all come together, reconciling liturgy and worship from all traditions together and putting minor differences aside to come together and enjoy, worship, delight in, and glorify the one eternal God.
The church itself is a work of art. It tells the story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, and displays how Christ relates as the central figure in all of scripture. The most commanding fresco is in the front of the church, in the great dome above the altar. It displays Christ as the King of Kings, as he will appear on the final day. From him flows a depiction of the river of life, and sitting beneath him, in the river, are four books representative of the gospels, the first line of each gospel is written on them in Greek. The river collides with the floor and flows out into a beautiful image of Gods creation, spreading out down the center aisle and ending in the baptismal chamber which is an intricate artistic rendering of the Trinity.
As I stood beneath the image of Christ spreading his arms out over his creation and I stood in awe of the beauty and intensity of the moment, I noticed a few things. One being that the image was both comforting and discomforting. Its commanding presence brought into mind God's sovereignty, and the reality that he needs to be present and dominant in our lives. That presence also reminded me that that reality is not always comfortable. Christ was and is a radical, he disturbs us from our complacency and inspires us to action, one cannot encounter Christ and remain unchanged: Either we are radically transformed, or we harden our hearts and turn away, unwilling to make the changes or accept the gospel as the power and glory of God to transform our lives (Romans 1:16-17).
The second thing that crossed my mind was that even this image, this church, this beautiful, powerful, artistic, inspiring, worshipful rendition of Christ and his story, can not come close to the glory, beauty, and majesty that will be revealed to his called and beloved on the day of his return...
I can't wait.
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