I always found it amazing that when it comes to plants is that it appears that they grow how they want, but thats not entirely true. When I was in grade school we were given an experiment to do at home over a weeks time at two separate points in the school year. The first was to grow a plant and I personally found a couple interesting things about this; one, that a plant will not grow unless it is watered, given light and nurtured by the planter the plant will not grow and if it does it will last long. Its amazing that the perception that we have in accordance with plants and how they grow is a misunderstood perception that they grow how they want to.
For me to make a complete likeness to humans is a impaired imagery but a necessary one in the proper understanding of there being an outside influence upon humans. I bring this up as necessary cause most think and believe that God doesn't know our steps before we take them but must look into the future to see what we will do. First this limits God as Omniscient (all-knowing), second it makes God equal with man and man equal with God in the understanding of what is going to happen. God would then become less then God but scripture says that "even before a word on on my tongue behold, O Lord, you know it" (Ps. 139:4) and scripture even says God knows our path and the way we would walk (Ps. 142:3).
What an amazing concept that the God who created all things knows all that will come to pass and even causes them to happen. The prophet Isaiah says that "I am the Lord, and there is no other; Beside me there is no God. I will gird you though you have not known me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one beside Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, the one forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these things" (Isa. 45:5-7). Think about this, Imagine a bird that has a broken wing and the bird really wants to fly but the wing has made it unable to fly, but again the bird really wants to fly but again the wing makes it unable. No matter what the desire of the bird is, there is something outside the bird making it unable to fly. The inability of the bird keeps the bird from flying not is will, just as humans may have eternity set in their heart and long in some way to worship "god", they are unable to seek God (Rom. 3:10-11). The very nature by which man is bound makes them unable to choose God, but only to choose that which they obey (Rom. 6:16).
This brings up the question of does man have a "free" will? I will say that man does makes choices through out each day he walks, but to say that man is "free" in choices as he/she goes throughout each day is absurd and a violation of the doctrine of man and sound theology about the sovereignty of God (to which I will talk directly on at another time). To understand who man really is we must put our personal experiences in the back seat for a second. This is not to exclude them but most look at humanity and see people do good things to which I see the same sometimes, but that would only give people a half hearted look at the nature of man. First this doesn't get to the heart of man (where the nature lies), second we only see what people put off as who they are and third at the heart of every man is pride (this comes in different forms and can't be judged by the human eye).
In the end is all comes down to who man is! The doctrine of man today is looked at in just a marred image of God and not "dead" as scripture says (Eph. 2:1-3), having a depraved heart (Jer. 17:9) and a depraved mind (Eph. 4:17). For this to be lost leaves us lost about man and all we can do is speculate as to man's ability to do good which scripture does not speculate and says very clearly "there is no one who is good" (Rom 3:10) and Jesus also says "Why do you call me good, no one is good but God alone" (Mark 10:18). Granted all I say is previous to the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration of man. I fully believe man has a new nature after regeneration to which I will talk about at a later point in this blog.
For now though we must stand on what God says in His word about mankind in that we are a slave to sin and has the inability to choose God, for Jesus himself says "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16) and "that the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21). This is a very foundational understanding about man and who man is and must never be lost or changed; much love in our Lord's name!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
much needed talk (part 2; God's glory is for God)
The last blog that got this all started was just a spring board to get our thoughts into motion about the discussion of man's will and God's sovereignty; in the action of man in his ability to choose God or not, How much scripture says God steps into the action of mans life and the sustaining act of God post initial faith and repentance in Christ. I do believe that there are many mysteries as to how God acts in the lives of humans and exactly how much "free will" has in choosing God unto salvation (not a fan of the phrase "free will" when it comes man in a fallen/dead/sinful nature; you'll see why as I blog about this).
One thing that always blows my mind is God's glory and why his glory he shares with no one (Isa. 48:11). As sit in my hotel room and look out the window I can't help but stand in awe of the beauty of the sun as it sets and shines forth what the bible says that it proclaims the works of God's hands. This brings up a question that I want to ask; do we see things like a sunset and think I did that and it was about me? Or wow that sun is powerful and majestic? (yes, some do this) Or do we think about something greater then our selves? (aka a creator/God). I am moved to think through many conversations I have had, a survey Bill Bright the founder of Campus crusade for Christ did found out that 98% of Americans believe in God and we also see the many religions throughout the world that most believe in a god or many gods in some way shape or form. Don't worry I'm not out to prove a creator even though thats happened. I am wanting to show that God is all about himself and not about glorifying creation even though He uses it for his glory (Ps. 19:1-6, 66:1-4; Rom. 1:21-22) and to reveal his will (Ps. 92:4; Isa. 43:7; Rom. 9:22-24).
I always found it interesting that when people say God does what he does cause of his love for his creation. This always made me wonder, where is that in scripture?!?! I'm fully disagree with this as scripture says God has concern for his glory and his name (Ezk. 36:21). Think about humans, we aren't made in God's image and likeness for people to see humans but God's reigning glory within mankind (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:1-9). Creation speaks and groans about and points to God (Rom. 1:20, 8:20) but man has "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Rom. 1:23), this is mans tendency in his mind and nature.
I say all this in light of God's glory His primary concern cause we tend to see God working for our good. Granted there is one scripture that says "God works for the good of those who love him" which most people point to like its the most important scripture according to God working in mans life post receiving Christ, but lets look at the whole text. It says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Rom 8:28-30). The whole text points not only the Jesus and the work done in the saints through God's providential work in predestination but brings glory to God alone with the glorification of man at the point of consummation and in the resurrection on the dead. Even in the book of revelation we see that all things point to the triune God and all the glory is due to him (1 Cor. 15:28; Rev. 20-22).
As you read these blogs please remember that I working through things so if you have thoughts please feel free to interact but remember that I am not fully laid out all my thoughts on this subject, but please I do want interaction with these blogs. Thanks!
One thing that always blows my mind is God's glory and why his glory he shares with no one (Isa. 48:11). As sit in my hotel room and look out the window I can't help but stand in awe of the beauty of the sun as it sets and shines forth what the bible says that it proclaims the works of God's hands. This brings up a question that I want to ask; do we see things like a sunset and think I did that and it was about me? Or wow that sun is powerful and majestic? (yes, some do this) Or do we think about something greater then our selves? (aka a creator/God). I am moved to think through many conversations I have had, a survey Bill Bright the founder of Campus crusade for Christ did found out that 98% of Americans believe in God and we also see the many religions throughout the world that most believe in a god or many gods in some way shape or form. Don't worry I'm not out to prove a creator even though thats happened. I am wanting to show that God is all about himself and not about glorifying creation even though He uses it for his glory (Ps. 19:1-6, 66:1-4; Rom. 1:21-22) and to reveal his will (Ps. 92:4; Isa. 43:7; Rom. 9:22-24).
I always found it interesting that when people say God does what he does cause of his love for his creation. This always made me wonder, where is that in scripture?!?! I'm fully disagree with this as scripture says God has concern for his glory and his name (Ezk. 36:21). Think about humans, we aren't made in God's image and likeness for people to see humans but God's reigning glory within mankind (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:1-9). Creation speaks and groans about and points to God (Rom. 1:20, 8:20) but man has "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Rom. 1:23), this is mans tendency in his mind and nature.
I say all this in light of God's glory His primary concern cause we tend to see God working for our good. Granted there is one scripture that says "God works for the good of those who love him" which most people point to like its the most important scripture according to God working in mans life post receiving Christ, but lets look at the whole text. It says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Rom 8:28-30). The whole text points not only the Jesus and the work done in the saints through God's providential work in predestination but brings glory to God alone with the glorification of man at the point of consummation and in the resurrection on the dead. Even in the book of revelation we see that all things point to the triune God and all the glory is due to him (1 Cor. 15:28; Rev. 20-22).
As you read these blogs please remember that I working through things so if you have thoughts please feel free to interact but remember that I am not fully laid out all my thoughts on this subject, but please I do want interaction with these blogs. Thanks!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
much needed talk (part 1)
As I've been thinking about what to blog about, I have been confronted with the idea of grace and the live of being grace filled. I have always been one to talk about the debate of the will of man and the sovereignty of God and where the line is drawn and also have come to a stance on the subject. I have it all laid out in my head but never on paper so this is my way of laying out what I believe on the very debated topic. I think I might even surprise some of you that I have been over in a teaching situation or one on one discussion about this very topic commonly known as Calvinism vs Arminianism. I don't believe that I will solve this debate for everyone but the issue needs to continue to be hashed out in humility and love; not division and pride which is my overall goal in this discussion.
Personally, I don't like either words (Calvinism or Arminianism) cause 1) the men known for this are pointed to and not what matters is talked about; what God says in His word 2) this separates when we take side of man (hence the word "vs"; also see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 "I follow.....") 3) Some areas of this debate are laid out a little clearer in scripture then others, but this area of discussion is where discernment comes in to play and the nature of God and nature of man need to be studied (I do believe we can know this more then most think). 4) We need to study this doctrine cause DOCTRINE DOES NOT DIVIDE humans do; biblical doctrine is meant to unify the body of Christ (Deut. 6:4-9; Nehemiah 8:9-12, 9:1-5; 2:42; 1 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrew 4:12-13; Jude v.3-4, 17-25), but to many think doctrine divides when that makes no sense cause the bible is doctrine (this word just means "teaching")
With that said I stand with Martian Luther and what he said about the common believer having the bible in their hands, "the word of God in the hands of the common man can either be the greatest thing that can happen or the worst". This holds true as one of the worst cause now everyone thinks they should or can be a teacher but the Spirit gives gifts as He chooses to individuals He chooses (1 Cor. 12:7, 11) not all believers. With that said, I urge believers everywhere to understand that if your not gifted as a teacher (empowered by the Spirit in a supernatural way) please stop teaching cause your not fulfilling your calling but dividing by teaching bad doctrine and bad doctrine divides!
Below I have laid out the five points of each side not to say this is right and this is wrong but so that we can look at them for just what they are and go from there. Now I do have a personal stance on the issue at hand but I'm not here to tell you what I believe but to look a little at church history, systematic theology, biblical exegesis and specifically biblical context say in accordance with the issue. None of these will be done in any order and some might even be talked about more then others but I don't want to side in such a way that is all one sided but I look at all areas. in this series of blogs (heres my disclaimer to long blogs and many parts to the series). I will though end in someway to bring this into the modern world and the application of this to doing ministry in modern America.
Calvinism
1) Total depravity or total inability
2) Unconditional Election
3) Limited Atonement or particular redemption
4) The efficacious call of the Holy Spirit or Irresistible grace
5) Perseverance of the saints
Arminianism
1) free will or human ability
2) Conditional Election
3) universal atonement or general redemption
4) The Holy Spirit can be effectually resisted or resistible grace
5) Falling from grace
I will do my best to blog on this every few days so as to keep it fresh on our tongues and minds so please feel free to interact, but remember that I am in constant thought flow about this and might cover what you are thinking about in a future section of this particular blog/topic so please bear with me.
Much love in our Lord's name :)
Personally, I don't like either words (Calvinism or Arminianism) cause 1) the men known for this are pointed to and not what matters is talked about; what God says in His word 2) this separates when we take side of man (hence the word "vs"; also see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 "I follow.....") 3) Some areas of this debate are laid out a little clearer in scripture then others, but this area of discussion is where discernment comes in to play and the nature of God and nature of man need to be studied (I do believe we can know this more then most think). 4) We need to study this doctrine cause DOCTRINE DOES NOT DIVIDE humans do; biblical doctrine is meant to unify the body of Christ (Deut. 6:4-9; Nehemiah 8:9-12, 9:1-5; 2:42; 1 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrew 4:12-13; Jude v.3-4, 17-25), but to many think doctrine divides when that makes no sense cause the bible is doctrine (this word just means "teaching")
With that said I stand with Martian Luther and what he said about the common believer having the bible in their hands, "the word of God in the hands of the common man can either be the greatest thing that can happen or the worst". This holds true as one of the worst cause now everyone thinks they should or can be a teacher but the Spirit gives gifts as He chooses to individuals He chooses (1 Cor. 12:7, 11) not all believers. With that said, I urge believers everywhere to understand that if your not gifted as a teacher (empowered by the Spirit in a supernatural way) please stop teaching cause your not fulfilling your calling but dividing by teaching bad doctrine and bad doctrine divides!
Below I have laid out the five points of each side not to say this is right and this is wrong but so that we can look at them for just what they are and go from there. Now I do have a personal stance on the issue at hand but I'm not here to tell you what I believe but to look a little at church history, systematic theology, biblical exegesis and specifically biblical context say in accordance with the issue. None of these will be done in any order and some might even be talked about more then others but I don't want to side in such a way that is all one sided but I look at all areas. in this series of blogs (heres my disclaimer to long blogs and many parts to the series). I will though end in someway to bring this into the modern world and the application of this to doing ministry in modern America.
Calvinism
1) Total depravity or total inability
2) Unconditional Election
3) Limited Atonement or particular redemption
4) The efficacious call of the Holy Spirit or Irresistible grace
5) Perseverance of the saints
Arminianism
1) free will or human ability
2) Conditional Election
3) universal atonement or general redemption
4) The Holy Spirit can be effectually resisted or resistible grace
5) Falling from grace
I will do my best to blog on this every few days so as to keep it fresh on our tongues and minds so please feel free to interact, but remember that I am in constant thought flow about this and might cover what you are thinking about in a future section of this particular blog/topic so please bear with me.
Much love in our Lord's name :)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Envision culture shock
This past year I graduated from Nyack College with the hopes of going into Pastoral ministry which I still do, but when I graduated I was thrown for a loop by a friend with works with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (CMA) with what is known as....Envision culture. This is all from the national youth office and focuses on young adults ages 18-30 in the CMA to help them get acquainted with there calling in the kingdom of God and to help build the Kingdom of God. This is the past thing I thought I would be doing but it seems like with my past ministry work God has placed me places I never thought I would end up, but God is good so I'm cool with it!
I titled this partly "envision culture" cause that is who I work with and partly "culture shock" cause thats what it was a culture shock. In the previous months to me coming out here I interviewed with three separate churches about possible Youth Pastor positions, all three were in the state of NY. As I went through each of the interview process I was excited about all three since I really want to do ministry in the local church. This has been my passion and burden for about the past 6 years (about a year after coming to faith in Christ). So for the past 6 years I have been looking and longing for opportunities to serve in the local church. I've done various things from preach in sunday, to teach and lead youth groups, to teach and leading young adults, to sunday school, to picking up chairs on sunday morning after service. Basically I've done what ever I can to serve and thats what I was looking towards for when I graduated but obviously God had other plans.
In the book of Job it says that God''s plans can't be stopped (42:2) and that Ephesians says that God works everything after His will (1:11). We see that in scripture there are many other places that talk about God's will and what he does is up to him and it seems that I have very little say in what happens. I hate to say it but I fell into the trap of thinking that as long as I was seeking God and he was first I would get the desire of my heart (Psalms 37:4). The issue that I forgot is that in seeking God I will then give up my desires and seek God's desires for me to build His kingdom not mine (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28). This was big for me and very convicting, even though I knew it biblically, I forgot it practically and in a round about way expected God to give it to me cause of what I believed he called me to.
Through this all I was brought to the CMA national office with Envision and doing something that was not ministry in the local church, to which I was dreaming and looking forward to after I graduated. So as I talked with a gentlemen in the envision offce about what I would be doing in Colorado, seeking council and praying about it, it seemed as though this is where God wanted me. Like when I went to school in NY I didn't understand as to why but I walked by faith and not sight as we are told to in 2 Corinthians 5:7. I was at another point in transition from state to state, among other things and just plain having to up and move again; this would be interesting I thought!
As I got to to Colorado I was in the one state I wanted to live in before I died so that was cool, but the thing that toped it off was that I got to do ministry and was seeing that God waanted me there. As things got moving I met people in the office and then within my first week got on the road the snowy wisconsin. I rode up there in a 16 ft box truck with my boss and it was long and tedius, but the goal and purpose was the important issue at hand. People seeing the need to build the kingdom and getting involved with that is the goal anytime the project experience goes anywhere to anybody. I have had the pleasure of going to "no where" wisconsin (to which I would not want to live), Portland, OR (awesome place), Omaha NE (another awesome place with really good food), NY (not bad...haha) and I leave for Ohio tomorrow for about 1 week (grow up 1 hour away from where I'll be).
Overall my life has been turned around for the good, I haver seen how blessed we are in America and even the freedoms that we have in that luxuery. I have been able to talk to people about the developing countrys around the world and the issues that go with it from 1 in 6 people don't have clean drinking water in the world, to 1 in 3 children in africa don't make it past the age of ten all because of starvation, to a girl every 2 seconds getsw stuck in the sex slave industry (oh and guys you also get caught up in the industry, your not excempt). In the end through when I tell people about it is then that we talk about the ultimate issue of sin in the world and the hope of Jesus Christ, His cross and resurrection from the dead is the means and we are called to take this hope to the nations.
Now the gospel message wasn't the initial shcok (the developing countries stuff was) but as it set in and I continually talked about it and took people through the experience it would hit me harder and harder about the personal work of Jesus Christ and the depth of God's grace through the cross. God through this all has brought persoanl healing in my on some issues that was struggleing to get through and as always God is faithful and good! The overall impact of working with envision in the national office has been huge in scantifying me towards God and away from the world. My heart for this blog is that as you read it you to will take steps of faith towards the unknown. You may not always see God in the fog but his light shines through the darkenss, and remember that the scripture holds true in that....
"I have been crucifed with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Chrsit lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)
"He who begun a good work in you will bring it to completion untill the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)
"We are God's workmenship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)
I would love feed back on this....
I titled this partly "envision culture" cause that is who I work with and partly "culture shock" cause thats what it was a culture shock. In the previous months to me coming out here I interviewed with three separate churches about possible Youth Pastor positions, all three were in the state of NY. As I went through each of the interview process I was excited about all three since I really want to do ministry in the local church. This has been my passion and burden for about the past 6 years (about a year after coming to faith in Christ). So for the past 6 years I have been looking and longing for opportunities to serve in the local church. I've done various things from preach in sunday, to teach and lead youth groups, to teach and leading young adults, to sunday school, to picking up chairs on sunday morning after service. Basically I've done what ever I can to serve and thats what I was looking towards for when I graduated but obviously God had other plans.
In the book of Job it says that God''s plans can't be stopped (42:2) and that Ephesians says that God works everything after His will (1:11). We see that in scripture there are many other places that talk about God's will and what he does is up to him and it seems that I have very little say in what happens. I hate to say it but I fell into the trap of thinking that as long as I was seeking God and he was first I would get the desire of my heart (Psalms 37:4). The issue that I forgot is that in seeking God I will then give up my desires and seek God's desires for me to build His kingdom not mine (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28). This was big for me and very convicting, even though I knew it biblically, I forgot it practically and in a round about way expected God to give it to me cause of what I believed he called me to.
Through this all I was brought to the CMA national office with Envision and doing something that was not ministry in the local church, to which I was dreaming and looking forward to after I graduated. So as I talked with a gentlemen in the envision offce about what I would be doing in Colorado, seeking council and praying about it, it seemed as though this is where God wanted me. Like when I went to school in NY I didn't understand as to why but I walked by faith and not sight as we are told to in 2 Corinthians 5:7. I was at another point in transition from state to state, among other things and just plain having to up and move again; this would be interesting I thought!
As I got to to Colorado I was in the one state I wanted to live in before I died so that was cool, but the thing that toped it off was that I got to do ministry and was seeing that God waanted me there. As things got moving I met people in the office and then within my first week got on the road the snowy wisconsin. I rode up there in a 16 ft box truck with my boss and it was long and tedius, but the goal and purpose was the important issue at hand. People seeing the need to build the kingdom and getting involved with that is the goal anytime the project experience goes anywhere to anybody. I have had the pleasure of going to "no where" wisconsin (to which I would not want to live), Portland, OR (awesome place), Omaha NE (another awesome place with really good food), NY (not bad...haha) and I leave for Ohio tomorrow for about 1 week (grow up 1 hour away from where I'll be).
Overall my life has been turned around for the good, I haver seen how blessed we are in America and even the freedoms that we have in that luxuery. I have been able to talk to people about the developing countrys around the world and the issues that go with it from 1 in 6 people don't have clean drinking water in the world, to 1 in 3 children in africa don't make it past the age of ten all because of starvation, to a girl every 2 seconds getsw stuck in the sex slave industry (oh and guys you also get caught up in the industry, your not excempt). In the end through when I tell people about it is then that we talk about the ultimate issue of sin in the world and the hope of Jesus Christ, His cross and resurrection from the dead is the means and we are called to take this hope to the nations.
Now the gospel message wasn't the initial shcok (the developing countries stuff was) but as it set in and I continually talked about it and took people through the experience it would hit me harder and harder about the personal work of Jesus Christ and the depth of God's grace through the cross. God through this all has brought persoanl healing in my on some issues that was struggleing to get through and as always God is faithful and good! The overall impact of working with envision in the national office has been huge in scantifying me towards God and away from the world. My heart for this blog is that as you read it you to will take steps of faith towards the unknown. You may not always see God in the fog but his light shines through the darkenss, and remember that the scripture holds true in that....
"I have been crucifed with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Chrsit lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)
"He who begun a good work in you will bring it to completion untill the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)
"We are God's workmenship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)
I would love feed back on this....
Saturday, April 2, 2011
love does not win...critical review of Rob Bell's new book "love wins"
I know I know the title of this blog just about answers my thoughts about the book but I hope and pray that you read the blog anyways. Personally I have never been a Rob Bell fan considering I'm not emergent, but I would say that I am part of the emerging church culture with a very close watch on staying within the teaching of a more reformed view of theology. I personally agree with a lot of the reformers but yet I am younger (I"m basically a young adult pastor) and want to reach the youth (13-30 year olds) of this nation. With that said I did come in with a critical view of what would be said in the book cause of my view and opinion of Bell but also with the controversy that surrounded the book even more so.
Bell looks to answer questions about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived. I first off have to say that these are large words for a man that continually asks more questions about the Christian faith then a young child does about life. I don't see anything wrong with asking questions but not when it throws out sound biblical exegesis, sound biblical context of passages mentioned and/or 1800 years of Christian thought I begin to worry for those reading the book. My worry about this is that Bell is so far gone in sound theology and clearly giving a true look at God pushes me to write about it. There are those in the faith that have no idea about sound biblical teaching they will be deceived as to believe a lie, this is my reason for writing this first and foremost. The words of Jude stand true in that "they are hidden reefs at your love feasts" (v. 12) for this is the truth and Bell is in the midst of Christian through today and why I'm so expressive about this heresy.
There are only two things about the book I am looking to talk about. The first and bigger issue is that Bell says all people will go to heaven, then that God's love is the very essence of who God is and what the gospel is all about (nope Holiness is; Isa 6:3 & Rev. 4:8...righteousness is the gospel, just read Romans), also that God's grace is so big that faith and repentance are not necessary for salvation, that judgment isn't coming upon the ungodly and that love is all that matters (Luke 13:3 &5; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thes. 1:10; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 2:4-5, 3:21-26; these are just a few scriptures that talk about what I just mentioned).
The greatest issue is that Bell makes the claim of a universal atonement for everyone who ever lived meaning that all people will go to heaven and the righteousness of God will mean nothing in the end when God is to judge the world by his righteousness (Matthew 25 makes a clear distinction about the righteous and the unrighteous before God's judgment and eternal punishment) this is a necessary truth to who God is and what the gospel is all about. This is why we are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1) cause its a judicial term or being made right with the judge (here it's God), so without faith one is not just in God's sight and therefore stands condemned before the judge.
Along with his universalism of all will go to heaven, Bell makes the claim and excuses a literal place of punishment (hell) and does all he can to make a literal place of bliss (heaven) more a here and now then a yet to come. Bell also not only does a horrible job with even portraying the love of God as making it something that is proceeding the holiness and righteousness of God and something that leaves no room for faith in the sacrifice of Christ and repentance for individual sin towards God. This is not just a horrible thing but darn right not in line with who God is, who man is or what the gospel teaches. Not all people will be in eternal bliss with our heavenly Father as Jesus said "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is east that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14), for this is a very clear statement by Jesus about the afterlife!
I have thrown some harsh words around but Rob Bell is a heretic and this book is heresy. It goes against all that the bible teaches and bell is teaching another gospel and what Paul said is worthy of eternal damnation (Gal 6:6-10). This is not a joy to say but necessary as Peter and Jude (2 Peter 2 & Jude) say that will be in our midst and Paul says to Timothy that people will look to have their ears tickled (1 Tim. 4:1-3). I pray and hope you head this as many will not!
Bell looks to answer questions about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived. I first off have to say that these are large words for a man that continually asks more questions about the Christian faith then a young child does about life. I don't see anything wrong with asking questions but not when it throws out sound biblical exegesis, sound biblical context of passages mentioned and/or 1800 years of Christian thought I begin to worry for those reading the book. My worry about this is that Bell is so far gone in sound theology and clearly giving a true look at God pushes me to write about it. There are those in the faith that have no idea about sound biblical teaching they will be deceived as to believe a lie, this is my reason for writing this first and foremost. The words of Jude stand true in that "they are hidden reefs at your love feasts" (v. 12) for this is the truth and Bell is in the midst of Christian through today and why I'm so expressive about this heresy.
There are only two things about the book I am looking to talk about. The first and bigger issue is that Bell says all people will go to heaven, then that God's love is the very essence of who God is and what the gospel is all about (nope Holiness is; Isa 6:3 & Rev. 4:8...righteousness is the gospel, just read Romans), also that God's grace is so big that faith and repentance are not necessary for salvation, that judgment isn't coming upon the ungodly and that love is all that matters (Luke 13:3 &5; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thes. 1:10; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 2:4-5, 3:21-26; these are just a few scriptures that talk about what I just mentioned).
The greatest issue is that Bell makes the claim of a universal atonement for everyone who ever lived meaning that all people will go to heaven and the righteousness of God will mean nothing in the end when God is to judge the world by his righteousness (Matthew 25 makes a clear distinction about the righteous and the unrighteous before God's judgment and eternal punishment) this is a necessary truth to who God is and what the gospel is all about. This is why we are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1) cause its a judicial term or being made right with the judge (here it's God), so without faith one is not just in God's sight and therefore stands condemned before the judge.
Along with his universalism of all will go to heaven, Bell makes the claim and excuses a literal place of punishment (hell) and does all he can to make a literal place of bliss (heaven) more a here and now then a yet to come. Bell also not only does a horrible job with even portraying the love of God as making it something that is proceeding the holiness and righteousness of God and something that leaves no room for faith in the sacrifice of Christ and repentance for individual sin towards God. This is not just a horrible thing but darn right not in line with who God is, who man is or what the gospel teaches. Not all people will be in eternal bliss with our heavenly Father as Jesus said "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is east that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14), for this is a very clear statement by Jesus about the afterlife!
I have thrown some harsh words around but Rob Bell is a heretic and this book is heresy. It goes against all that the bible teaches and bell is teaching another gospel and what Paul said is worthy of eternal damnation (Gal 6:6-10). This is not a joy to say but necessary as Peter and Jude (2 Peter 2 & Jude) say that will be in our midst and Paul says to Timothy that people will look to have their ears tickled (1 Tim. 4:1-3). I pray and hope you head this as many will not!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)