Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A great review of Rob Bell's new book
Here's a review of Bell's new book "Jesus Wants to Save Christians" (or something like that) by probably the smartest guy I've met at Westminster. The review is insightful and you'll learn a few things about theology and biblical studies just from reading the review. Check it out.
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I am reading this review, and the first thing I felt compelled to comment on is:
Universalism may or may not be true, but saying that it "turns the grace of God into an utter joke" is to misunderstand the nature of grace. And is poor wording. But I'm liking the article so far.
Also: "To stress either one at the expense of the other is to do Scripture an injustice."
That was annoying.
James, a few questions:
Do you believe that it does not do an injustice to lean too far to one side on those issues and tendencies?
Also, a comment on your statement that universalism turns God's grace into an utter joke being a misunderstanding of the nature of grace. I am not sure if I understand what you mean by that, so this response may be totally off-base but I do not understand your perspective.
If the Bible is true, and therefore we only receive grace because of the outpouring of God's complete wrath on His Son Jesus, an outpouring so intense that for some brief period of time it caused Jesus to be seperated from His father, then the One who pours out that wrath has the complete right to determine how one receives the grace merited by the payment of sin through Jesus.
And as we all know, numerous times, through Jesus and through the apostles, God directed the Holy Spirit to speak through them concerning how we receive grace, and that is by repenting and submitting our lives to the Lordship of Jesus. Jesus Himself is recorded as having stated that the way is narrow and that few enter.
I do not understand how to speak out against a system of belief that gives a false emotional hope that all people will eventually be saved is to misunderstand the nature of grace. My understanding of grace is that it has come at a great cost through Jesus, to those whom choose to follow Him in this life, not those who then realize after this life how badly they desire to be in His presence. (See Luke 16:19-31, esp v26)
Well, in a way. But Bell's book (and the review of it, tacitly) both argue that the church is guilty of another injustice. I see books like this one as a valuable balance for people like us who may have heard a narrowed gospel growing up. I stopped thinking Rob Bell spoke with the voice of the Metatron awhile ago, but I still think he has a lot of valuable perspective to give to the churched. It bothers me that so much of our time and preaching/teaching/leading can be wasted on poor theology of a conservative stripe. That anyone is doing anything valuable to balance that is super rad, and I'll take it (just about) any way I can get it.
As for Universalism: No, I think we're pretty much on the same page Chris. I believe that grace belongs to God, and that we cannot earn it. That's why I don't think Universalism cheapens grace; if that's how God decides to get things done, that's just how it works.
Who God chooses to save or not save does not change the essential value of Jesus' sacrifice. There are some people who would say that claiming the lordship of Jesus and following him is a response to grace and salvation, not it's requirement. The elect do not elect themselves, and since both your theology (I hope) and Universalism support that statement as truth, one is no cheaper than the other.
Which doesn't mean that Universalism is true. There is a reason that historically the Church has called it a heresy. I just believe that the only thing that could cheapen grace is if we have a part in it.
And as I read and clarify:
Not that 'conservative' theology is by it's nature poor! I'm just referring to the fact that every arm of the church's thought leans to it's own excesses and failings.
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