All posts tagged hell

An ugly subject is being brought into a brighter spotlight than ever. Rob Bell is releasing a book entitled “Love Wins” in which he appears to call into question the traditional idea of the Christian afterlife. More specifically, it looks as though Bell is abandoning the idea of eternal Hell.

In Love Wins, the argument is made that a merciful God could not possibly send a human soul to eternal punishment.

Justin Taylor blogged that Bell had come out of the closet as a Universalist, creating a firestorm in the social world.

Jon Piper posted a quick Facebook status, “Farewell, Rob Bell” dismissing him from the flock as a wolf.

There have been statements from publishers, dismissals from theologians on the subject, and support for Bell is decidedly split. And all of this is said without anyone having read the book yet. This controversy has sent presages of the book to #1 on the Amazon list.

If this shows anything, it is that this is the foremost issue facing the church today. Hell has offended both believers and nonbelievers for ages, but has recently and suddenly become politically incorrect. The iPad I’m typing on is even offended by the word. Without fail, it attempts to auto correct it to “He’ll” every time.

Whether or not you knew this discussion was even happening, it’s about to be brought to your attention. It will be more prominent than any televangelist scandal, more dividing than acceptance of homosexuality in the church. I humbly predict that councils and conventions will be held to reaffirm the doctrine, very soon.

I pray that this is handled in the most delicate way and can be intelligently discussed in pubic. Although I believe Hell to be an unavoidable aspect of biblical truth, the last thing our faith needs is coverage of our leaders championing the eternal punishment of human beings. It is not the central motivation of salvation, evangelism or the Gospel. My hope is that it never becomes central. Not by dismissing it or affirming it in any way.

Bottom line is, know what you believe, how to support it scripturally, and remember that Christ crucified and risen is our foundation.

Christ be lifted up in all things, even controversy.

Rob Bell’s own words:

LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.