Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Love Wins – The Rob Bell Controversy – The Toxic Teachings of Jesus – Comment Two (Pt. 2)

In his book "Love Wins," Rob Bell says,
“the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better.”
Bell seems to have a problem with the view that a small portion of humanity will be selected to enjoy eternal bliss with the Creator while a large number will be sentenced to eternal punishment where there is no hope for any improvement in their condition for all eternity. Where did the church ever come up with such an idea? In Mark 9:34 & 46 Jesus said, "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." 46. "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." I will deal with Bell's interpretation of this text at a later time. Suffice it to say that Jesus seems clear enough about the eternal state of the righteous contrasted with that of the wicked. Jesus also said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt. 7:14) It would seem that Bell's argument is not only against long held Christian doctrine, it is against the views of Jesus Himself. Is it really that simple? Is it really that clear? Yes, some things are really that simple and that clear. In fact, most things in Scripture are really that simple and that clear. There are few things in Scripture that are difficult to understand. But they do exist. Take care, however, that you do not use that as an excuse to come behind in diligence. Peter said that those who twist even Paul's difficult teachings into something else do so to their own destruction. The Word of God is holy and requires the greatest degree of care in its handling. This means me, you, and even Rob Bell.

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