This is a follow up to my last post about the promo video for Rob Bell's upcoming book release, Love Wins.
Disclaimer: I haven't read the book yet, and I'm really not making any judgements on the book itself; this is just about the video promo. If and when I read the book, I'll have a whole separate thing about it.
My Bible teacher showed us the video today. I didn't even have to bring it up, I should've known he would! Anyway, he had some GREAT insight on it. He asked the class what we thought of it, and a couple people were like "it was cool" and "it was like BAM!" haha. I said "it kind of sounded like he was doubting himself. Like when he said "Jesus saves us from God"? I'm not sure what he meant by that, and I've never heard it put that way..." and my teacher said, "That sounds to me like a man who beats his wife, drives her to the hospital and says 'look, I saved you!'" I LOVED that by the way. A boy brought up that Rob could've meant Jesus saved us from God's wrath in which case Rob just needs to be careful how he words things.
The main part of the discussion, though, was about Rob saying "But what kind of God is that, that we would need to be rescued from this God? How could that God ever be good? How could that God ever be trusted? And how could that ever be Good News?" My teacher set up a scenario. We're in a courtroom. Say I kill someone. Judge (God) says, "Did you kill this person?" I plead guilty. Judge: "You're sentenced to life in prison." Jesus: "Don't punish her, I'll take her punishment." This is what happens. What Rob is implying is that a loving God would never sentence millions of people to death.
Well look at this:
"Did you kill this person?"
“Yes."
“Oh, ok. Well you can go free and keep on doing whatever you were doing.”
Is that loving? Is that anything like the character of God? No! God is a just judge (Psalm 145:17). Besides, if He just let everyone go free, what would be the point of missions? What would be the point of Jesus? The whole thing just crumbles if you go Universalist.
The reality is: God is Holy (1 Peter 1:16 and countless other verses). Holiness: separation from everything profane and defiling; and at the same time, it is dedication to everything holy and pure (Spirit Filled Life Bible 171). See, sinners are literally separated from God. Way back when sin entered into the world, the world became cursed. Adam and Eve and their children and everyone who was to be born from then on were cursed. Sin nature took over. We are born sinful beings. God can’t even look at us because of His holiness. It was impossible for us to be with God. That’s why Jesus comes into the picture. He had to take the punishment for us. When Jesus was up on that cross with all of the world's sin upon Him, darkness covered the earth, and Jesus asks God why He has forsaken Him. (Matthew 27:45-46). But once the sacrifice was made, there was a way! (John 14:6). Once we accept the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are born again. God sees us holy. That’s love. That. is. LOVE.
So that is why a loving God sends people to hell. It’s impossible for something unholy to coexist with something that is holy. Hell is a place of eternal separation from God.
Does that make sense now?
I just went off on a huge tangent. I’m pretty sure I’ve never used 2 Bibles and a concordance to write a blog post, but I quite enjoyed it. I should do this again.
Now back to the book. I still don’t know if Rob Bell is a Universalist. He could’ve just spoken without thinking in that video and the book explains sort of what I just explained. I don’t know though. I can’t know until I read it. Either way, just pray for him during this. If anything, pray that he’ll see his error and somehow offer an explanation or something.
Thanks for reading!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover...or Video Promo
Today America is freaking out about Rob Bell. Apparently he has a new book coming out, and by the video promo he posted, it looks like he might be taking on some Universalist (theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved) beliefs. Now, this is just the promo. Not the book yet. So we don't really know.
I'm thinking I may read this book when it comes out, but I'm not sure if I'm prepared to go that deep into it. I just learned about Universalism this year. But I might run it by my Bible teacher and see what he says.
Some thoughts from Justin Taylor...
Here is HarperCollins’s description of his next book, Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.
Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a downloadable podcast reaching 50,000 more. An electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” Rob Bell is the most vibrant, central religious leader of the millennial generation. Now, in Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering. With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly optimistic—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.
I haven’t seen the book yet and was hesitant to say something based on the publisher’s description (which usually isn’t written by the author). But this video from Bell himself shows that he is moving farther and farther away from anything resembling biblical Christianity:
LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.
So yeah. I don't think it's right to jump to conclusions. People should at least wait and read the book before they go all accusatory. I really hope that they're all wrong. I've seen Rob Bell's videos and they've really made me think and have helped me grow. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking I may read this book when it comes out, but I'm not sure if I'm prepared to go that deep into it. I just learned about Universalism this year. But I might run it by my Bible teacher and see what he says.
Some thoughts from Justin Taylor...
Here is HarperCollins’s description of his next book, Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.
Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a downloadable podcast reaching 50,000 more. An electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” Rob Bell is the most vibrant, central religious leader of the millennial generation. Now, in Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering. With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly optimistic—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.
I haven’t seen the book yet and was hesitant to say something based on the publisher’s description (which usually isn’t written by the author). But this video from Bell himself shows that he is moving farther and farther away from anything resembling biblical Christianity:
LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.
So yeah. I don't think it's right to jump to conclusions. People should at least wait and read the book before they go all accusatory. I really hope that they're all wrong. I've seen Rob Bell's videos and they've really made me think and have helped me grow. Any thoughts?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Heck Yeah!
One of my favorite things in life is when I discover an awesome song by just having my ipod on shuffle. I have over 2000 songs on there, and obviously I haven't listened to every single song yet. Most of the ones I haven't listened to are the ones I downloaded from NoiseTrade (totally legal, yo!) or Hear it First or bands that just feel like giving away their music for free!
anyway, today's discovery was "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" by House of Heroes. I believe I downloaded their album from Amazon for like 3 bucks or something way back when, and I might've listened to it once while I was doing other stuff, so obviously I barely remembered anything. But today I found this gem, and it is a beauty.
anyway, today's discovery was "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" by House of Heroes. I believe I downloaded their album from Amazon for like 3 bucks or something way back when, and I might've listened to it once while I was doing other stuff, so obviously I barely remembered anything. But today I found this gem, and it is a beauty.
Friday, February 18, 2011
This Week
This week was a great week! 'cept monday, but that's cool.
Quotes:
"Is that Paul McCartney & the Eagles?" -Eric
2 problems with this one. #1 should be obvious, and #2, we were listening to a Guns & Roses song. poor Eric!
"There's a cougar in the bathroom...but not that kind." -Blake
"I'm more tired than an 18-wheeler." -Me
I tweeted it, but apparently it wasn't as funny as I thought it was. no one's @relplied me in over a month. not that I care or anything. I also thought I made it up, but I just googled it and someone beat me to it last October. bummer! I did tell people in Bible class today and they appreciated it!
there wasn't really anymore funny stuff that I can think of now. ah well!
my blog has been so boring lately! fah!
bye!
Quotes:
"Is that Paul McCartney & the Eagles?" -Eric
2 problems with this one. #1 should be obvious, and #2, we were listening to a Guns & Roses song. poor Eric!
"There's a cougar in the bathroom...but not that kind." -Blake
"I'm more tired than an 18-wheeler." -Me
I tweeted it, but apparently it wasn't as funny as I thought it was. no one's @relplied me in over a month. not that I care or anything. I also thought I made it up, but I just googled it and someone beat me to it last October. bummer! I did tell people in Bible class today and they appreciated it!
there wasn't really anymore funny stuff that I can think of now. ah well!
my blog has been so boring lately! fah!
bye!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
"I don't speak Texan!"
hahaha. Winter Jam last night was great!! Pictures will come at some point. Maybe tomorrow.
David Crowder Band was the best. I got their new album there for $5. I'm listening now. It's one of those that's gonna have to grow on me. Cause when I already know a couple songs off an album, when I actually listen to the whole thing, it's weird. Like I don't like any other songs until the 2nd or 3rd time I listen. I'm just weird in general, so this shouldn't be surprising.
I love how my facebook page has basically turned into a radio station! haha. I love music, so I've been posting some of my favorite songs on there every couple days. I wonder if people actually listen to them. If they don't, then whatever!
ok, I'm really tired. I don't know what I'm gonna do next, but it'll probably be far away from this computer.
Bye!
David Crowder Band was the best. I got their new album there for $5. I'm listening now. It's one of those that's gonna have to grow on me. Cause when I already know a couple songs off an album, when I actually listen to the whole thing, it's weird. Like I don't like any other songs until the 2nd or 3rd time I listen. I'm just weird in general, so this shouldn't be surprising.
I love how my facebook page has basically turned into a radio station! haha. I love music, so I've been posting some of my favorite songs on there every couple days. I wonder if people actually listen to them. If they don't, then whatever!
ok, I'm really tired. I don't know what I'm gonna do next, but it'll probably be far away from this computer.
Bye!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
"Is This the Sham-Wow?"
hahaha. please check out the Watch This page. my friends mallory and jonah showed me this yesterday and it's great. I can do the "wouldja look at that?" perfectly according to them. hahah. "is this the sham-wow?" is my favorite line.
this week has been awesometastic.
and I don't feel like blogging right now.
so bye!
this week has been awesometastic.
and I don't feel like blogging right now.
so bye!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Dear _______: 6th edition
1st edition//2nd edition//3rd edition//4th[lyrical]edition//5th edition
hahah I LOVE doing this! in case you couldn't tell.
Dear 1: you are awesome. one of the best guitar players I know, yo.
Dear 2: you are also awesome. I respect drummers because I'm a terrible drummer. I need to learn at some point. but anyway, you rock!
Dear 3: I love you!!! I always enjoy helping you out :)
Dear 4: I hope you get better reallllly soon cause we need to go to winterjam together!! And because I just want you to feel better in general!
Dear 5: I enjoy being hated with you. it's fun. not really. but this will end...maybe!
Dear 6: I hope you let me have some input when I ask you about something tuesday! just giving you a heads up even though you don't read this and you wouldn't know this was to you anyway!
Dear 7 and 8: ugh! could you be less jerky maybe? thanks.
Dear 9: just when I thought I might wanna be your friend, you prove that you're even more of a yerka-faca than I originally thought! I hope you realize it.
Dear 10: once again...
wow. I don't even know what to say! besides I think you're amazing. I know you're amazing! and you probably don't think of me that way, and it's frustrating. but you can't make someone like you. and it kills me every time I think about the fact that you're gonna be out of my life pretty soon here. well continue being amazing, ok? I know you're gonna do great things!
source
Dear 11: I like that you read my blog. you're really cool! I love texting you. but we haven't texted in awhile so I'm gonna text you soon. haha.
Dear 12 and 13: you two are really nice. thank you for being my new friends this school year! I love talking to you guys.
The End!
hahah I LOVE doing this! in case you couldn't tell.
Dear 1: you are awesome. one of the best guitar players I know, yo.
Dear 2: you are also awesome. I respect drummers because I'm a terrible drummer. I need to learn at some point. but anyway, you rock!
Dear 3: I love you!!! I always enjoy helping you out :)
Dear 4: I hope you get better reallllly soon cause we need to go to winterjam together!! And because I just want you to feel better in general!
Dear 5: I enjoy being hated with you. it's fun. not really. but this will end...maybe!
Dear 6: I hope you let me have some input when I ask you about something tuesday! just giving you a heads up even though you don't read this and you wouldn't know this was to you anyway!
Dear 7 and 8: ugh! could you be less jerky maybe? thanks.
Dear 9: just when I thought I might wanna be your friend, you prove that you're even more of a yerka-faca than I originally thought! I hope you realize it.
Dear 10: once again...
source
Dear 11: I like that you read my blog. you're really cool! I love texting you. but we haven't texted in awhile so I'm gonna text you soon. haha.
Dear 12 and 13: you two are really nice. thank you for being my new friends this school year! I love talking to you guys.
The End!
Friday, February 4, 2011
"I LOVE SANDWICHES!"
So tonight I achieved my last goal on my "Sophomore Goal List". woohoo!
Man this week has been the busiest week that I can remember! Craziness. That's why I haven't blogged in awhile. I've had almost zero free time this week. But now I have some, so yay! But right now I'm extremely tired, so I might go to bed soon.
I really don't know what I'm saying anymore because I'm kind of freaking out right now. It's weird. And no I won't explain. So onto the end!
A few quotes I remember from this week:
"And Magua jumped over the great divide, which is apparently just a big gap..." -Blake
"My mom took french class...all she remembers is 'redneck' and 'shut up'!" -Carly
"Ms. K, do you tweeter?" -Eric
"I LOVE SANDWICHES!" -Me/Carly
Bye!
Man this week has been the busiest week that I can remember! Craziness. That's why I haven't blogged in awhile. I've had almost zero free time this week. But now I have some, so yay! But right now I'm extremely tired, so I might go to bed soon.
I really don't know what I'm saying anymore because I'm kind of freaking out right now. It's weird. And no I won't explain. So onto the end!
A few quotes I remember from this week:
"And Magua jumped over the great divide, which is apparently just a big gap..." -Blake
"My mom took french class...all she remembers is 'redneck' and 'shut up'!" -Carly
"Ms. K, do you tweeter?" -Eric
"I LOVE SANDWICHES!" -Me/Carly
Bye!
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