Love Wins (8)

 

Chapter 8 of Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins, is entitled “The End is Here.” Bell begins this chapter by telling the story of his childhood conversion and prayer. He concludes it by saying…

“I tell you that story because I believe that the indestructible love of God is an unfolding, dynamic reality and that every single one of us is endlessly being invited to trust, accept, believe, embrace and experience it. Whatever words you find helpful for describing this act of trust, Jesus invites us to say yes to this love of God, again and again and again.” [Kindle, location 94%]

After reading this comment I think I now know why Bell and I are on opposite pages. His claim throughout the book is basically that the “hell” we experience is of our own making because we do not claim the indestructible love of God for ourselves.

What Rob Bell misunderstands is that when individuals reject the invitation “to trust, accept, believe, embrace and experience” the love of God, there are eternal consequences set in place by God. Not everyone is going to accept that divine invitation.

I totally understand Bell’s angst. I think every thoughtful and respectful Christian agonizes over the reality that not all people are going to accept the invitation of the “indestructible love of God.” But our agony cannot determine the divine response to sin and broken relationships with God.

Yes, Jesus invites us to “yes” to the love of God, again and again and again!” We all believe that! What we do not believe is that a rejection of that invitation carries only consequences here and now of our own misery and making.

I am glad that I ordered this book on my Kindle and have spent the last 8 weeks reading it for the following reasons:

1. It helps me understand where the younger generation is coming from with an almost disdain for traditional ways of thinking and articulating the Christian faith.


2. It helps me understand how people are trying to make the Bible concept of hell more palatable.


3. It helps me understand how individuals view Scripture, not as much as authoritatively transforming and defining their lives, but rather a jumping off place for creating one’s theology for the world.


4. It helps me be aware of how vigorous and vital theological discussions are in our culture right now!


5. It helps me appreciate the effort to wrestle with the deepest issues of life and destiny.


6. It helps me appreciate my own theological journey and formulations.


7. It helps me realize that someone needs to write a serious response to this book.


8. It helps me pray for Christians who are getting lost in the ideological, cultural and spiritual landscape, groping for something to say that will be palatable for all.


9. It helps me re-evaluate my own faith. Why do I believe what I believe?


10. It helps me with a starting point for serious discussion with those who are reading and digesting Rob Bell’s book.


11. It helps me understand the emergent/emerging mindset and its reaction against traditional Christianity.


12. And, it helps me explore the most meaningful experiences and metaphors of my own Christian walk that I can share with others!

I am thankful that this book was written. I always applaud efforts of individuals who are trying to grapple with ways to articulate the good news in a world that is filled with so much bad news. Someone from a more traditional viewpoint of the Christian faith needs to write a response with the book title: “God Invites.” It is not about love winning. It is ultimately about God’s invitation and whether or not we accept it. If we accept it, it is good news. If we reject it, it is bad news.

In Christian love, Curtis