Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

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Rob Bell Comes [Somewhat] Clean – Transcript and Comments

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I was recently made aware of this statement by Rob Bell posted to YouTube. This is in response to the hubbub about his recent book Love Wins, which I have not read and upon which I cannot comment. I did previously make some comments about an interview that Rob did with Martin Bashir. My post containing the comments can be found at http://wp.me/pSrkv-43.

Here is the “confession” of Rob Bell:

A friend requested that I comment on what Rob says. So to make sure that my comments are accurate, I first thought I would transcribe what he says. By my count, he makes 16 statements as to what he believes. Here is what he says:

I believe:

  1. In Jesus
  2. Jesus is the way
  3. in Heaven
  4. in Hell
  5. the Bible is God’s word
  6. I’m not a universalist because I believe God’s love is so great he lets you decide
  7. in the communion of the saints
  8. the church is the fullness
  9. in the New Heaven and the New Earth
  10. in Healing
  11. in miracles
  12. in salvation
  13. in the power of prayer
  14. that God is alive and working
  15. that there has been a resurrection and there is a whole new creation bursting forth right here in the midst of this one
  16. it is best to only discuss books you’ve actually read

Comment 16 is unfair because the critiques that I read were in response to sections of the book and statements by Rob Bell that were released prior to publication to drum up interest in the book. Each of the critiques stated the source of the material they were criticizing and each critic allowed that the final version of the book might have rendered their critique moot.

I don’t have any issue with the rest of the statements as far as they go. None of these statements are in direct disagreement with Scripture. These statements are the theological equivalent of “motherhood and apple pie” statements in politics. There is nothing to take issue with.

The problem is, depending on how the terms are defined, cults could be in agreement with these statements due to their generic nature. I am not saying that any of these statements cause me to believe that Rob Bell is in error. I am saying that further definition of each of these items would have to be made to have a better understanding of what he really believes.

For example, Rob states that he believes in Hell. Does he believe in an eternal place of torment to which those who reject Jesus will inhabit? Is that what he means by Hell? It could be, but his statement provides insufficient evidence as to his understanding of Hell (which was the point in question in the critiques).

Being vague may be a valuable skill in politics, but it should not be the method followed in Christian ministry. I am willing to give Mr. Bell the benefit of the doubt, but I do wish he would be more precise in his statements and spend a little more energy in articulating a cohesive set of beliefs with Scriptural support for each belief.

Stop, Look and Listen – Three Steps to Better Communication

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communication I’m not naturally good at listening. Listening is a skill that has taken effort for me to develop. I have to force myself to slow down and take in what the other person is saying rather than focus on what I am going to say next.

Recently, in thinking about the skill of listening, the phrase “stop, look and listen” came to me. It seems applicable to developing the skill for listening, not just for trains, but in the midst of conversation. Here is why I think this phrase is helpful:

  • Stop – stop the self focused mental process so that I can hear and understand what the other person is saying. Decide to really hear.
  • Look – Look at the other person. Make eye contact. Observe his body language. Take in all the clues to communication.
  • Listen – By stopping and looking, I am now in a position to listen.

So, the suggestion to stop, look and listen will help you at a railroad crossing and in your next conversation.

What are some other suggestion you have for developing the skill of listening?

The View From the Boat

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BoatStatistics show that when given an opportunity to walk on water, 91.7% are too timid to try. Peter was the only one bold or impetuous enough to jump out. The other eleven stayed in the boat and watched from over the rail.

One of the things that prevents me from jumping out of the boat is that I sometimes take responsibility for the outcome rather than trusting the outcome to God. If I take this responsibility, I then get waylaid by fear of failure.

I am learning to let the results in God’s hands and focus on what has been put on my plate for today. I only need to step out in obedience. Perhaps this is part of the intention behind the statement, “give me this day my daily bread.”

Paul gave some advice to Timothy which seems to support this line of reasoning. In 2 Timothy 1:6-8, we read:

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Like Timothy I am to work at developing the gift that I have been given. I am to step out in boldness and use it. To do so requires that I get out of the boat. It is often uncomfortable to step out. It is sometimes painful to step out, but I must step out of the boat.

Why should I do this? Because I am not given a spirit of fear, but one of power. Timothy was to tap into that power and be used by it to boldly proclaim the message of God. I am to tap into that power to be used by God for whatever he has for me to do.

But what if the message is rejected or if the messenger is persecuted for bringing the message? The results are in God’s hands and Timothy should not be ashamed of what to human eyes appears to be failure. Paul’s chains do not represent failure in God’s eyes, they are part of his plan. Therefore, they are not to be a source of shame.

I am not responsible for the outcome, I am only responsible to be obedient. I am to work hard to develop my skills. I am to be diligent in study and practice. I am to use every opportunity to use my gifts. There is no free ride.

The best news of all is that God is fully in control and if I am doing what he has gifted me to do then the outcome is assured to be a good one. I like that and when I rest in that, I am free to do my best without fear of failure or criticism.

LiveJournal Tags: Fear,failure,criticism,outcome,Timothy,Peter,Paul

Even Lawyers Can’t Mess This Up

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Chained Bible At our church, we are studying through the book of 2 Timothy in the New Testament. A line from Chapter 2 struck me where Paul writes, “but the word of God is not bound.” Paul is saying that even though he himself is bound, Scripture cannot be put in chains.

Our society is becoming increasingly restrictive as to when, where and how Scripture can be displayed or read out loud. Efforts are made to prevent the Bible from speaking into our society in an effort to live free from moral restraint. Lawyers around the country have brought suit to remove the Bible from mainstream thought.

When Charles Spurgeon was asked how to defend the Bible, his response became a classic. He suggested that those who attack the Bible are like men who seek to attack a caged lion with clubs. In that case, one does not have to defend the lion, one merely has to let him out of his cage and he will defend himself.

A couple of applications come to mind.

First, in light of the recent ruckus over the burning of the Koran (which was an inherently stupid thing to do), I suggest that burning of the pages of the Bible would not produce the desired result. We do not venerate the paper and leather on which Scripture is printed and bound, we venerate the words themselves as coming to us from God. However symbolic the Bible burner considers his act, neither God, nor the Church is diminished by it.

Another application of this is that we should take any opportunity to read, teach, preach and distribute the Bible. God promises that Scripture cannot be bound and it will affect change. My reading it will change me. My teaching it will change others. This is an appetite that can and should be passed on, a healthy addiction.

The reason why enemies of faith border on paranoia about the Bible is that the Chief Enemy knows how effective it is in changing individuals and society for good.

We should take this opposition as a sign that our efforts to teach Scripture are not in vain. God will bless the distribution of his Word. With regard to standing against the Enemy of Scripture, I will end with the advice of Winston Churchill:

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

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