In Rob Bell's book, Love Wins, he presents the belief that hell is here on earth. Hell is the pain and suffering, here, now. This isn't a new idea that Bell is presenting.
For example, here is a video of Ronnie James Dio talking about his views on religion, and in particularly, heaven and hell, since the name the first Black Sabbath album he was singer for was entitled, Heaven and Hell. In this video, he explains what heaven and hell both mean to him in that song...
The answer to the existence of heaven and hell, however, shouldn't be based on the beliefs of a rock singer, or any human for that matter. How can any of us know for certain what lies after death... unless that has been revealed to us by God.
We need to be careful to not let our own feelings and thoughts get in the way of what God has revealed to us in his Word. What does God's Word say about the existence of hell?
Matthew 10:28 says, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
A clear reading of this passage, indicates that the soul goes on after the death of the body. In fact, there is the indication that the soul will be reunited with the body in the future and both will be in hell.
This of course is not good news. This is God's law that brings wrath and judgment. However, there is freedom from sin, death, devil, and hell. If you don't know John 3:16, please look it up. If you have doubts about God's Word, look through this blog, look through the articles connected to the "What's in the Bible?" and the "Why Believe the Bible?" links at the top left of this blog.
In his new book "Love Wins" Rob Bell seems to say that loving and compassionate people, regardless of their faith, will not be condemned to eternal hell just because they do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
ReplyDeleteConcepts of an afterlife vary between religions and among divisions of each faith. Here are three quotes from "the greatest achievement in life," my free ebook on comparative mysticism:
(46) Few people have been so good that they have earned eternal paradise; fewer want to go to a place where they must receive punishments for their sins. Those who do believe in resurrection of their body hope that it will be not be in its final form. Few people really want to continue to be born again and live more human lives; fewer want to be reborn in a non-human form. If you are not quite certain you want to seek divine union, consider the alternatives.
(59) True mystics transcend apparent manifestations of the theatrical production called “this life.” Theirs is not simply a search for meaning, but discovery of what is, i.e. the Real underlying the seeming realities. Their objective is not heaven, gardens, paradise, or other celestial places. It is not being where the divine lives, but to be what the divine essence is here and now.
(80) [referring to many non-mystics] Depending on their religious convictions, or personal beliefs, they may be born again to seek elusive perfection, go to a purgatory to work out their sins or, perhaps, pass on into oblivion. Lives are different; why not afterlives? Beliefs might become true.
Rob Bell asks us to reexamine the Christian Gospel. People of all faiths should look beyond the letter of their sacred scriptures to their spiritual message. As one of my mentors wrote "In God we all meet."
Ron, thanks for your comments. If I understand your comments correctly, we disagree.
ReplyDeleteOC Apologist, stands for On Christ Apologist. This site is for Christian Apologetics. As a Christian, I do believe that the Bible, my sacred scripture to use your terminology, is the inspired Word of God. I trust it above my own thoughts and feelings to be the ultimate source and norm of my theology.
I would say that no one has been good enough to earn eternal paradise. The easiest quote for this is Romans 3-5, in which this is very clearly spoken in the Bible. For Christians, salvation must come from above. Salvation is by grace through faith.
I do believe that the Bible gives an explanation for the meaning of life. Christians were first called, Followers of the Way. That way would be the way of Jesus Christ, which is seeking as you said, "the divine essence here and now" through a personal relationship with the divine through the person of Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh.
Thoughts of heaven and hell, for a Christian who believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, really need to base their beliefs on heaven and hell from the Bible.
Yes, we do disagree, but I respect your beliefs. I'm sure you would understand that most Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and others have same faith in their sacred scriptures and the teachings of their founders. Genuine belief, however, is preferable to non-belief.
ReplyDeleteAs one of my personal mentors wrote:
Let the Hindu, the Moslem, the Christian, the Jew emphasize the spirit and not the letter of their scriptures, and all religious quarrels will stop. All religions are challenged today by a common enemy: the rising tide of skepticism and secularism.” It is the latter which is a greater threat.
I agree. I see the increase of secularism within Christianity, and other religions too.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with that first part of your quote as well, however, any religion which claims exclusive truth, must take a stand for that truth found within sacred scriptures, otherwise their religion will also be lost.
What I hear you presenting strips away what makes each religion truly unique and attractive to their adherents in the first place, which I see as actually being very intolerant, although I hear that you respect my beliefs.
I like to think that I respect your beliefs too, however, I have to acknowledge that they are quite different, and that we both can't be correct.
Keep writing, sharing, and searching Ron.
Out of curiosity, how did you find this blog?
Frankly, I don't recall how I found this blog.
ReplyDeleteYou lived in China. I attended Lucknow University on a Carnegie grant. See http://www.peacenext.org/profile/RonKrumpos
You said "we both can't be correct." Most mundane truths are relative. Absolute truth, i.e. divine truth, cannot be grasped by the human mind. What is is, whether we believe, think or desire otherwise.
i reaally agreee that we should afraid the peeople who can kill your soul but not the body
ReplyDelete