Unhappy, though not unexpected news.

Rob Bell

A number of friends posted this article from Justin Taylor's blog about Rob Bell's latest book and what it apparently affirms.  According to the publisher's notes, it states Bell's belief in universal salvation--a Hell without people because they will be redeemed regardless of what they believed about God and Jesus in this life.

It is unhappy news for a number of reasons.  I have friends who have worked at Rob Bell's church in Grand Rapids, and many who have been influenced by his NOOMA videos.  I have heard some of Rob's teaching in the past that was thought provoking and helpful.  But his movements over the years have always been away from orthodoxy as historically understood, and his embrace of universalism would be a logical next step.  Hence the "not unexpected" caveat.

It seems that all those who predicted that people like Brian McLaren and Rob Bell, who were "edgy" and "asking the right questions," would lead the church in new directions were correct.  Those directions, unfortunately, are the direction of heresy--denial of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus by McLaren, and now the denial of eternal punishment by Bell.  Add to that the acceptance of homosexual practice by a number of what used to be called "emergent" leaders from the village of the same name, and you have created the perfect storm for "I told you so's" from the traditionalist camp.  They are generally deserved, because in many cases they were right on target.

Let's just make sure we don't make this the proof that we should never change anything or think differently than previous generations about anything--after all, good, historic Protestants have always believed the church is "reformed, yet always reforming."

Praying God's Promises

(This was the previous "inspirational" thought for the day in the Greene County Dailies from January 20th).

My wife and I are going through Charles Spurgeon’s “Cheque Book on the Bank of Faith,” his daily reminders of the various promises of God.  His purpose in writing was simple—to cause believers in God’s Word to actively pray for what God has promised to his children.  Each day we have been reminded of some provision that the Father makes for those who follow His Son.  As I have looked at these promises, I’ve been struck by two truths.   First, there are many things I ask God for that he has not promised—health for me or my loved ones, positive outcomes in times of trouble, or even clear paths to follow Him.  Little wonder I sometimes struggle with unanswered prayer.  But I also often fail to pray for what he has promised—forgiveness, wisdom, mercy,  grace, endurance, holiness, and love, to name just a few.  Perhaps if I asked for more of what he says he will freely give, and a little less demandingly for things I assume should come to pass, my prayers (and my life) might be more pleasing to God and fruitful in my life.  I’m going to try—how about you?

Joel Rosenberg on the crisis in Egypt

I have great respect for Joel Rosenberg's analysis of events in the Middle East, and having read this post I recommend it to you as a summary of what is going on and the dangers that may lie ahead, not just for the rest of the world, but for Christians in the region.

Lost, then Found

(The following appeared in the Greene County Dailies on Thursday, where I know am officially a devotional columnist--providing an "inspirational" thought for the week.  I'll post them here for those who don't get those newspapers.)

An old preacher once said that for the lost sheep to be found, he has to get lost first.  He meant that we will not seek God’s mercy and grace until we realize just how much we need it.  Our experience of God’s goodness will not be awakened and grow until we first discover how little we deserve it.

One hindrance to that awakening is a loss of the concept of sin.  When I do wrong, I prefer to think of it as a mistake, often due to inability or lack of knowledge.  I don’t want to see any moral ramifications of my actions.  But there is such a thing as sin—the violation of God’s moral law, summarized in the ten commandments and applied to our attitudes as well as actions by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

What comfort does that bring—to say I don’t just make mistakes, but that I sin against God in action and thought?  Simply this—it is only for those who are (by their own admission) sinners that Christ died. You can’t be found by him until you know you’re lost! Fortunately, “I once was lost, but now am found!”

A Thoughtful Comment on the Re-writing of Huckleberry Finn

My good friend Grant Horner has a new post at his blog Profetcetera in which he tackles the recent announcement of a new edition of Mark Twain's classic novel, Huckleberry Finn, in which the offensive racial epithet that is used in the novel is changed to a non-offensive word.  Grant makes a strong case against this action, and I would simply say I agree with his analysis.  If you want to see a good example of a Christian applying good analysis in this situation, check out the post.

One quote I particularly enjoyed: "If satire has to be explained to you, you do not deserve its riches."  That's Grant at his professorial best!

Tim Keller's "Prodigal God" Tells The Story Straight

I seem to have providentially stumbled into a streak of soul-stirring and uplifting books.  The latest in this streak should not have surprised me, since Tim Keller's books have been powerful and edifying reads-- The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism--was an apologetic masterpiece (even in those places I disagreed with a point or two, I had to admit it was masterfully written); then Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (wow, the title says it all, but doesn't--read the book).

Now its The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith that has stirred by soul.  Keller's treatment of Luke 15's parable of the prodigal son is not original--he cites Edmund Clowney's sermon as his inspiration, and others have made similar points.  But I have not read as powerful a treatment as this short book.

Most compelling in my mind is his argument that the sons represent two equally dangerous rejections of the loving Father--either through total disregard of his character and desires, or through rigorous rule keeping that establishes a debt from the Father.  I think that my own life and my ministry seem to be much more challenged by the attitudes of the older, moral brother.  I would encourage anyone and everyone to read this book and see if you see yourself in the stories.

Dane Ortlund on "The Grace of God in the Bible"

Posting at his blog, Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology (what a delightful name--obviously showing the deliciousness of good doctrine), Dane Ortlund reflects on how God's grace is seen in every book of the Bible. Be blessed with this.