ouch! all too true
All this brouhaha over books and theology and who believes what and how they believe it is starting to rub thin… I mean, who cares if Rob Bell doesn’t believe in hell, or believes in a different version of hell, or if this church has 9 official points of doctrine, but the other one has 49, and so on…
As my friend Chad noted on my previous post:
- Oh how I wonder if all of the posting I see about Rob Bell’s books are just opportunities for people on all sides of the issues to virtually pleasure themselves with blog posts and facebook updates. And, here I myself am indulging in the opportunity. Damn it! They will know we are Christians by our: a) certitude! b) love!, c) prolific internet postings!, d) choice of beverage!
OK, OK. I’m guilty as charged.
But enough theological wrangling already (and many of you know I live for such wrangling, in appropriate ways and settings).
Isn’t it time we all start doing something?
I have to admit, I’m looking forward to reading Bell’s book, and from what I can tell, he has some very good and important things to say in it, and some friends say, “It’s his best book yet.” I think Bell would want us to read his book, and be so moved by the love of God to tell someone else about it, and make a difference in a real way. But as David Fitch notes in his post, The Rob Bell Fiasco, if we keep going as is (in our endless attempts to criticize his or anyone else’s theology), “the aftermath… is going to devolve into defensiveness and fail to produce a missional movement.”
It’s time to remember what we’re all in this Christianity thing for: to follow Jesus. To extend the kingdom of God. To be those who help the poor, the broken, the displaced. To bring good news.
Thankfully, amid the frenzy, many are doing exactly that:
- My sister and mom are heading to Haiti tomorrow – check out the trip on their blog: Hearts 4 Mission.
- Others are responding in many ways to the disaster in Japan: CRWRC and The Red Cross.
- My friends Bradley and Kirsten are forming an organization that seeks to springboard people who’ve experienced a short-term trip to move into missional lifestyles.
- Others are making a difference in ways, large and small, in their local community and abroad, to bring healing, help, and the hope of Jesus.
As fun as some conversations are, may they not just be to see ‘who’s right’, but to push us forward into a deeper love for Jesus, and to embody the kingdom in ways that actually make a difference.
