Love Wins (calm down)

Here is an excerpt from a review of Rob Bell’s new book – Love Wins.

“If Love Wins is wrong – if the theology departs from the apostolic good deposit, if the biblical reasoning falls short in a hundred places, if the god of Love Wins and the gospel of Love Wins are profoundly mistaken – if all this is true, then what damage has been done to the souls of men and women? Bad theology hurts real people”.

Its pretty easy to find stuff like this written about Rob Bell’s new book. Its pretty easy to find things like this written about lots of books. I’m not interested in talking about Rob Bell’s book specifically (for one thing I’ve not read it) but I am interested in responses like this.

All I really wanted to say was this: just calm down a bit. I think the issues that Rob Bell is addressing are important – I genuinely do. But I’d also like to know what ‘damage has been done to the souls of men and women’ if he is wrong? Because its probably not a lot, is it? Probably just that he was wrong about some things and some people agreed with him and they were wrong also. I’m not sure it requires that we talk as though we are in Lord of the Rings so we can make things feel more dramatic. Absolutely, disagree with Rob Bell and lets talk about why. But be prepared for me to stand firm in my convictions lest the flames of destiny transport me via osmosis to a place where cool waters breath though the nostrils of an enormous dragonfly….. 

Honesty is a hard attribute to find

Love, as the prevailing thought, is an excellent base upon which to build this conversation. Sometimes I think its easy to forget this. 

This leads me on to a thought. Why is it so difficult to be honest in discussions about God/life/everything that matters? One the one hand, its probably hard precisely because it does matter.When the stakes feel (are?) so high, things get uncomfortable when honestly leads to difficult questions. On the other hand, if these things really are very important, surely its vitally important that we are as honest as we can be. Being afraid to say what we really think, or to ask the questions we really want to ask leaves us stuck. Perhaps more comfortable than we otherwise would be, but stuck.

I don't want to hold an image of God that is false. Ultimately, I'm sure parts (most?!) of my God images are wrong, but that shouldn't stop me trying to find out who God really is. When we box ourselves in through fear of asking the right questions, do we reduce the space in which our search for God is taking place? Does this ultimately lead us to a more limited understanding of who God is? I think it might. 

I hope this can be a place where honesty is valued rather than feared.  

Love - the prevailing thought

Of course we are probably wrong; and will probably go on being wrong until the day comes when there is no longer a 'wrong' to be. But in the pursuit of truth we aim only to get closer to that which we are chasing. I guess for us this is getting to know our maker, and by extension living in a way that honors and pleases him. And we do this together, which is not only great fun, but also essential. 

Let's begin with where we're at. let's be genuine and sincere, because where is the sense in pretending, and who are we deceiving but ourselves. Also nothing is quite as refreshing as authenticity.

I feel like 'love' somehow should should be the prevailing thought. As we question and as we live. So i hope this space will be a place of encouragement, and a sparring ground for ideas, questions, thoughts and all forms of critical thinking. Ultimately, I hope we can catch a glimpse of God. 

So yes, I'm excited, and don't forget honesty is valued here.