I read an article online today titled "Pastor loses job after doubting hell's existence." This pastor had put a link on Facebook supporting a book written by Rob Bell called Love Wins. There's a youtube promotion of the book that is really controversial, where the author describes a Christian art show featuring a quote from Gandhi. Someone had attached a note to the piece saying: "Reality check: He's in hell."
The article goes on: "In the book, Bell criticizes the belief that a select number of Christians will spend eternity in the bliss of heaven while everyone else is tormented forever in hell.
"This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus' message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that our world desperately needs to hear," he writes in the book."
Obviously, the traditional Christian idea of hell isn't quite the same as mine as a Mormon, but I still think these are really interesting questions that Rob Bell is exploring. He's looking at everything he's been taught and openly questioning some things that don't seem to make sense, and trying to reason out what he believes to be true. I'm not putting this discussion on here as a way to justify my own beliefs, I just really admire this man for trying to find the truth even when it exposes him to so much criticism and scorn from his peers.
Here is the youtube video of the book promotion.
8 comments:
Are you going to read the book?
Thanks for posting this Breanne. I agree with you that this is really interesting and I find it so refreshing to hear someone discuss it. The concept of "hell" used to really rattle me as a kid until I gained a better understanding of the gospel. Its one of the best things I learned at BYU! Have you seen the movie 'Hereafter'? It talks about people's perceptions of the afterlife and the stigma that comes with "belief." Pretty cool...
Yay for everyone searching for truth! I don’t know if mine are common or “radical” opinions, but here are my two cents on heaven/hell: People should get baptized, etc. but everyone leading good lives will go to heaven. Hell is a small place for Satan, Judas, and maybe like three other guys. Almost all of God’s children will return to Him.
Dad - I think I might!
Amy Jo - I haven't seen that movie, I'll have to check it out (or at least do a wikipedia search). =)
Hannah - Good comments. So how important is baptism, in your opinion?
I'm not sure. I have a confusing relationship with ordinances. Here's where I stand on it today: people should get baptized and do the other ordinances if they have the opportunity and desire, but if they don't then God will work it out after they die.
Thanks, Hannah. It seems like there are lots of people out there who feel like it has to be a black-and-white issue, but life is hardly ever that way.
Breanne, I can't believe I emailed you about this, because I think I obviously heard about it from you via the blog. Facepalm. Either way, I really like Hannah's approach. I think we'll all get back to Heaven.
Lol Stephanie. I just started reading it and I'm really enjoying it so far.
Post a Comment