God cares about my eschatology…

A growing trend in modern Christianity is to take the teachings of the Scripture on eschatology and reduce them to some sort of cryptic, non-understandable, vague language. Since the exegesis is difficult (and it is), the assumption is made by many that God can’t possibly expect us to understand revealed truth in this area. Many end up saying something like, “Since so many Christians disagree on eschatology, we aren’t going to defend a certain position or make any dogmatic statements about any future events (or lack thereof).”

This attitude is prevalent in the emergent/emerging movement. Dan Kimball, for instance, shares this diagram on his blog. “How Jesus Will Return” is considered a non-core belief. I recognize that it is virtually impossible to make blanket statements concerning the emergent/emerging movement; however, many in the movement are willing to make very bold and assertive statements when it comes to desparaging dispensationalism or pre-millenial eschatology in general. The only eschatalogical view that is not tolerated with love and respect (which they constantly say fundamentalists lack) is that of the pre-trib., pre-mil., dispensationalists. One simple reason lurks behind this inconsistency; their understanding of the kingdom entirely drives the core of emerging/emergent belief. Dispensational eschatology is not compatible at all with the typical emerging/emergent view of the kingdom.

2 Timothy 2:16-18 16But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

These two men went astray (lit. missed the mark) from the truth by spreading a flawed eschatology — they said the resurrection had already happened.

I will not allow the comments section to become a never-ending debate on eschatology. But let me make this plain: God cares what we believe concerning eschatology; missing it is to miss the truth itself.

Critique: Rob Bell…Velvet Elvis (movements 4-5)

Movements 4 and 5 left me feeling both sick and outraged. Did Rob say some good things? Absolutely. However, amidst some good thoughts, Rob mixes in some more man-centered refuse — yet again, he describes a god who has faith in mankind (to see my previous discussions on this issue, click here).

Rob writes (page 134),

God has incredibly high view of people. God believes that people are capable of amazing things.

P.S. Velvet Elvis (movement 3)

—MUSIC— 

Rob writes,

It is possible for music to be labeled Christian and be terrible music.

When I first read that phrase, I agreed — that is, until I read what came next.

He continues,

It could lack creativity and inspiration. The lyrics could be recycled cliches. That “Christian” band could actually be giving Jesus a bad name because they aren’t a great band.

Critique: Rob Bell…Velvet Elvis (movement 3)

Rob warns the readers,

“Do that to this book. Don’t swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I’m a Christian and I’m trying to articulate a Christian worldview, doesn’t mean I’ve got it nailed.”

However, I think Rob really did nail the following:

“Just because it is a Christian book by a Christian author and it was purchased in a Christian bookstore doesn’t mean it’s all true or good or beautiful.”

Ironically, I couldn’t agree more! However, in Rob’s eyes it would be just as probable for me to find a good Christian book in a Hindu bookstore than in a Christian one — to Rob, being a Christian is all about embracing truth wherever we find it.

Rob Bell and Hell, ooze interview

The Dialogue…

You recently preached a sermon called “God wants to save Christians from hell.” I was discussing the message with a guy who after hearing this message was a bit disturbed and somehow came to the conclusion that you didn’t believe in a literal hell. Let me ask you, do you believe in a literal hell that is defined simply as eternal separation from God?

Rob: Well, there are people now who are seriously separated from God. So I would assume that God will leave room for people to say “no I don’t want any part of this.” My question would be, does grace win or is the human heart stronger than God’s love or grace. Who wins, does darkness and sin and hardness of heart win or does God’s love and grace win?

Critique: Rob Bell…Velvet Elvis (movement 2)

The second “movement” is one of the most dangerous things I have read in a long time — the subject: biblical authority and hermeneutics. I believe that Rob really misses the mark on this very important topic. Because many of the problems are subtle, many will read this review and think, “That’s no big deal!” Others will understand the gravity of what he is trying to communicate.

Rob repeatedly gives reference (in the endnotes) to a particular document entitled, “How Can the Bible be Authoritative?”, which was written by NT Wright (also an advocate and researcher for the so called “new perspective” on Paul). The transcript is available here. Rob says concerning this document that it is the

“best thing I have ever read about the Bible” (184)

Critique: Rob Bell…Velvet Elvis (movement 1)

It is not my intention to rip Rob’s words out of context. It is my aim to be Scriptural, coherent, and logical. Although I am passionate about the truth of Scripture, I will not allow my emotions to go on an anathematizing rampage; I expect the same from any who wish to comment.

The Good.

“It’s possible to believe all the right things and be miserable (page 35).”

So true, Rob. Thanks for the reminder.

Now for the The Bad

ONE —- While speaking of the words of Jesus in John 14:6, which reads:

I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me

Rob says,

“Jesus at one point claimed to be ‘the way, the truth, and the life.’ Jesus was not making claims about one religion being better than all other religions. That completely misses the point, the depth, and the truth. Rather, he was telling those who were following him that his way

Anyone have some soap for Tony’s mouth?

I can’t believe I missed this post over at Apprising Ministries. The national coordinator for the Emergent church is apparently having troubles with orthopraxy (proper practice). Apparently, TJ dropped the infamous f-bomb in reference to the Bible.

“The Bible is an ______ing scary book.”

Does anyone see it ironic that the man who insists that orthodoxy (right doctrine) is identical with orthopraxy (right practice), can’t seem to get either straight?

Tony Jones: orthodoxy = orthopraxy?

Tony Jones, national coordinator of the Emergent Village, presented this paper at a theology conference at Wheaton college.

It is not my intention to take a flame-thrower and attack a “Tony straw man.” I have read the article twice and have tried to understand what exactly he is saying. That being said, here is a quote from page 24 of his paper:

You have heard it said that the emergent church values orthopraxy over orthodoxy, but I say to you, if orthodoxy is an event, then another veil has been torn. There is no difference between the two. “Orthopraxy,” as my friend Dwight Friesen calls it, is the dialectical tension in which these two poles stand. Let me put it more boldly: there is no orthodoxy without orthopraxy. It doesn’t exist. People may talk about it, but they also talk about unicorns.

There is no song until it’s sung — just words and notes on paper. There is no strike until it’s called by the ump — “It ain’t nothing till I call it.” And there is no orthodoxy until it’s lived.

If you don’t know what orthopraxy is, that’s ok. In a nutshell, it’s proper practice, i.e. works.