Here is an interesting report on Rob Bell's latest tour called, "The Gods Aren't Angry Tour". I like what he is doing here. Sounds creative and engaging. He certainly is a gifted orator. After you read the article ask yourself this question: Is God angry you with? I would have to say yes and no. It depends on if you are a Christian or not. I don't think the fact that God is love and loves all people should be presented at the exclusion of his anger and hatred toward sin. Does God love you? Yes. But if you are not a Christian and been united with Christ and his righteousness on your behalf then God is still angry with you and your sin. Unless you are a universalist, how do you get around this? Seems as though God's anger is one of the starting points of the Gospel. Does the Gospel even make sense without an understanding of God's anger? To be fair and clear, I am not saying that this is what Rob is presenting. I have not heard him speak on this tour, but the way it is presented in this article makes it sure seem like he is setting up this dichotomy.
**Update** - Here are some interesting reflections from Justin Buzzard written after he attended this tour.
(HT: Nate Downey)
2 comments:
I'm going to see him on his tour when he visits Louisville on Nov. 29th. Should be interesting as he continues to be a big influence among emergents.
Let's suppose God was angry... it would only be due to the fact that their is sin in the first place, and this is ruining and destroying the lives of the people He passionately LOVES.
The starting point of the gospel is not anger, but LOVE... and in love came Jesus - not an angel or a prophet - but God Himself which sends a huge message. Just like an engagement, you don't have someone else do it for you.
He only hates what destroys what He loves.
Bell is tracking right... people think God is upset with them, but He knew what was going to happen and has already taken action - we don't need to manipulate Him or any energies or any gods - we must simply respond.
The point is that in love, God has acted - I mean how ridiculous would it be if a man was asking a woman to be his wife, and she didnt think she deserved or was thinking somehow she must redeem herself, when all she needs to do is say YES.
That is the gospel, that is the good news - the thing that has been destroying us is in God's hands when we simply say Yes and give our lives to Him.
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