Do you think it is wrong for Rob Bell to question traditional views of heaven and hell?
Answer: I don't care.
Do you think it is wrong for traditionalist writers to label Rob Bell a universalist?
Answer: I don't care.
Do you think it is wrong for every Christian with an iPhone to tweet their answers to the above questions from restaurant bathrooms and then go home and blog about it?
Read the rest.
Answer: Now there's an interesting question.
5 comments:
1. Christianity Today lost respect long ago
2. John Dyer is from Dallas Theological Seminary, which also lost respect long ago
3. Joe King in the comments section at 8:40am on March 14th, gets it generally right
I think Dyer is pretty far off-base on this one. I get the point that he is trying to make; that he desires that not everyone take on the responsibility and harsher standard that Christ will hold teachers to. BUT, this is not the point of blogs. Making judgments (whether using social media or any other avenue) is far different from teaching. Just because some teachers use blogs to teach does not mean all or even most blogs are in this vein. It's all about context (just as anything else you read). If you're reading a blog, the first thing you have to look for is the context the author writes under. For most, it's opinion, personal growth/learning, even as a kind of journal, etc. For some, it's to teach (i.e. the John Piper's of the world).
That said... If we're all waiting on our teachers/pastors to give us an opinion or discern EVERY matter for us (especially basic theologies like no one coming to the Father except by Christ), then there is something wrong. The Word is the authority by which we judge everything and every believer has been given the Holy Spirit by which we have the power to discern.
Agree with Briah (Joe King) and anonymous. Dyer seems to have gotten this one wrong.
But you don't really care, right?
It was just a reminder for me to fight to stay humble. That is why I found it valuable. I certainly agree that there is a time and place for teaching from all different types of people. As a guy who have a platform here and at my church i know one of my biggest challenges will be pride. I need to fight that.
Sorry, Z. That sounded a little harsh. Obviously you do care. I should have said, Mr. Dyer doesn't care (referring to his article, that is). I apologize for coming off harsh.
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