ROBELLOUSNESS

Myself and some good friends brothers and sisters have been discussing on and off again Rob Bell's latest book 'LOVE WINS'. Below is one of the latest responses;

Concerning the issue of an Everlasting Hell for those Unredeemed in Christ

Definition; robelliousness(n), robellion (adj), "Challenging approved orthodox theological doctrine. An intellectual or philosophical argument rooted in the Western conflict metaphor, incited by the powers that wage war against the Kingdom of God." RMacD 22 April 2011.

ref: Love Wins, Rob Bell, 2011

A Challenge to Rob Bell's proposal of a "non-everlasting" hell and a possible ultimate reconciliation.

If "love" is sufficient to ultimately cover our sins, why did Jesus have to be crucified?

Along that argument, if Jesus had not been crucified, would God still have excused our sin because of His loving nature?

If Jesus had not died for us, would God's love, as envisioned by Rob Bell, be any less than would be still necessary for ultimate reconciliation?

Love didn't save us, Jesus did! Love is not justice for sin, but the motivation to pay the price righteousness and justice require of the infinite offense committed. If nothing is required from a recipient, why could love not merely make that declaration unilaterally? The absolute minimum must require the guilty plea and accepting of the fine paid in full.

Bell's argument leans more toward the issue of timing. Even if under incarceration (in hell), one then becomes aware of that previously unknown redemptive event and gives a guilty plea, and only then being aware of the payment available claims it, why is he then not excused? Or, "why does the 'get out of jail free' card expire upon one's death?

Eternal life is not knowing the Gospel, but knowing Jesus and the Father. It is not knowing about them or any other doctrine. The Gospel is only the invitation into that relationship.

God appoints the timing. Heb 9:27-28 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Jesus must be known and eagerly anticipated prior to that judgment. (Jn 17:3, 7-9, 20; 2 Cor 6:1-2 ) It all involves the timing of the "Book of Life"- not that written after it is closed. Ps 69:28, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8 [God's foreknowledge, predestination?]; 20:12.

Present theologians and writers are wrestling and philosophizing around resurrection and eternal judgment, when they are considered as foundational elementary teachings in the beginning of Hebrews 6. The Church is illiterate as the result of the long abandonment of Biblical discipleship.

by RMacD