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Salvation: Part B

Rob Bell has written a new book, Love Wins, and its release has not been without a fair amount of controversy. As I see it, most of this controversy is not new and the publishing of this book has allowed for an opportunity for others desperate for Bell-like notoriety to get a little attention. The loudest voices of objection are coming from the almost predictably conservative Evangelical Christian front. But, the good news about such a controversy is that every fight needs opposing armies and Bell is not without his supporters too. Here’s Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary:

I told the USA TODAY reporter that Rob Bell’s newly released Love Wins is a fine book and that I basically agree with his theology. I knew that the book was being widely criticized for having crossed the theological bridge from evangelical orthodoxy into universalism. Not true, I told the reporter. Rob Bell is calling us away from a stingy orthodoxy to a generous orthodoxy.

Let me say it clearly: I am not a universalist. I believe hell as a condition in the afterlife is real, and that it will be occupied. I think Rob believes that too. But he is a creative communicator who likes to prod, and even tease us a bit theologically. Suppose, he likes to say, we go up to someone and tell them that God loves them and sent Jesus to die for their sins. Accept Jesus right now, we say, because if ten minutes from now you die without accepting this offer God will punish you forever in the fires of hell. What kind of God are we presenting to the person? Suppose we told someone that their human father has a wonderful gift for them, offered out of love for them-and then we add that, by the way, if they reject the gift that same father will torment them as long as they live. What would we think of such a father?

Mouw’s question is a good one. It seems to get at the heart of what I long for in my own theology of salvation. God’s love is the driving force, not God’s wrath. Time and energy spent scarring people with the threat of damnation seems counter-productive and very counter-intuitive if a God of unconditional love lies behind our salvation. And, the kind of love this father has for me makes a huge difference for today, not just for tomorrow.

I have a t-shirt that says, “Love Conquers Hate.” I wish I could wear it every day. It’s how I feel and may be a helpful slogan for those who cling to the omnipotence of God. God will judge us and God will ultimately decide the future. But for now, for today, love wins.

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A Curiosity for Today

Looking for God

I guess this has been circling around the internet and it just caught my attention...

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while.
About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

So here's the question it raises for me... how often do we fail to perceive, like beauty, God's presence in our lives? Why is it that we think we can only find God in specific places, places that we determine to be right, or proper, or logical. If our Christian story teaches us anything, it's that God is found in the improbable, the improper, the illogical.

Open my eyes Lord. I think I need to stop looking for you at church on Sunday morning and start looking for you on my way to work.

I guess it was just my turn...