Be a Berean

In Paul's second book to Timothy, the pastor of the church at Epheses, he says, "For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

Even though Christianity was still relatively young at that time, the danger already existed of those who resisted true doctine. There were people who wanted teachers/preachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear and to make them feel good. They wanted to avoid being challenged to acknowledge their own sin and submit themselves fully to Jesus Christ.

This danger continues to be as real today as it was back in Paul's time. The advantage we have now over the young believers back then is that we have easy access to God's Word and can quickly search the Scriptures ourselves to test what is being said to ensure its biblical accuracy. Paul commended the Bereans for doing just that about what he taught (Acts 17:11).

It really is not all that difficult today to find teachers and preachers who stand under the umbrella of Christianity who talk a good talk but in reality are just far enough off the truth that they can easily lead the unsuspecting astray.

The hot topic these days is Rob Bell and his "Love Wins" book that recently came out. While on the surface, one could surmise that this would be an incredibly positive book, one that points people towards God and reveals God as loving and compassionate. And that's not a bad thing, because I want people to know what a loving God our Creator is...how each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made, precious in His thoughts (Psalm 139). God's love extends to the fact that He knew we would need a Savior - even from the beginning of time. God loves us because God is love.

However, God's love is not something that we can mold and shape to fit into our own little box of "comfortable-ness." God's love is sweet - just ask the new believer experiencing freedom from the penalty of sin for the first time, or the mature believer who is once again brought to his feet after strumbling. But God's love also extends to justice and rightousness.

Now I will admit that I have not read Mr. Bell's book, but I have read the FAQ page on the Mars Hill website about this book and I've heard other people talk about this book - both for and against. My husband spoke with one young man who was reading Mr. Bell's book and he said that he could barely get through the first chapter without already filling ill at ease about the theology being taught.

In reading the FAQ page about the book, I felt I could agree with many of the theological points Mr. Bell addressed, however, when it came to addressing what happens in the afterlife, I felt my spirit within grow greatly distressed. Quoting from that page, "Rob isn't suggesting Universalism...He is proposing that God's love is so big that the invitation to God's grace may extend into the next life so that all could be saved."

And then there is the quote from Chad Holtz, the pastor who lost his job for supporting Rob Bell: "So long as we believe there is a dividing point in eternity, we're going to think in terms of us and them. But when you believe that God has saved everyone, the point is you're saved. Live like it."

First, my comment about the statement by Mr. Holtz is that God has NOT saved everyone. But God has provided a way for everyone to be saved - and that is through Jesus Christ alone. Yes, John 3:16 says that God so love the WORLD, but it also says that what we must make the decision to believe in Jesus Christ in order to have eternal life. It's not a given that every person will go to heaven. It's not a situation where everyone is saved, and you have the option to "opt out" if you choose NOT to believe in Jesus Christ (as someone once told me their belief was). Yes, God loves us, but He is not going to force those who chose not to believe to live in eternity with Him.

Second, I want to share my comments about Mr. Bell's statement regarding the opportunity for salvation after death. I want to start off by stating emphatically that I am not a great biblical scholar...I don't know all there is to know about every doctrine the Bible teaches. But I do study God's Word on a regular basis, and I do feel relatively confident to speak what God has laid on my heart regarding this issue. I believe that every person is given a clear and fair opportunity to make a decision about who God is and how they will honor Him. I believe that God is a rightous and merciful God who does not punish anyone unjustly. I also believe that we have barely begun to scratch the surface of understanding exactly Who God truly is. We have what the Bible has told us, and I think that if God had disclosed any more of His infinite self to His finite creation, we would not have been able to stand it.

God clearly outlines within His word how a person can be reconciled to Him -- and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. I believe that once death on this earth occurs, then the spirit goes to the place God has prepared for it based upon the decision made on earth regarding Jesus. Nowhere in the Bible (that I am aware of) does it say that after death there is another opportunity to make that decsion. In Hebrews 9:12 we are told that we are destined to die and after death comes judgment. Jesus' brutal but voluntary death on the cross was in payment of our sins. If, in life, we do not accept that payment, then eternal death and separation from God is our penalty (Romans 6:23). There is no second chance after that.

Let me approach this another way...What if there was a second chance for salvation after death? Why bother making a decision for Christ now? Why not just live life the way I want to ("eat, drink and be merry"), and then when I die, find out what's going to happen? If what Rob Bell says is correct, and I don't like being in hell, then I can simply say that I believe in Jesus and end up in heaven after all. Is that really a risk work taking? Not for me. But, unfortunately, there are going to be many who do decide to go that route, choose not to live for Christ and die to eternal damnation.

Jesus promised life abundant if we live for Him here on earth and after that an eternity with Him in heaven. That's the promise I want to hang my hat on.

If you are someone who thinks that this theology that Rob Bell is promoting in his book is correct, please be a Berean and check it against God's word. Do your own study... seek God's wisdom in this. Don't take my word for it, don't take anyone else's word for it. Take God's Word for it.

Don't go "according to your own desires, accumulating teachers for yourselves because you have an itch to hear something new." As Paul admonished Timothy..."keep a clear head about everything..." Be a Berean.