For my birthday I had the idea to go back to my childhood and purchase a great set of DVDs from the 90s. The TV show being one that I spent much of my time enjoying after school with a snack (the good old days), Boy Meets World. If you grew up in the mid to late 90s you knew what Boy Meets World was and it had the same premise of most of those after school family drama/comedies. Great family, goofy brother, & funny teacher that seem to always get in trouble, but most of all have a story to tell in a quick 30 minutes. Watching all of the seasons in a row makes me realize the cheesy nature of the show, but it also reminds me of the life lessons that I learned while I was young. Even more it reminds me of the lessons that I need to learn now.
I recently had a conversation with a great friend and that friend reminded me of the amazing life that I truly have. I have been blessed for the past 5 years to have known an amazing woman, introduced to her in October 2008. We were two different people back then, young and stupid, but little did I know that she would be the person I would have the honor of spending the rest of my life with her. A young 19 year old kid who was blessed with an 18 year old girl who was loving enough to give me a chance. 5 years later our love continues to grow daily, our family continues to grow, but most of all we continue to understand and value the fact that our love is what is most important.
A great friend of mine reminds me that even if everything in your life seems to be in shambles, you must understand that love is the thing that reigns true through all things. It reigns true because it was love that God ordained from the beginning. The love that he made an example of when he sacrificed his son for the entire world. This is the example that we have the opportunity to follow and I am so blessed to have a wife to share this type of love with. Life may be stressful, life may be hard, but love is all i need.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label Love Wins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love Wins. Show all posts
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Book Review - Erasing Hell by Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle...
If you are a Christian Nerd like me or a church leader of any sorts you probably been bombarded with the argument about the after life in recent months. There have been countless blog posts, status updates, and book written in response to the controversial book LoveWins by Rob Bell earlier this year. I recently spent the time reading one of these responses entitled Erasing Hell by Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle. Being a fan of Chan's recent Basic DVD series I thought I would pick up this bit of light reading to see what he had to say regarding the topic of Hell and the after life in general.
All in all, I really was not impressed with the writing as a whole. I thought it lacked the quality authorship that Rob Bell and other scholars have on the topic. It seemed that Chan & Sprinkle were simply trying to make a response to the book LoveWins that would be readily available to the everyday Christian reading. I would have liked him to go much deeper on the topic and instead of focusing so much on the importance of the topic or on his disgrace with Bell, I would have enjoyed some deeper scholarly insight into the issue.
This book was not all bad, it has some great insight and questions regarding the character of God and how it is perceived by non-christians. It is described that for a non-christian it may be difficult for them to understand a God that wouldn't accept all into his holy place called heaven. I did enjoy the chapter regarding the clay and the potter. Much of the time we, being the clay, do believe that we can design the pot, but that would be ridiculous. For God is the potter and his divine hands are the one's molding this world. Therefore, as Jesus states in the first chapter of Acts, we are not to know the time and place of God's actions. This lack of control is something that must be considered when we are trying to live this life of sanctification and justification.
This book was an interesting look at the topic of Hell, but I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into the issue of Hell. Because I am not a fan of responsive writings, it made it difficult to dive deep into the text. If I were you I would grab the book LoveWins, Erasing Hell, and your bible translation of choice and pray that God will lead you to a biblically based interpretation of the issue of the afterlife. For all of these ideas lie in scripture and must be prayerfully considered by each individual Christian. Happy Studying.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
All in all, I really was not impressed with the writing as a whole. I thought it lacked the quality authorship that Rob Bell and other scholars have on the topic. It seemed that Chan & Sprinkle were simply trying to make a response to the book LoveWins that would be readily available to the everyday Christian reading. I would have liked him to go much deeper on the topic and instead of focusing so much on the importance of the topic or on his disgrace with Bell, I would have enjoyed some deeper scholarly insight into the issue.
This book was not all bad, it has some great insight and questions regarding the character of God and how it is perceived by non-christians. It is described that for a non-christian it may be difficult for them to understand a God that wouldn't accept all into his holy place called heaven. I did enjoy the chapter regarding the clay and the potter. Much of the time we, being the clay, do believe that we can design the pot, but that would be ridiculous. For God is the potter and his divine hands are the one's molding this world. Therefore, as Jesus states in the first chapter of Acts, we are not to know the time and place of God's actions. This lack of control is something that must be considered when we are trying to live this life of sanctification and justification.
This book was an interesting look at the topic of Hell, but I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into the issue of Hell. Because I am not a fan of responsive writings, it made it difficult to dive deep into the text. If I were you I would grab the book LoveWins, Erasing Hell, and your bible translation of choice and pray that God will lead you to a biblically based interpretation of the issue of the afterlife. For all of these ideas lie in scripture and must be prayerfully considered by each individual Christian. Happy Studying.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
"Love Wins" - Book Review
In honor of all of the controversy and my fondness of Rob Bell, I decided to purchase and read his new book "Love Wins". What follows is my personal book review going Chapter by Chapter to describe the issues that are stated in each.
Chapter 1 - What About the Flat Tire
This chapter centered on the idea of the people in scripture and how they truly respond to Jesus. What I took away from this Chapter was just truly understanding the fact that our life here in earth is about nothing else, but how we respond to the actions of Jesus. For Jesus' ministry on Earth was not only words, but throughout history actions were a product of the words that were stated throughout scripture.
Chapter 2 - Here is the New There
For most it is understood that Heaven is a place that is much further from where we are presently, but Rob brings about another idea on the picture of Heaven. For Rob it seems practical that for those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ, Heaven can be seen throughout daily life. Through the illustration of the rich man parable that the love, joy, and peace of Heaven should not be considered to be missing from our present day life.
Chapter 3 - Hell
Much of the Hell discussion throughout this book is the most controversial section in the book. For like Heaven, Hell seems to be seen in our daily lives. It is believed by Rob that we have an opportunity on a daily basis to accept or reject God's calling for our lives, with the rejection comes destruction and turmoil. This being lead by the opportunity to choose God daily. This is a freedom that is through the truth that is spoken through the gospel. Through this, like Heaven, Hell can be seen daily, Hell is here now and Hell is later.
Chapter 4 - Does God get What God Wants?
God heart is at the center of his ministry including his Love being at the foremost center. As stated throughout the last chapter Love is a free choice and each person is given the opportunity to truly choose God's love. It can even be believed that given enough time, everybody will turn to God. For Rob believes that "untold masses of people suffering forever doesn't bring God glory." For God will eventually melt even the hardest of hearts. But on the other hand God's gift of love is free, thus the choice to be in love is free. Love cannot be forced or manipulated, but it is a choice.
Chapter 5 - Dying to Live
Accepting the gift of love also includes the acceptance of Jesus' forgiving act on the cross. With this acceptance of Jesus' forgiveness is an acceptance into a different lifestyle. Thus each person who has chosen the love of Christ has chosen to die to their old lifestyle and engage in a new lifestyle that is centered on the actions paved by Jesus and his ministry.
Chapter 6 - There are Rocks Everywhere
Jesus is all around. Paul found that Jesus was in all things including a rock. Therefore Rob considers Jesus to also be apart of all cultures and apart of all areas of life. But with this inclusion in all aspects of culture, brings to light the fact that Jesus will save everyone, which is not necessarily what Rob believes. Instead he believes that Jesus is as wide and as narrow as the opportunities he gives his people to accept the gifts of love. For Jesus is exclusive, but yet inclusive because he is a part of all aspects of culture. Thus Jesus being present in ever aspect of creation, shows that he has given each person the opportunity to accept him. For it is understood that it is only through Jesus that the breath of life can be found, but Jesus has given all people the opportunity to find it.
Chapter 7 - The Good News is Better Than That
For many churches today the idea of the Gospel is centered on "punching your ticket" to eternal life with God. Although the church does center it's sermons and ideas on the action steps that come with Christianity, the most important aspect of Christianity is "punching your ticket". But what Rob establishes is that the Gospel is much more than that. When the gospel is reduced to such a point, the good news of the gospel becomes a ticket. The good news of the Gospel is much more than that. For the gift of the gospel is an unfair opportunity for the people who choose it. For all people deserve death, but Heaven is our destination if we choose so. Jesus is the rescue from the wrath of God, for God's wrath must be justified, but instead of us being held for our actions we are freed from this wrath. The good news of God is much more than just a ticket, but it is a lifestyle change and a justification from the horrible life that we are given on this earth.
Chapter 8 - The End is Here
This chapter centers on the idea that our opportunities continue to pass as we go through life. An important quotation that is at the center of this chapter is "While we may get other opportunities, we won't get the one right in front of us again." Taking advantage on a said opportunity can be the most pivotal decision made. The decision that we take and make on a daily basis will be decisions that field the rest of our life, meaning these decisions matter more than we can imagine. Decisions take a whole new role, when you realize the importance of every small one.
All in All, this book brought to light many issues that I did not think about before. The idea that God's love is truly at the center of his ministry, thus making the ministry of the Gospel much more about daily decisions to choose the love of Christ than "punching your ticket" to an eternity with Christ. I do not feel the controversy did the book justice because despite all that was said, the scriptures still reigned true. There were so great ideas to be taken out of this book.
Chapter 1 - What About the Flat Tire
This chapter centered on the idea of the people in scripture and how they truly respond to Jesus. What I took away from this Chapter was just truly understanding the fact that our life here in earth is about nothing else, but how we respond to the actions of Jesus. For Jesus' ministry on Earth was not only words, but throughout history actions were a product of the words that were stated throughout scripture.
Chapter 2 - Here is the New There
For most it is understood that Heaven is a place that is much further from where we are presently, but Rob brings about another idea on the picture of Heaven. For Rob it seems practical that for those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ, Heaven can be seen throughout daily life. Through the illustration of the rich man parable that the love, joy, and peace of Heaven should not be considered to be missing from our present day life.
Chapter 3 - Hell
Much of the Hell discussion throughout this book is the most controversial section in the book. For like Heaven, Hell seems to be seen in our daily lives. It is believed by Rob that we have an opportunity on a daily basis to accept or reject God's calling for our lives, with the rejection comes destruction and turmoil. This being lead by the opportunity to choose God daily. This is a freedom that is through the truth that is spoken through the gospel. Through this, like Heaven, Hell can be seen daily, Hell is here now and Hell is later.
Chapter 4 - Does God get What God Wants?
God heart is at the center of his ministry including his Love being at the foremost center. As stated throughout the last chapter Love is a free choice and each person is given the opportunity to truly choose God's love. It can even be believed that given enough time, everybody will turn to God. For Rob believes that "untold masses of people suffering forever doesn't bring God glory." For God will eventually melt even the hardest of hearts. But on the other hand God's gift of love is free, thus the choice to be in love is free. Love cannot be forced or manipulated, but it is a choice.
Chapter 5 - Dying to Live
Accepting the gift of love also includes the acceptance of Jesus' forgiving act on the cross. With this acceptance of Jesus' forgiveness is an acceptance into a different lifestyle. Thus each person who has chosen the love of Christ has chosen to die to their old lifestyle and engage in a new lifestyle that is centered on the actions paved by Jesus and his ministry.
Chapter 6 - There are Rocks Everywhere
Jesus is all around. Paul found that Jesus was in all things including a rock. Therefore Rob considers Jesus to also be apart of all cultures and apart of all areas of life. But with this inclusion in all aspects of culture, brings to light the fact that Jesus will save everyone, which is not necessarily what Rob believes. Instead he believes that Jesus is as wide and as narrow as the opportunities he gives his people to accept the gifts of love. For Jesus is exclusive, but yet inclusive because he is a part of all aspects of culture. Thus Jesus being present in ever aspect of creation, shows that he has given each person the opportunity to accept him. For it is understood that it is only through Jesus that the breath of life can be found, but Jesus has given all people the opportunity to find it.
Chapter 7 - The Good News is Better Than That
For many churches today the idea of the Gospel is centered on "punching your ticket" to eternal life with God. Although the church does center it's sermons and ideas on the action steps that come with Christianity, the most important aspect of Christianity is "punching your ticket". But what Rob establishes is that the Gospel is much more than that. When the gospel is reduced to such a point, the good news of the gospel becomes a ticket. The good news of the Gospel is much more than that. For the gift of the gospel is an unfair opportunity for the people who choose it. For all people deserve death, but Heaven is our destination if we choose so. Jesus is the rescue from the wrath of God, for God's wrath must be justified, but instead of us being held for our actions we are freed from this wrath. The good news of God is much more than just a ticket, but it is a lifestyle change and a justification from the horrible life that we are given on this earth.
Chapter 8 - The End is Here
This chapter centers on the idea that our opportunities continue to pass as we go through life. An important quotation that is at the center of this chapter is "While we may get other opportunities, we won't get the one right in front of us again." Taking advantage on a said opportunity can be the most pivotal decision made. The decision that we take and make on a daily basis will be decisions that field the rest of our life, meaning these decisions matter more than we can imagine. Decisions take a whole new role, when you realize the importance of every small one.
All in All, this book brought to light many issues that I did not think about before. The idea that God's love is truly at the center of his ministry, thus making the ministry of the Gospel much more about daily decisions to choose the love of Christ than "punching your ticket" to an eternity with Christ. I do not feel the controversy did the book justice because despite all that was said, the scriptures still reigned true. There were so great ideas to be taken out of this book.
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