Posted on 04/20/2011 4:25:47 AM PDT by Scanian
Just as President Obama wants to change what it means to be American, controversial author Rob Bell wants to change what it means to be Christian. The cover story for the Easter Week edition of Time magazine is about Mr. Bell’s book, “Love Wins.” Mr. Bell, perhaps the most widely known of a group of young, supposedly evangelical writers who emphasize love and dismiss the traditional view of judgment/retribution (referred to in Christian circles as “hell) has prompted nationwide discussions about the very meaning of Christianity.
Chris Matthews devoted a segment of his Palm Sunday show to a discussion of the issue with four non-theologian journalists/writers. Mr. Matthews asked if Mr. Bell’s theories weren’t necessary in light of the decline in church membership enabling ministers to cash in on today’s “you deserve it” attitudes. Andrew Sullivan agreed with Mr. Bell and explained, “Hell is simply the refusal to accept the love of God, and heaven is the ability to open your heart to God and let His love in.” Norah O'Donnell, though, thought the concept of hell helped keep us “on the straight and narrow.”
While most commentators freely shared their ignorance of basic Christian teaching without any inhibition, the Time magazine cover story (written by Jon Meacham, formerly of Newsweek magazine and a theology student in his undergraduate days) acknowledges from the outset that Mr. Bell’s views contradict traditional Christianity. Others are not as aware of what is at stake in Mr. Bell’s “soft” rhetoric about “love.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
“Hell is simply the refusal to accept the love of God,”
Well,Hell...
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Hell+Is+Real&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
and the WINNER:
http://www.av1611.org/hell.html
“I’ve decided to make up a new definition of Hell. You see, it’s like this....”
Several of the people who deny the existence of Hell are obviously Acolytes of the Anti-christ ~ probably best to not get to deep into the feather bed with those guys.
when I die i’ll go to heaven, ‘cuz i’ve spent my time in hell, USS Forrestal, CV 59....
If we are all going to heaven, why did Jesus have to die?
1. God does not "send" people to hell. He simply honors their choice.
2. God does not send "people" to hell. People do not go to hell, sinners do.
So, back to the question: How can a loving God send people to hell? He doesn't. He simply honors the choice of sinners.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
1. God does not "send" people to hell. He simply honors their choice.
2. God does not send "people" to hell. People do not go to hell, sinners do.
So, back to the question: How can a loving God send people to hell? He doesn't. He simply honors the choice of sinners.
Okay...
Because Pontius Pilate was a ahole?
If there's a rock and roll heaven, well you know they've got a hell of a band.
Plays well with their hedonist constituency...who want indulgences, not sanctification.
“Hell” and being with the “god of this world”(Satan) is simply man’s natural condition.
This reminds of the Petra song "Angel of Light".
You got the clergy working overtime to widen the narrow way
You've got politicians everywhere listening to what you say
You've got false apostles teaching lies perverting the only way
You've got principalities and powers waiting to obey
You've got philosophies and vain deceits lying to deceive
You've got hate, and greed, ungodly lusts in the deadly web you weave
Jesus chose the cross, God planned it that way. Pilate was not consulted. God does not need man to accomplish His will. Why did God set the universe in motion that culminated in the death of His son?
If there is no hell (which Jesus spoke of often by the way), why did Jesus have to die?
What is the most important idea that Satan could spread to mankind?
That he and his minions don’t exist!
Credit C.S. Lewis “Screwtape Letters”
Hebrews 10:29-31
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Psalms chapter Two: “Kiss the Son”
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
(Psalms 2:1-12)
Did he?
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