"Sacrificing Love at the Altar of Truth"

Well, I'm reading "THE BOOK."  Perhaps that will make me a blasphemer in some people's eyes.  Won't be the first or last time I'll have found myself in "trouble"...  I hope I won't get any tweets from friends that say "Farewell Angela Hufford".  Actually, I don't tweet, but I guess they could unfriend me on facebook instead.  I wonder which is a worse fate...being de-tweeted or de-friended?  WINNING! 

Chapter one of "THE BOOK" was like riding a roller coaster naked while being strapped in place with a shoestring.  INTENSE...PERSONAL...INTIMATE!  I loved the millions of thought-provoking questions and the rapid pace with which they came.  I barely had time to breath before the next hill of questions came, throwing me into a spin of both terror and delight.  It was a theological roller coaster ride worthy of a five-star rating.  Good God, it challenged and provoked, daring me to step into the minefield of Chapter Two.

I realize now, however, that I made a tactical error after passionately reading chapters one and two.  I got on the internet and starting reading reviews and people's responses to reviews.  What followed for me has been an intense period of grief and painful introspection.  

I haven't been able to pick "THE BOOK" back up and finish reading it.  I know I will get there. I have to work through the pain first.

Let me state a foundational truth about me before I delve into the muck.  I believe in heaven.  I believe in hell.  I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  What Rob Bells believes or does not believe about heaven and hell certainly interests me, but it does not own me.  My heart belongs to another (and while I love that stud Donald Miller, even he doesn't outrank my Jewish Carpenter).    
   

So what has me grieving like a kid whose puppy just got run over by a semi truck?  I'm not fully sure I can put it into words yet, but this blog is my first attempt to at least begin the process.  

It does not bother me that people feel the need to throw scripture after scripture at Rob Bell and others, in an attempt to "enlighten" them with their interpretation of Truth.  What bothers me is the manner in which that Truth has been shared.  It has been shocking and disturbing to see the arrogance, the rudeness, the name-calling that has surfaced from followers of Christ.  My angst is not with the sharing of Truth, as the majority of that truth I find myself supporting.  The manner, nature, and ferociousness of that sharing has grieved me deeply.  We have sacrificed love at the altar of truth, and that my dear friends, is not biblical.  

So many people are hurling angry accusations at Rob Bell about how unbiblical his beliefs are, while showering him with "truth" in a very unbiblical manner.  It's like the 400 lb Preacher standing up front screaming at his congregation about the evils of drinking, all while ignoring his own evils of gluttony. 

Have we become so confident that our own religious institutions, interpretations, and dogma are RIGHT, that doctrines have become a modern day golden calf that is worshipped at the expense of love, charity, and respect?    

Here are ten examples of many that I found in the pages and pages and pages of comments following a story about Rob Bell posted online (note:  I'm not going to post the website link, but I'd be glad to share it with anyone who would like to follow-up and read it on their own).  And I must state in all fairness, there were posts that were thoughtful and steeped in truth.  There were posts that were presented in truth AND love.  For those, I am grateful.  

For the following, my heart breaks.  (NOTE:  For now, just for fun, to keep myself from crying and imploding, I have responded in parentheses with a few satirical thoughts after each one.  Note the HUMOR...) 

marshall1963 said:  "Rob Bell in simple terms is a man-child with an appetite for attention and $$$$. With this book he has shown himself to be an intellectual midget and an emotional basket case. Rob Bell will make his money and be gone in a few years. Spend it while you can Rob, because you can’t take it with you."  (Name calling and judgment about Bell's motives.  How can he be a man-child AND a midget?  Just sayin'...)

quarterhorsemen said:  "I have known people who have gone to Bell's church and if Mr.Bell is like them, well shock and awe, or money is all he's about. The main reasons they went there,#1 you could dress anyway you wanted, #2 they have cool music. Not to mention how they behave when their out of church, sex, drugs, alcohol is no big deal because they can just go to their local feel good church and be forgiven."  (Don't most attend feel good churches so we can be forgiven?  Are there not sitting in the pews of every church in America people who abuse drugs and alcohol, those who are caught up in pornography and/or adultery?  Maybe  quarterhorsemen's church is "The Perfect-byterian" or the "Ideal-theran"?  Dude, we ALL need forgiveness.  And what's wrong with dressing like you want and hearing cool music...is there scripture that speaks against this?) 

jfreak13713 said:  “Rob Bell is a celebrity seeking attention and wealth by portraying himself as different or ENLIGHTENED but he’s really just another used car salesman claiming to be called of God.”  (It appears that this person knows for sure who is and who is not legitimately called of God.  And how insulting for used car salesmen, who are just trying to make a buck like the rest of us).

Mllyjul said:  "Rob Bell is making up his own Scripture. That’s what can happen when you lead one of these mega churches and it goes to your head. Suddenly you put yourself on par with God."  (it appears that this person is a mega-church growth expert and knows exactly what is inside Rob Bells head.  That's impressive.)

604karen said:  “Another perverted preacher of a perverted gospel. Trolls, God is God and you are not. Stop making God into your own image.”  (A troll?  This might be Charlie Sheen speaking.)

Ofallon said: “You “struggle” and “grapple” with the word of God.  WHY?  God bless you. I’m praying for you.”  (Pray for me too, buddy.  I struggle and grapple with the word of God all the time.  I thought that was a good thing?)

warner said (speaking of Bell and another pastor): "Can we say ‘False Prophet”? These two gentlemen are truly being used by Satan to pervert Gods Word and fellow believers. The Bible states that teachers are held to a higher standard in judgment and these two, I pray hopefully repent and turn their lives around to the Gospel of Jesus Christ."  (Apparently despite hundreds of sermons, several videos, and many writings that state Rob's belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, he needs to turn his life away from Satan.  Don't we all?  And here I thought Bell's lecture called "Everything is Spiritual", the one on Creation stories and Quantum Physics, I thought it conveyed the truth of a holistic perspective of spirituality, not Satanism )

Matt44 said: "Here is the reality of the situation, Rob Bell, and the entire “emergent church” movement spreads nothing but inconsistencies, and in many cases straight up heretical doctrines on Christianity." (The ENTIRE movement...nothing like lumping everyone into the same pot without showing facts to back up the point.  What reality planet is he living on?)

SonOfThunder said:  "Rob Bell is leading his sheep straight to hell with his heresy. The emerging church which Bell is a member is distorting and twisting the Gospel. No where in the Scripture supports what he says. Bell makes it up as he goes with no scripture backing. Bell is an anathema and heretic."  (More name calling.  Are we on the recess playground?  I had to look up anathema...I thought it might be a disease of some sort.  It so kindly means, "somebody or something cursed, denounced, or excommunicated by a religious authority."  Yikes.)

Darski said: “Just curious… does Bell being homosexual have anything to do with his (non)belief in Hell?”  Bghandlcw responded:  “Rob isn’t a homosexual! He has children and a wife! Where do you get your information?”  Darski said:  “Ted haggard had a wife and kids. They (w&k’s) are called a “beard”. Get a friend with good ‘gaydar’ to look at a pic and see the results.”  (Jesus, save me from your followers.  This doesn't even deserve a response.  Seriously?????) 

In addition, there were numerous post saying "Let's pray for Rob Bell."  I found that so patronizing, like he needs prayer and we do not?  Ugh.  Why not just pray that God will reveal the Truth to all who seek it, even to those who do not?  Is God not able...is God not big enough to do so?  I need to go eat some Tums.  

Deep breath.  Herein lies my problem and my secondary problem with these posts. 

 

1)  This problem has caused grief:  They exude arrogance.  They attack Bell, not the theological differences.  Instead of debating points of theology, they name call and spit.  They suggest that Bell has apostatized from THE faith, they accuse him of embodying the spirit of the antichrist, and declare that his teachings are actually a sign of the coming apocalypse.  Wow, and this is their christian brother.  I wonder how they treat their enemies?


Some will say Rob Bell is not a christian, that he is the enemy and not a brother.  
I didn't know we "true christians" could corner the sincerity market on who is saved and who is not saved...that even if a person has publicly confessed to being
"one of us", reads the bible and has been baptized...we still get to determine if he is sincere or not in those rituals.  I didn't know we got to handpick where the sheep and goats get to reside.  


This is such dangerous territory that it makes me tremble and want to puke.  The GOD of the UNIVERSE knows the heart of each man, not me.  Not silly 'ole sinful me.  It's not my job to determine who "gets in" and who doesn't!  To imply otherwise is a perilous train wreck at the foot of the cross.    


2)  This causes a secondary problem of painful introspection:  Where is this in my own life?  Where am I spouting truth in arrogance and not love?  Where am I name calling, putting others down, choosing truth over love?  Where do I attack instead of love?  Where do I patronize, haughtily spewing my doctrine, my position, my belief?  Just because I am in church on Sunday and my neighbor is not, does that make me better in God's eyes...does that make me more worthy?  If a person has publicly confessed Jesus as Lord, do I get to judge their sincerity?  Lord, forgive me.  I am like those who make me sick to my stomach.   


I want to sacrifice my idols and false Gods...arrogance, rudeness, name calling, people pleasing, fear, the desire to be RIGHT...I want the fire of the LORD to fall and burn it all up, like He did in I Kings 18, when the wood, the stone, the soil, and even the water was obliterated.  Take it all away Lord.  Take it all.   


May the Lord brings us all to places of wholeness as we grapple with our own sins, with our own muck.  May He illuminate truth in us.  May we share that truth as genuine vessels of love.      


To be continued... 

“Nine percent is not okay: A thoughtful response to the Rob Bell hoopla”

Back in the days of the wild, wild west, a common phrase was uttered by many a cowboy as he defended his “territory” against attack.  That phrase was “shoot first, ask questions later.”  While that might have saved a few of John Wayne’s horses back in the day, it saddens me that recent events in the evangelical world have resembled this phrase, except it’s been modified into “shoot first and ask questions never.”

Issues related to doctrine and differences of opinion about scriptural truths are far, far from new events.  Jesus walked the earth often initiating such discord in his efforts to promote discussion.  And in doing so, He often bore the brunt of harsh criticism.  In John 10, Jesus makes a fervent case for who He is, about why He has come, about His connectedness to the flock.  Passionate, heartfelt, beautiful words.  He lays the very core of His heart on the line.  He puts it out there for all to see and hear.

The response?  John 10:19 “The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”  Later in that same chapter, those same Jews picked up stones to stone Him.  Jesus’ response in John 10:32    “…but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”  He asked a question.  He didn’t tweet and bid them farewell.  He engaged and continued to dialogue.  And after the Jews responded (vs. 33), Jesus followed it up immediately with three more questions in succession (vs. 34-36). 


It’s no secret that American mainline denominational churches are losing members at a staggering rate.  People left and right are leaving the pews in mass exodus, or never entering at all.  In 2009, George Barna released results of a survey that stated “Overall, the current research revealed that only 9% of all American adults have a biblical worldview.”  That same survey stated “The research data showed that one pattern emerged loud and clear: young adults rarely possess a biblical worldview. The current study found that less than one-half of one percent of adults in the Mosaic generation – i.e., those aged 18 to 23 – have a biblical worldview, compared to about one out of every nine older adults.”  (http://www.barna.org/transformation-articles/252-barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years).

How does one obtain a biblical worldview?  The manner of acquisition varies, but the question is not how it’s obtained, but why is it even necessary to obtain?  How does  good bible theology influence, shape, and sway how I live, how I love, how I think, how I learn?  And if it’s not the bible influencing, shaping, and swaying how I live, how I love, how I think, how I learn…what then earns that place of prominence?   Our worldview influences EVERYTHING.  But I’m a good person…why do I need an ancient book and some guy in a flowing robe telling me what to do?

I believe many adults…and most especially young adults…are passing over Christianity, skipping over the bible, because many Christians today are MORE about what they hate, despise, and detest, and LESS about love, humility, and meekness.  I find many worldviews are founded in arrogance and hate and not in humility and love.  We’re more likely today to find Christians focused on the “do nots” than the “do’s”.   As someone recently stated, “Why would I want to become a follower of Christ?  His followers are some of the most hurtful, angry, offensive people I know.  My friends truthfully have fewer problems with Christ and more problems with Christians and their arrogant leaders.”  Ouch.

Good theology and good discussion about theology have gotten lost in translation.  If I want to show a person how sharp my new Cutco knives are…should I stab it into my neighbor’s body, or have him come to my house and watch me using the knife to create a beautiful meal that we can share together?  Is the same not true for discussions about theology?  If I stab the knife of theology into my neighbor, I virtually end all discussion.  Engaging and allowing my neighbor to watch me use the knife, to see what it can help create…thus a relationship is born.  My neighbor might think his Chicago cutlery is far superior.  At least he’ll have the chance to dialogue with me about it, since I didn’t stab him with my own knife.

Friends, it may appear I’m talking in circles and going nowhere, but the reality is this…WE CANNOT AFFORD TO AVOID THIS CONVERSATION ANY LONGER.  Questions are not the enemy.  The questions raised by Rob Bell—and at this point, they are just questions—those very questions are being asked by 91% of American adults who DO NOT have a biblical worldview.  How are we responding, knowing that the 91% includes many, many believers?     

I don’t believe cutting off the discussion is the answer (i.e. stabbing my neighbor).  It feels like that is exactly what John Piper and others did when they fired the opening shots…seemingly saying it's wrong to ask questions first.  “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (I Cor. 13:1)

It would be much different if Piper had read the book and was responding from the questions stirred in him, prompted by what he had read. After READING the book, if it does indeed promote universalism, then discuss and promote good teaching that counters the misinformation—counter with biblical truth that seeks to inform the 91%.  By all means, enter the discussion, but do so in love.

But seemingly lopping Bell’s ear off (wait, didn’t that happen in scripture?) because one doesn’t agree with what MIGHT be in a book that hasn’t even been read yet… Clanging that gong loudly might appear to get the “truth” across, but the person has no ear left to listen. 

I watched and found Rob Bell’s infamous video clip both unnerving and intriguing.  It flat out messed with me!  Much of what he writes and speaks elicits a similar response in me.  It challenges…it provokes…it forces me to dig around in my heart, my head, and my bible.  But I'm reserving any opinion on the theological foundations of “Love Wins” until after I’ve read the book.  His theology concerning heaven and hell may very well be flawed.  But that should be just the beginning of this discussion, not the ending point.   

In my opinion, too many evangelicals speak as if they've earned the right to be heard—even loudly demanding the right to be heard—when they haven't done a good job listening or asking questions in love, as they move towards the revelation and revolution of truth.  The outspoken critics may be completely correct.  But the fight before the fight makes me wonder who will listen now?  Who will bind the wounds of the hurting and patch the jabs of self-righteousness that cut so deeply into so many?    

I’ve been to seminary so I should have a good handle on this whole heaven and hell dialogue.  But the truth is I feel as if I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface.   The dialogue leads to more questions which leads to more questions which leads to more questions about more and more biblical topics and theology.  I’ve lopped off plenty of ears and ended potential discussions before they ever began by displaying an arrogant attitude that boasted “I’m right and you’re wrong.”  I don’t want to be that person.  For me, that is not honoring the Christ I love.     

The discussion about heaven and hell is endless, and honestly, I love that!!  It gets me excited to dig in and search and explore more along the journey.  Not in an effort to show I know the truth, but in an effort to understand and bridge gaps for those who—like me—are searching for truth wrapped in love. 

We are a band of misfits, all searching for truth and doing it imperfectly.  We never really arrive until we get there.  But for now, we’re stuck with each other on this journey of truth...and love.  Scripture says, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  (Where’s that scripture found?  1 Corinthians 13:12…the LOVE chapter… Hmmmm)

Nine percent is not okay.  We must work together to repair the problem, not increase it.   Love already won over 2000 years ago on a cross.  But it’s not winning today.   Please don’t shoot first, love first.  Please don’t ask questions later, ask them now.  This is a discussion we can no longer avoid.