There are a growing number of Christian writers who want a gentler, kinder Hell but can not escape or get totally away from it. Whether that be Sharon Baker's book "Razing Hell" or Rob Bell's "Love Wins," the tension of God's retributive and restorative justice and character of love and holiness are so interwoven together that these Jesus followers try to creatively or imaginatively deal with them despite the fall out from those on the right or the left.
Bell provocatiely says things like those most concerned about others going to hell seem less concerned about them going through hell on earth now. And then there are always those who are concerned for others going through earthly hells but don't seem concerned at all about the possibility of hell after death.
The context of Jesus fiery hell sermons were aimed directly at the religious establishment, not the irreligous pagan and non-believer. Something the church needs to rehear and look in the mirror first before they look out the windows at others.
But where I think Bell shines the most is on his discussion of the story of the rich man and Lazerus. Bell keeps Jesus audience so in mind (something that most ministers forget to do) that he sees Jesus point about not listening to someone who has raised from the dead as a powerful reminder of what his audience was missing in Jesus own upcoming death and resurrection. That the whole gospel message is about life over death, losing one's life to find it, and living out the kindom today so that one may experience its riches in the future.
Bell says Jesus is brilliant in the way he tells the message. Bell is also brilliant by showing in a powerful way what is often in the text but missed anyway. So maybe the issue is not to raze hell but to resurrect it in such a way that today's listeners can truly see the many ways hell comes to us in the eternal now and the eternal future. Something to think about . . .
Bell provocatiely says things like those most concerned about others going to hell seem less concerned about them going through hell on earth now. And then there are always those who are concerned for others going through earthly hells but don't seem concerned at all about the possibility of hell after death.
The context of Jesus fiery hell sermons were aimed directly at the religious establishment, not the irreligous pagan and non-believer. Something the church needs to rehear and look in the mirror first before they look out the windows at others.
But where I think Bell shines the most is on his discussion of the story of the rich man and Lazerus. Bell keeps Jesus audience so in mind (something that most ministers forget to do) that he sees Jesus point about not listening to someone who has raised from the dead as a powerful reminder of what his audience was missing in Jesus own upcoming death and resurrection. That the whole gospel message is about life over death, losing one's life to find it, and living out the kindom today so that one may experience its riches in the future.
Bell says Jesus is brilliant in the way he tells the message. Bell is also brilliant by showing in a powerful way what is often in the text but missed anyway. So maybe the issue is not to raze hell but to resurrect it in such a way that today's listeners can truly see the many ways hell comes to us in the eternal now and the eternal future. Something to think about . . .
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