Like a Good Neighbor?

Rob Bell--- Questions and Answers

 Rob Bell's new book Love Wins has created an amazing amount of criticism---and all of it coming before the book has been released! The criticism comes based on a two and a half minute video introduction that features Bell basically asking questions concerning heaven and hell. The video segment doesn't attempt to answer the questions. The criticism comes from an interesting array of self appointed theological guards of orthodoxy. Heavy weights like Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary and popular writer John Piper have branded Bell a heretic. Many others have jumped on the bandwagon to condemn Bell's book as a departure from biblical truth. 

 I have no idea where Bell's latest book is going. Maybe he does end up embracing universalism. What I find troubling is the tendency to brand someone a heretic for asking questions. Have we reached a place where questions are no longer allowed for people of faith? Are we so insecure in our faith that we label someone heretic for asking questions that may threaten our understanding of truth? 

 Increasingly I find myself more at home with those who dare ask honest questions than those who claim to have all the answers. The problem with those who claim certainty is not their conclusions---it's the fear that demands pat answers that doesn't allow questions. John declares that "perfect love casts out all fear." Maybe Rob Bell is right---at the end of the day Love Wins!

A Simple Act of Civility

The news report stated that the President’s State of the Union address would be different; Senators would cross the aisle and put aside their partisan differences and sit together. This is in response to the shooting that occurred earlier this month in Arizona. It is a way to show respect and unity at a time our nation needs healing.

 Civility is an important and almost forgotten element of contemporary politics and life. Being civil is an act of courtesy, respect, and politeness. These qualities have been missing in recent years, especially in the political arena.

It is easy to point accusing fingers and blame the press and media or a particular party or movement but in reality the fault lies in all of us. A society becomes what it allows. We have become so passionate about policies and procedures that we’ve forgotten to be civil. You can detect this lack of civility by the inability to have discourse about the ideas and issues that matter. This reluctance is seen in every aspect of our culture, churches and classrooms - people afraid to voice their opinion because there is a general lack of consideration and respect.

This lack of civility is detected best in our rhetoric. The way words are used to divide and accuse have become a daily habit. We have become accustomed to this uncivil discourse.

The consequences of this incivility are obvious. Not only do words wound, they divide us. Words of fear and anger fuel division and hatred. Some will minimize this gesture of civility. Some will debunk the effort and question the intention of those who participate in this public show of civility.

It is true, we will still have our differences. There are policies and issues that we will disagree about. But beneath our differences there is a commonality that binds us together. We are Americans – we are human.

All of us only see part of the big picture. Our knowledge is partial at best. This requires a spirit of humility and consideration. I applaud this simple act of civility. It is a symbol that can help us correct the mean-spirited and divisive rhetoric of partisan politics.

I know, sitting together will not fix all that troubles us, but it is a first step toward healing the divide that separates us. After all, maybe if we could sit together we could learn to talk together. Who knows, we may discover we have more in common than we thought.

This call to civility is crucial in the church. The ability to dialogue and question, to discuss and consider ideas and issues is essential. This is the way we grow spiritually. Paul reminds all of us that we see through a glass dimly. Let us honor the only law of Christ and that is to love one another.

Harry Emerson Fosdick said it this way:  “There are many opinions in the field of modern controversy concerning which I am not sure whether they are right or wrong, but there is one thing I am sure of:  courtesy and kindness and tolerance and humility and fairness are right. Opinions may be mistaken but love never is.”

Wade a little deeper

Have you ever visited the ocean? Have you ever watched the waves come ashore? You can walk out into the water and let it splash around your feet. You can wade out a little farther and the water will swirl around your knees. At most beaches you can wade even farther and the water will get shallow again but this is where things start to get interesting. You see, this is where the waves crash and they pile the sand up and although the water is shallow the sandy bottom is always changing and the water is pushing you around. If you walk out a little farther you get to the point where the waves are cresting. If you jump just right you can go over them but after a while you get worn down and eventually your timing will be off and one of those waves will get you and plant you in the sandy bottom. The good news is that if you keep going out even though the water is over your head, you get to a point where you can just float. You see, the salt water actually allows you to float if you just let it.

  Why is this important? Life is a lot like that. You can stand and watch things happen, like looking at the ocean. You can wade in a little and let life happen around you without doing much. You can get a little more involved and sometimes life can become a struggle, like the waves crashing into you. Sometimes the struggle is good, it’s fun, it’s invigorating, and it’s exciting. After a while though, you get worn down. You get tired and you have a choice to make. You can either go back home or somewhere safe or you can get more involved and help someone else instead of feeling sorry for yourself.

 I remember a time when Tammy, Matt and I were in the ocean. We were out where the waves were breaking. We were jumping over the waves and diving through them having fun. Tammy got tired and said she was going back to the shore. We watched her going back and a big wave blocked our view. When the wave crashed, Tammy was gone. We looked for her but she was gone and Matt and I went to find her. She finally popped up almost on the shore. When we got to her she said the wave knocked her over and rolled her along the bottom. She thought she was going to drown. She told Matt and me she was done and would not be going back in.

 I tell this story because when life did this to her she did not head to shore, she waded out a little deeper. When she found out she had cancer she didn’t give up. We had a deal - I would always be there for her as long as she never gave up. Sometimes when she was really beat down from a chemo treatment or she was so tired she had trouble walking from room to room I would ask her if she was giving up and her answer was always the same, NO. She didn’t let life wear her out. She went out and lived life. She relaxed and let God hold her up. I know that some people saw her, felt her confidence and were amazed by it. I have to say I’m happy she helped me to do it also. I’m sure you’ve heard it said that “life happens” and it does, the waves will always crash to shore. And we always have a choice to either head to shore or wade a little deeper. Don’t let life wear you down. Put your trust in God. Let him sustain you and wade a little deeper.