This post is part 2 of 3. Part 1 can be read here. The Realities of the Witch Hunts The period of European witch hunts is generally defined as the four centuries between 1400 and 1800. Perhaps in part because of the intriguing, sensational nature of the subject, witch hunts have been blown well out of proportion in terms of their prevalence and victim estimations. According … [Read more...]
Genocide and the God of the Old Testament
Many people take issue with the idea that God commanded the Jewish nation to initiate war against the Canaanites, ordering them to wipe them out and take their land for their own. Not only have some people rejected Christianity over this, but it has even spurred some Christians to leave the faith. Are the critics of the Old Testament and Christianity in general correct when … [Read more...]
Love Wins Critique (Conclusion)
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 (I conclude my critique of Bell's book and also provide further resources) What Are The Implications of the Doctrine of Hell? First, what are the implications of Bell’s view? One issue is a modified view of God as his love has been redefined so that he is no longer holy. The view seems concerned with rescuing the … [Read more...]
The Problem of Evil
The problem of evil is for many people a significant intellectual and emotional obstacle to faith. The logical problem of evil attempts to show that the existence of evil in the world is incompatible with the existence of God. It then concludes God does not exist. This is one way of formulating it. The Problem of Evil: Premise 1: People suffer. Premise 2: Suffering is … [Read more...]
Love Wins Critique (Part 6)
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 (in this part, I examine the importance the doctrine of hell and whether I've been "judgmental" of Rob Bell) Is Hell an Essential or Core Christian Doctrine? How are doctrines important? Additionally, where does the doctrine of hell fall when it comes to essential Christian doctrine? Paul warns us in Acts 20:27-31: For I have not … [Read more...]
Love Wins Critique (Part 5)
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 (In this part I examine Bell's motivations and supporters for this book/view) What are Bell’s Motivations? This is a difficult question to answer as no one really knows the inner thoughts, desires and motivations of another individual (except God). I’ve also asked myself if Bell is intentionally trying to deceive the reader. Some of his … [Read more...]
On the Connecticut Shooting
What can be said in the face of evil like this? Let’s start with the obvious in a tragedy like this. There are no easy answers. There are no pat solutions. It is not going to be the case that we enact a new law on gun control and the problem goes away. It is not going to be the case that we ban violent video games and the problem goes away. It is not the case that we do X, Y, … [Read more...]
Love Wins Critique (Part 4)
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 Major Problems with Love Wins As stated in my introduction, I will be unable to address every one of the problems found in Love Wins. However I will address three major errors I found around Bell’s notion of God’s will, his interpretation of the word “eternal” and his understanding about hell being “here and now.” I would refer to the reader to the … [Read more...]
Hell and the Character of God
A few years ago, the United States played a major role in bringing democracy to a small Middle Eastern country owned by a very wealthy oil sheikh named Aamir Karim. Instead of a dictatorship, the country was to be ruled by a prime minister elected by the people. … [Read more...]
Some Thoughts on Hell
Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people living for today - John Lennon (1) John Lennon asked us to imagine there’s no heaven. I’ve tried, but all I come up with is hell. Many things occur on this planet that demand judgment and punishment, but many go unpunished. If there is no certainty of punishment, there is … [Read more...]