Francis Chan recently published a response to Rob Bell’s book.
Conservative pastors (whether or not they accept the title) everywhere breathed easier.
I’ve heard it claimed that Bell’s perspective is the offensive one. It's allegedly one that presents itself without giving any credit to the opposing viewpoint, and ipso facto deceives people into trusting in it. It should be noted, however, that up until now hell as eternal punishment and heaven as paradise have been the only seriously considered beliefs on the topic in the popular church. Sure there has been and is plenty of dissent surrounding eschatology, but not like this. Rob Bell has finally managed to get the public to take seriously what's been called a heresy.
Note:
People don’t like to admit that heresy defines anew.
Traditional orthodoxy is a myth. (Consider what else has been called traditional stances, especially regarding women, homosexuality, alcohol, etc.) We do not believe what we used to.
Certainly generally held beliefs exist, but those are as fickle as the wind.
People rally against Bell’s thoughts, fearing the disjoint of their comfortable tradition. They have put far too much work into maintaining ignorance to have one man mess it all up by suggesting something different.
So they waited for their pastor – their master and commander, surely the corner on Truth – to tell them that the bad man was wrong. “He’s silly and got himself caught up in an activity that he’s no good at (namely proclaiming truth) and he should leave it to the pastors that aren’t part of this new-fangled emergent church. Orthodoxy is Truth.”
Phew.
A sigh of relief goes up from the crowd as they find out that they don’t have to critically consider anything after all.
The comforted chuckles
Of the ignorant masses
Chastise the vulnerable prophet.
“I don’t mean to tease,”
Said the Pharisee,
Sure that His was the Truth
As he assured all
of his Humility.
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