Universalism and Rob Bell

Image by Keegan Jones via Flickr

One of the more refreshing theologians Rob Bell has caused quite a stir with evangelicals with who claim that his new book yet to come out 'Love Wins', advocates 'universalism' everyone gets to heaven.
Its an interesting charge because his new book hasn't even come out yet. It seems to be speculation or good marketing!
It reminded me of a blog post regarding Rob Bell and homosexuality, which I penned a few years ago. It turned out that again the person making the accusations had not read any of Rob Bells material and his ammunition came from a Pentecostal church somewhere in Tasmania.

I find it interesting how quick people jump to conclusion without real wisdom of pondering.

Universalism yet is an interesting charge. I've found in a lot of my readings theologicans and writers on the edge of wavering towards universalism. I name Brain Mclaren and Baxter Kruger (Love that name!)

For me the edge is the place to be. I'm still a believer in justice. Yet I don't think justice and universalism fit easily together. Yet I know that grace and universalism do. Grace and love are everything about God. So I'm on the edge.

It would be interesting a Church where there was a strong conviction of universalism. Much of the moral compass of the Church would disappear. Everyone would be accepted because the playing field has been flattened. Everyone is in. Maybe it would become a place of caring for the soul.

Some interesting Australian Blog about Rob Bell::

Jarrad McKenna, on ABC online
An Annabaptist in Perth
Backyard missionary

An the USA

Brian Mclaren's response

Karma and Christianity

Karma should be one of those points in my post 'Spirituality of the Everyday'. Karma is something which most people have a pretty good understanding of without a 'religious' background. At its simplist if you do good then good will come back to you. Likewise if you do bad it will catch up with you.
A constant theme which comes up with my reading of Laurence Freeman's 'Jesus, the Teacher within' is the idea of Karma and how it interacts with Christianity.

The sacrificial love of Jesus highlights the moral meaning of the universe, the gift of unconditional love that awaits us at the heart of reality. In contrast to the mechanistic view of sin and punishment based on karma, love transcends the dichotomy of reward and punishment. this is the 'scandal of the Cross', its affronts to the rational mind. We cannot perceive its moral meaning without also seeing how all-pervading is the activity of sacrifice throughout the universe.

On reflecting upon this I can see the more extreme forms of Christianity such as fundamentalism  and some pentecostals are more about Karma.  If you follow our rules and hang out with us then you are in, and will get to heaven. If you don't then doom will prevail and you will end up in hell. Like wise there prophesies. If the government supports same sex relationships then drought and bushfire will await. They are all based around idea of Karma.

Yet Christianity has, as Freeman calls it the 'scandal of the Cross', which brings about unconditional love or another word for it grace. It breaks Karma. The thing about a sovereign God is that often when we expect karma to strike, grace abounds. It is not for us mortal beings to know when or how the formula works. Unlike Karma.

Pluralism

I'm currently reading a book by Eugene Peterson 'Christ plays in 1000 places'. I have in the process noticed a shift in myself.

Peterson makes a number of references of how the bible is the place of objectivity in all things; this is not an exact quote. Whenever I hear this type of reference in the Bible there is something deep down which makes me cringe. I'm not sure what it is that makes me cringe but I do know that there has been deep shifts. The Bible is very important to me, it is something that I aspire to read most days. The meta themes through out the Bible are those which I try to see in life. Beauty, Love, Justice, Mercy, Redemption, Grace. The narratives, poetry and other genres make for everlasting reading.
Yet I find it hard to not look around at creation and other cultures and not see these meta themes mentioned. I'm totally convinced of the person of Jesus and what happened upon the cross. Yet when it comes to other cultures where his named is shunned, I still believe he has an influence. That the meta themes could and are played out; even though perhaps in ignorance. Still ultimately through the work of Jesus. (Romans 8:34 ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.)
So what about the book 'Christ Plays in 10000 places', and Petersons reference to the ultimate authority of the bible. Well I'm not sure, I know that I'm uneasy with that type of language these days...