I'm with you...and so glad I'm long gone from circles where Rob Bell was dismissed as a heretic in such an authoritative, final way that folks like me didn't even both to read his stuff and decide for ourselves...
Regarding whether the Good News Gospel is about the resurrection or loving one another better, I don't see it as either/or but as both. Paul - who was personally instructed by Jesus for three years in the Arabian desert - writes in Romans 10:9 (KJV), "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved," stressing the importance of the resurrection. Jesus said in John 13:34 (KJV), "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Believing what Jesus did for us through the cross and resurrection - suffering to pay the penalty for our sins, dying, and rising in victory so we can have fellowship with God and spend eternity with Him - and understanding the depth of love such a sacrifice required on Jesus's part - ought to fill our hearts with such profound gratitude that it spills over into our relationships and dealings with others to the point where we become willing to forgive those who have wronged us and to love all people despite the ways they may look, think, and act differently from us. Can a person extend love to others and not believe in the resurrection? Yes, but how much greater is the depth, sincerity, unconditionality, and meaningfulness of love when it comes from the Holy Spirit living within us - whom we receive upon salvation - rather than from our mere meager humanity? I believe the resurrection and love are deeply intertwined.
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara! Follow up question.... do you think it's possible to be guided by the Holy Spirit, even if our religious beliefs don't line up with Christianity?
Hi there! To me the Good News is both loving others and being reconciled to God through Jesus and his teachings. You can love others and not believe in Jesus. The ways and words of Jesus are inclusive and lead us to the Father. I’m afraid our religions and the rules we’ve created around them are the reasons Jesus came to show us a different way. ❤️
Thanks for your thoughts, friend. I definitely agree with your last sentence. It seems to me that Jesus's message was about freeing us from legalism and religious hardships. He was trying to realign the Jews away from man-made religious rules that weren't serving them. Sadly, it didn't take long for Christianity to fall into the same trap. Love and miss you!
I'm with you...and so glad I'm long gone from circles where Rob Bell was dismissed as a heretic in such an authoritative, final way that folks like me didn't even both to read his stuff and decide for ourselves...
There were many "heretics" that I was told to stay away from including Rob and Rachel Held Evans. So glad I finally checked out their writings!
Yes!! Especially Rachel Held Evans <3
Amen and alleluia
Thank you for sharing the podcast! 😊
I love it! Thanks for doing it.
Regarding whether the Good News Gospel is about the resurrection or loving one another better, I don't see it as either/or but as both. Paul - who was personally instructed by Jesus for three years in the Arabian desert - writes in Romans 10:9 (KJV), "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved," stressing the importance of the resurrection. Jesus said in John 13:34 (KJV), "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Believing what Jesus did for us through the cross and resurrection - suffering to pay the penalty for our sins, dying, and rising in victory so we can have fellowship with God and spend eternity with Him - and understanding the depth of love such a sacrifice required on Jesus's part - ought to fill our hearts with such profound gratitude that it spills over into our relationships and dealings with others to the point where we become willing to forgive those who have wronged us and to love all people despite the ways they may look, think, and act differently from us. Can a person extend love to others and not believe in the resurrection? Yes, but how much greater is the depth, sincerity, unconditionality, and meaningfulness of love when it comes from the Holy Spirit living within us - whom we receive upon salvation - rather than from our mere meager humanity? I believe the resurrection and love are deeply intertwined.
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara! Follow up question.... do you think it's possible to be guided by the Holy Spirit, even if our religious beliefs don't line up with Christianity?
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit guided people before Christianity began. With God, all things are possible. :)
Thank you for that! Have a wonderful day!
Hi there! To me the Good News is both loving others and being reconciled to God through Jesus and his teachings. You can love others and not believe in Jesus. The ways and words of Jesus are inclusive and lead us to the Father. I’m afraid our religions and the rules we’ve created around them are the reasons Jesus came to show us a different way. ❤️
Thanks for your thoughts, friend. I definitely agree with your last sentence. It seems to me that Jesus's message was about freeing us from legalism and religious hardships. He was trying to realign the Jews away from man-made religious rules that weren't serving them. Sadly, it didn't take long for Christianity to fall into the same trap. Love and miss you!