The "Old Time Religion"

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to read Rob Bell's book "Love Wins." Now, I'd read much in the way of controversy and criticism of this book. Needless to say, I was very interested to see what it actually said. My fears as to the ideas put forth in the book were very much confirmed. Along with this reading, last night I watched an hour long interview of Rob Bell on a British radio show called Unbelievable. I suggest watching it >> http://www.premier.tv/index.php/show/unbelievable%3f_debate_-_heaven_%26amp%3b_hell?id=1_qkhmbyby


Originally, I was planning on spending this time discussing and dismantling Rob Bell's arguments. Frankly, that has been done so well by many other men. I am not going to spend time on that. I would simply suggest googling "Rob Bell love wins" and plenty of great articles will come up.


What really concerns me, is the attitude that many American Christians have taken to truth. I experienced this first-hand just this last month. I have realized just how much personal experience leads to our theology. This felt alien to me. I, as a person, am not an incredibly emotional person. Those who know me scoff because well, I have one emotion that does capture me frequently. It's called excitement. Debates and argument incite it within me. The key difference is that this excitement is temporary. Think of your favorite thing to do and then just imagine how excited you get! That's simply how I feel. It's a fleeting feeling that doesn't ultimately have an impact on my soul. However, the emotion I'm talking about is very different. It is a strong, soul searching, intense emotion that leaves scars and imprints on the psyche. I'm not like that. I recently read the book "Blue Like Jazz" and it cemented my realization that people have those kind of emotions. The kind of emotions that change the way they think. Maybe I'm being entirely blind, but I'm very clinical about truth. Truth is sterile. It doesn't care how I feel. There are many things that I believe that break my heart and puzzle my mind and yet, they don't stop being true because I don't like them.


Many Christians in the modern Church are reacting to ideas that they feel are old-fashioned or mean. Frankly, I don't think old is an insult. I think that old things are amazing! I collect books and finding an old book is one of the most acute thrills. Why is new better? Why is the old thrown out? Christianity isn't a fad or a technology that needs to be upgraded every generation. Christianity is the religion of my father, my forefathers, and their fathers too! That's one of the most beautiful things about it. In the storm of life, Christ's Church stands firm. Time rolls over her head and yet she is as beautiful as ever. Are we going to reject orthodoxy because our parents and grandparents are sinners? How preposterous! How can we expect them to be anything else? The Bible says that there is none who is righteous. We want them to accept us and forgive our faults, yet we choose to reject their "Old-timey religion" because of their "hypocrisy" and uptightness. We're no worse than they are! Because they were "too strict", now we're going too far and giving our children a soft Christianity that won't preach the hard stuff like hell. So, because fallen sinners failed to live out God's perfect and upright law, it stops being true? To the contrary, it shows forth OUR own failings!


This, I feel, is a rampant problem. God has blessed me with a wonderful home life. I have two parents who love each other, amazing teachers and role models, an awesome sister, and stability in my life. I really don't understand situations and emotions that are strong enough to shape one's idea of truth. I simply believe The Bible as God's Word and Law. It doesn't change based on how I feel.


God Bless,
Stanley


P.S. I highly recommend reading Blue Like Jazz. It was soft on the Law of God, but it was orthodox on salvation. Also, Donald Miller is a talented writer who draws you in and interests you with his stories and observations.