Heresy, Universalism and Christian Mud-Slinging

Textbook definitions:

Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. 

Universalism refers to salvation or life after death irregardless of religious beliefs (Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, etc) or denominational affiliation. 

Social definitions:

Heresy refers to what "the Other" believes, and by implication, that one's personal dogma is the Truth.  Common insult in interdenominational arguments. 

Universalism is a dirty word referring to the novel idea that progressive, interfaith, ecumenical, or emergent congregations are making a break with traditional religious and/or denominational dogma prescribing one way to salvation.  (ie., their way)

The link below discusses the backlash to author and Pastor Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.  It bears mention that this book is not even released yet, (March 29) and is already getting people talking.  And engaging in Christian mud-slinging. 

What is a heretic exactly in the evangelical church?

Rob Bell is the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, MI.  I have had the privilege of attending this church and meeting Rob Bell, and I am reasonably sure that he is not a godless heathen or a heretic directly imbued with the power of hell.  His books are thought-provoking, and perhaps more importantly, conversation-provoking.  But there will always be people who are frightened by the questions that tear open the very core of their belief systems. 

In the promotional video Bell refers to the nonviolent Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, and asks, "Gandhi's in hell? He is?"


"And someone knows this for sure?" Bell continues. "Will billions and billions of people burn forever in hell? And if that's the case how do you become one of the few? "


The Christian mud-slinging came swift and strong. 
 
In a post from Justin Taylor, on the conservative Christian blog, The Gospel Coalition, comes the first criticism:

"The New Testament is pretty clear if someone preaches a false gospel… that we are to reject that and have nothing to do with them.


We’re talking about the big things here, things that have been historically defined as orthodox, " he said. "I have a high degree of confidence in what God is saying and what we can understand.


I’m glad that Rob Bell has the integrity to be lay his cards on the table about universalism. It seems that this is not just optimism about the fate of those who haven’t heard the Good News, but (as it seems from below) full-blown hell-is-empty-everyone-gets-saved universalism."
 
The outcry was taken up by several other predominant conservative evangelical leaders, and a full-blown controversy was born.  I am perplexed by the idea that anyone can have a "high degree of confidence in what God is saying".  Dear Mr. Taylor, were you there?  Can you really ever know?  Faith by its very definition means holding something to be true without necessarily having a high degree of confidence. 
 
What gets under my skin is the idea that conversation between faiths and denominations is a bad thing, and that by opening up to the perspective of the other or even entertaining the idea of universal salvation, we are on a slippery slope to hell ourselves.  This argumentative fallacy has been used for hundreds of years to shut down conversation that questions established doctrine or the powers that be.   It has perpetuated power structures, marginalization and outright hate in the name of religion. 
 
I think that anything that invites genuine conversation and a willingness to listen is a great idea.  My personal beliefs are not entirely relevant here (although I have been accused of being a universalist and don't believe in hell).  What is relevant is not shutting down the discussion without even considering the fact that we could learn from one another.  This is something I struggle with too, and it is on the forefront of my consciousness daily.  Just as firmly as conservative critics believe Rob Bell to be wrong, I believe them to be wrong.  But why can't we meet in the middle and have a civil conversation? 

Unexpected bits of joy

I enjoy seeing the little things around me that are funny, quirky or sweet.  Here are two examples that I have stumbled upon in the last couple days.

Every week I buy my eggs from a family at our school.  Last week, I opened up my carton to see a tiny Valentine!

Below is a poster from my favorite coffee shop in Denver.  Fun.

What is love?

For people that know me, it rarely comes as a surprise that I offer my opinion on just about everything.  However, it may come as a surprise that I do not feel particularly strong one way or another about Valentine's Day.  I get a kick out of "St Hallmark's Day", and generally frown at wild and rampant consumerism, but I don't really mind Valentine's Day.  In fact, because red is my favorite color and I love chocolate perhaps more than any other food, I kind of like the holiday.  I have spent a lot of Valentine's Days in relationships, and a lot of Valentine's Days single, so I don't attach much importance to it in that regard.  Frankly, if you are truly in love shouldn't every day be like Valentine's Day?  (and shouldn't I be writing Hallmark cards instead of grant proposals?) 

Sometimes people try to garner sympathy by drawing attention to their single status on the so-called day of love.  Or try to feel good about being single by going on "dates" with their friends or sisters or dog, et al.   Whatever you need to do for self-empowerment is fine by me, but please don't drag Jesus into your romantic self-involvment.  

This morning in my facebook newsfeed was a peculiar little gem from a high school friend.  Her status from yesterday was "Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Jesus is my Valentine and He made me feel loved and beautiful today!"  Great.  Congratulations.  Happy for you.     Excuse me while I go pull my hair out, one painful strand at a time.  Jesus is not your boyfriend.  It is kind of early in the day for deep theological pondering, so I will climb down off my soapbox.  But before I go...

I am trying really hard not to be judgmental, but this is Bad Theology.  Reducing Jesus to the level of a junior high boyfriend is sick and kind of arrogant.  It puts Jesus into a box, assumes that you know the way Jesus operates, and that Jesus' goal is to make you feel good about yourself because you don't have a boyfriend.  Ick.  While Jesus might indeed be doing that (I have no wish to speculate here), there are a few more pressing issues at hand in our world.  God loves you, but God loves everyone else too. 

This "Personal Relationship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" theology is empty, leaves no room for wonder and is "me-focused" instead of "other-focused."    Faith and community with others in the name of faith frees us to love and serve one another.  That is love.  We are not called to leverage our "personal relationship" for our own gain.   It smacks a bit of the Prosperity Gospel.  But that is an entirely different discussion. 

Just my two cents...

Another edition of things that are silly and in the news

1. Wildlife management at its finest:
Country music used to deter unwelcome bear

I run away from country music too. 

2. Lost pet found after one month:
Lost snake found after one month on subway

My favorite quote is the owner saying she will be more careful when bringing her snake out in public in th future. 

Or how about not bringing it out at all?  I can say that one of my worst nightmares would be encountering an unaccompanied boa constrictor on my commuter train.   

3. Another example of Christian love exemplified:
Mom says Church threatened to kick her out over gay blog post

I am with this mom 100%.  If her son wants to wear a dress, and it makes him happy, let him live it up!  Aren't there bigger things to worry about?  Her son chose to dress up as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween and she chose to support him in that.  Her church barred her from communion and threatened to kick her out unless she took down her blog post.  Seriously, shouldn't we be worried about fighting AIDS or hunger or something? 

4. Latest wrinkle in the healthcare debate
GOP at it again...
Abortion funding for rape victims

I have been pretty outspoken in my criticism of the anti-choice lobby.  I don't agree with a lot of what they argue, but I can at least respect where they are coming from,  however this latest wrinkle in the healthcare debate is a new low.  The first link describes the proposed legislation, and the second is a video satire from The Daily Show. 

5. And what post with my commentary on the news would be complete without something about Sarah Palin?
Denver group cancels Sarah Palin appearance because of unspecified "security concerns"

Dear Sarah Palin, please don't ever go away. 

Ice's stark beauty

I think that there is really profound beauty in the starkness of ice crystals.  Even when they happen to be accumulating INSIDE my house which is where these pictures were taken.