I'm not going to name names, but there will be links so you can find out all the information.
Recently a North Carolina student-pastor from Duke had a mutual agreement with his congregation that he would step down as pastor. He claims that it was related to a blog post where he said something to the effect that Hell doesn't exist and that all souls will be saved. He took the "Universalist Theology" approach. I'll post some links to the bottom of this, but I want to clarify some rumors that I've heard (or anticipate hearing).
RUMOR: Duke Divinity School is a liberal (as in "anything goes") seminary.
FACT: Nothing is further from the truth. Of course at almost any seminary, there will be pockets of that, I have not come into contact at all with those who deviate from orthodox (i.e. traditional) Christianity (Check comments on any of my term papers and you will see that if we even allude to a deviation from orthodoxy, it is caught). In our assignments, we are challenged by alternative beliefs and condemned heresies, but the school promotes an traditional protestant theology. Christ is Savior, Holy Spirit works in people, God the Father, authority of Scriptures, etc.
RUMOR: This person was fired because he is a Universalist (one who believes all will go to Heaven despite beliefs or how they lived their lives).
FACT: That was only one issue among many. I do not know this person, but from the reports, he has used the Divinity School in an unethical way. He had interviews with various news media in our Chapel. While he didn't say that this is a Duke belief, he used Duke property to promote his agenda. He has also had problems in the past with his church on other issues which you can find in links at the bottom.
RUMOR: Rob Bell's book Love Wins (proves there is no Hell).
FACT: I have not read this book, but from trusted people who have read it, it is an emotional plea rather than a fact based book. Of course as Christians we'd love to see everyone saved, but that is only something God can decide...we don't get a vote. We can only spread the Gospel as we know it. How God deals with others who haven't heard the Gospel or the chance to understand it, I don't know.
FACT: Rob Bell also said he is NOT a Universalist. He said he's just challenging what he sees as misunderstandings of Hell.
FACT: Rob Bell is an author and a pastor. Authors (for the most part) write to make money. That doesn't confirm nor deny their positions, but it has to be taken into account.
RUMOR: This NC pastor appealed to Rob Bell's Book Love Wins for his blog post.
FACT: From what I understand, this may be true. Judge that for yourself by reading related links.
RUMOR: Methodist Pastors cannot speak their minds.
FACT: Not true. We can speak our minds, but always remembering that we represent Christ. That is not oppression, but a job we were called to do. When we accepted the call, we accepted all that went with it.
RUMOR: Methodists are a bunch of liberals and not a "real church."
FACT: Methodists are diverse. Of course (as in any religion and denomination), there are liberals, moderates, and conservatives. While we have an efficient system to keep our message on point and about Christ, there are bound to be people who "slip through."
FACT: I also reject the terms "liberal," "conservative," and "moderate." Also, I reject terms like "fundamentalist," "progressive," and other such terms. WHY? There are too many stereotypes involved with each term. Here's an example of a hypothetical person: Pacifist, Pro-Life, Bible has authority, patriotic, pro-universal health care (this again is not a real person...just a set of issues). How would one characterize that person? Can't be "Liberal" because they're pro-life and believe in Biblical Authority. Can't be conservative because they are pacifist and pro-universal health care. Dividing people into Liberal/Conservative are POLITICAL distinctions, NOT RELIGIOUS distinctions. What makes a fundamentalist a fundamentalist? If the person believes in Christ, is that not fundamental to the faith? If the person also interprets books such as Daniel and Jeremiah to be about the Babylonian exile and not the Second Coming of Christ, is that not fundamental because that was the original understanding? Labels divide and we need to stop using them.
RUMOR: God saves people through Christ.
FACT: True. How God works in areas of the world where the Gospel can't be preached (i.e. Saudi Arabia, parts of India, parts of China, etc.) I don't know. BUT, to assume that God isn't working there shows a lack of faith in God and in Christ. That's not a Universalist statement, but rather a statement that God cares about all creation.
RUMOR: This blog poster is exceptionally handsome.
FACT: Very true! In fact, I'm a former body builder champion. Believe that one????
Here is the most balanced link I could find about this story: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=9260313&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+umnsheadlines+%28United+Methodist+News+Service+Headlines%29
No comments:
Post a Comment