Love Wins Review: Part 2

Another great chapter, and one that many people seem to be skipping in their reviews, in favor of getting to the juicer and more controversial stuff! This chapter is called "Here is the New There" and it's a discussion of heaven.

In this chapter, Rob takes some time to discuss what heaven is. What did Jesus think about heaven? What does the Bible say about heaven? I've heard that it's much like N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope" (haven't read it); but I'll summarize Rob for you.

Heaven is right now, somewhere else. This is our traditional understanding of heaven - that it is in fact somewhere, right now, out of our field of understanding.

But Heaven is also right here, sometime in the future. Heaven will be on Earth (Revelation talks of Heaven coming down to Earth). So there is at least potential, where we are, for Heaven.

And finally, the least understood aspect of Heaven, is that we are invited to create heaven here and now, in this moment, in this place.

That's a quick summary of the chapter. One common criticism I have read of "Love Wins" is Rob's use of the greek word "Aion." Aion is most commonly translated as "forever." However, Rob wants to drag us back to some of the other meanings of the word - "eternal" It can also refer to "a particular intensity of experience that transcends time." I know just enough greek to be dangerous, so I can only make a small comment. What some of the greek scholars and theologians on the internet seem to be taking Bell to task for (choosing a meaning based on what fits his thoughts best) can be turned around very easily. I don't know what the correct translation of Aion is in these passages - but I don't think that vitriol or belittlement is deserved either way.

No matter how you define Aion, the rest of Rob's points hold pretty well in this chapter. He hasn't (yet) gotten away from much in the way of orthodox belief; he is simply using words and phrases at this point that we are unfamiliar with.

Two more things I want to discuss about this chapter: Rob talks about the "flames of heaven" and how in the light of perfect love and perfect judgement how uncomfortable we'll feel. Imagine being a racist in heaven, and realizing that 'those' people are here too. Rob talks about how these parts of ourselves, the sinful dark areas, will be burned away by the light of God's love. It's still a learning experience, Rob believes, because we are not instantly an entirely different person upon death. "Heaven is a starting over. Learning how to be human all over again..."

Also, Rob touches on superstring theory a bit, which made me smile, because it's one of my favorite concepts and ideas. For more of my thoughts, and a basic idea of superstring theory and what it means, check this post out.

Next chapter is simply "Hell."

Love Wins Review: Part 1

After much reading and much talk, I finally got my copy of "Love Wins: A book about Heaven, Hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived" by Rob Bell.

A quick primer, for those of you who didn't catch wind of anything. Rob Bell is the founding pastor of the church I used to go to in Michigan (Mars Hill Bible Church, which is not related to Mars Hill Church/Mark Driscoll). Rob has written a few other great books (Velvet Elvis, Sex God, Jesus Wants To Save Christians). This one achieved a very controversial status after Rob posted a promotional video for Love Wins, with people accusing Rob of heresy and universalism. You can find the gamut of opinions and responses if you look on the internet, but I thought I would offer my thoughts on the book. I'm going to go through the book chapter by chapter and talk about my responses, the controversies as I understand them, and what I think is important in what I'm reading.

The first chapter (What about the Flat Tire?) is in my opinion the best. It reiterates some of the points from the video - "Gandhi's in Hell? Really? And someone knows that for sure?" And then Rob, in typical Rob fashion, goes to town. He just starts asking questions, sharing biblical stories, and highlighting what different stories say about salvation. For example he gives the following list, with each idea coming from how different biblical stories related someones salvation:

“So is it what we say,

or is it who we are,

or is what we do,

or is it what we say we’re going to do,

or is it who your friends are,

or who you’re married to,

or whether you give birth to children?

Or is what questions you’re asked?

Or is what questions you ask in return?”

And that's really all this chapter offers. Stories and the questions that arise from them. And at the end of the chapter, Rob says that this isn't a book of questions, and it's time to start looking at some answers.

One criticism I've heard of Rob is that he asks questions but doesn't provide answers. Well, the end of this chapter was a huge relief in that regard - no, Love Wins isn't going to just poke holes in salvation, ask questions and provide no answers.

I do think this is the most important chapter in the book. Whether or not you agree with the picture that Rob paints from here on out, you have to recognize that the area that we try to plant the flag of our faith on is not as much as a rock as we want it to. There are confusing and contradictory images of how we are saved, and these are in the Bible. We need to recognize that and think about it.

Next Chapter: Here is the New There

Elements of Story: Plot

I did a recent little series on story telling, where I told three stories and asked you to help me analyze them. I outlined four key essentials to any story - a place, a plot, people, and conflict. Now I'm interested in working through those essentials and would like to start with Plot.

Don't start with plot as the basis of your story, first off. The basis of your story should be your characters - the natural conflict in your characterizations will lead to your plot. I'm starting with plot now because I already have an idea of what to say.

Most plots can be broken down into a plot archetype. There are many ways of identifying the different plot archetypes, and I've narrowed it down to this particular list of seven (By Christopher Booker).

1. Overcoming the Monster - the protagonist learns of a great evil and sets out to destroy it. (Terminator)
2. Rags to Riches - the protagonist moves from a place of oppression to a place of glory. (Aladdin)
3. The Quest - the protagonist learns of something that must be done/received and sets out to do it. (Indiana Jones)
4. Voyage and Return - the protagonist leaves his calm and peaceful world and enters a place of adventure, only to return as a more mature individual (Inception)
5. Comedy - the protagonist is prevented from reaching his goal (usually marriage) by the opposition, and is finally allowed to get his happy ending (The Princess Bride)
6. Tragedy - not the opposite of a comedy, but the opposite of overcoming the monster; the protagonist spirals down into darkness, eventually becoming the monster (Macbeth)
7. Rebirth - the protagonist begins a downward spiral into darkness (like in a tragedy), but repents and is 'reborn' (Let's go with Star Wars, and Anakin Skywalker in particular)

Obviously, stories can have elements of all these plots in them. The larger the story, the more plots it will contain. "Lord of the Rings" taps on all 7 of these plots at some point; "Jaws" taps on three to five; "Little Red Riding Hood" really only has one or two.

Now we have 7 types of stories. We need to evaluate what stories we are telling and what categories they fit into. This can help us 'lean' down stories and trim the fat of filler. For example, if I was trying to tell a story about a young man who sets out to fight a grizzly bear, I would want to trim the focus from his relationships or his finances, as though are different types of stories.

This can help us focus on our lives as well - what types of stories are we leading? Are we slowly edging into a tragedy - becoming our parents?!? Are we focused only on the rags to riches, trying to climb a corporate ladder? Do we view our lives as a comedy, where everything conspires against us and we must strive to get our happy ending? And if we like the story we're telling, perhaps we need to cut out the parts that don't add to the story, so we can tell a better story.

I want a great story for my life (and for the stories I tell). I want an epic story like "Lord of the Rings," not a cgi-filled yet empty and meaningless story like "Transformers."

Strengths: Communication

Strength #1: Communication

Wait, what does that mean? I find it easy to put my thoughts into words. I'm a good conversationalist and presenter.I am rarely tongue-tied; and find ways to present my ideas in reasonable, sequential, and methodical ways. I am a storyteller.

How do I use this knowledge? Suggested action steps:

Consider publishing your work.

Volunteer for opportunities to present.

Spend words wisely and monitor their impact.

Develop knowledge and expertise in specific areas.

Leading with Communication: Find ways to build others up, in writing. Offer praise and collect success stories.

Roles in which I would succeed: Marketing, sales, ministry, or media.

Strengths: Strategic

Strength #2: Strategic

Wait, what does that mean? I am talented in finding alternate ways to proceed. I can quickly spot relevant patterns and issues. I develop action plans, sometimes finding solutions before others can even understand the question. I have little to no interest in repeating the mistakes of the past.

How do I use this knowledge? Suggested action steps:

Because I can see repercussions ahead of time, plan my range of responses in detail.

Consider all possible paths toward making a vision a reality - think of all potential obstacles.

Help others understand that I'm not a naysayer - I'm trying to examine how to accomplish the idea.

Trust my intuitive insights

Leading with Strategic: Discuss options candidly and thoroughly with all involved. Apply strategic thinking with relationships - map out how to invest and build the relationships with those who have the most influence in my life. Use my gift to see ways when others think it's hopeless.

Roles in which I would succeed: Management, producers, entrepreneurs

Song to Chew on

Found this song strangely compelling yesterday:

Put your dreams away for now
I won’t see you for some time
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Momma once told me
You’re already home where you feel love
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Oh my brother
Your wisdom is all that I need
Oh my brother
Don’t you worry ‘bout me
Don’t you worry
Don’t you worry
Don’t worry about me

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

Lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Oh I get Lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Yes I get lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost
Oh I get lost
Oh I get

Strengths: Input

Strength #3: Input

Wait, what does that mean? I have a desire to know more; a lust to collect and archive information. I like to read - a lot, and collect what I read. (Helps explain why I have such a large collection of books!)

How do I use this knowledge? Suggested action steps:

Devise a system to store and easily locate information.

"Input without output can lead to stagnation." - Be aware of who can use the knowledge and use my other gifts to get the knowledge to them.

Schedule time to read books and articles that stimulate you.

Increase your vocabulary.

Roles in which I would succeed: Teaching, Research, Journalism