Sep 27, 2011
Posted by Scripture Solutions on Sep 27, 2011 | Comments Off on The Salvation Controversy That Won’t Go Away
Pastor Rob Bell’s best-selling book Love Wins has come and gone despite being plastered on the front cover of Time Magazine in April 2011. The focus of the dilemma raised by Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, MI, is whether hell is a real place and is God going to “send anyone to hell” in the final scheme of things.
Bell’s controversial views attracted the hearts of people who would rather not think about hell and their eternal destiny and just hope for the best when it comes to the afterlife.
In addition, Love Wins caused an upset among evangelical Christians who believe the pastor is denying the fundamentals of traditional Christian doctrine. Samaritan’s Purse President, Franklin Graham even went so far as calling Bell a “heretic and a false teacher” on FOX-TV’s Bill O’Reilly show.
Though the heart of the conflict is no longer in the lens of the media, Christians cannot allow Bell’s denial of Christian truth to be ignored. However, the real controversy is not about Bell’s view on hell, but rather on his teaching on salvation.
In his book Bell asks a series of rhetorical questions that would ordinarily come from a fifth grade student inquiring about God’s fairness. In today’s blog, I’d like to respond to some of Bell’s juvenile questions. (more…)
Mar 7, 2011
Posted by Scripture Solutions on Mar 7, 2011 | Comments Off on Becoming A Warrior of Peace
Peace Not Always Possible
Christians have digested the idea that the majority of our contacts with other individuals should be peaceful and non-offensive. After all, Romans 12:18 reads,” If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (NASB).”
However, notice the important two words, “if possible.” In other words, it’s not always possible. In fact, Paul lays the responsibility upon every follower of Christ to “be at peace with all men” so far as “it depends on you.”
What is a true peacemaker?
Do what you can to establish peaceful relationships with people at work, individuals who attend church with you or persons you come into contact with in your everyday world of shopping, driving and working out at the gym.
Just today I sat next to a Korean War veteran at the Veterans Administration who was attempting to collect vacation pay from sixty years ago when he served in Korea. His greediness upset me and I told him that the government is not his mother and father. I was not too peaceful. I firmly told him that his reward as a Korean vet was the privilege of serving his country.
Was I a peacemaker? Better yet, is a peacemaker someone who never voices a contrary opinion?
Many pastors have misunderstood passages like Matthew 5:9 in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus pronounces a blessing on “the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” In contrast, Jesus says in Matthew 10:34 that He did not come to to “send peace on earth . . . but a sword.”
Why the apparent contradiction? On one hand, the gospel message describes how one can find peace with God by accepting Jesus as Redeemer and Lord. Actually, the one who shares the message of redemption through Christ is true peacemaker.
However, this peace-giving message is also a stumbling block to those who do not want to humble themselves and recognize their own sins. Families, according to Jesus, can be torn apart by His saving message of grace (Matthew 10:35-36).
Jesus’ message can be reconciling to some and divisive to others. Why? Because the gospel exposes the darkness of our own hearts. Rather than repent and accept the knowledge of the truth through the Son of God, people would rather gravitate towards darkness and animosity towards Jesus and His followers. (more…)
Mar 3, 2011
Posted by Scripture Solutions on Mar 3, 2011 | Comments Off on You’re Invited To The Scripture Solutions Blog
Are you bombarded by invitations like I am? I’m invited to add friends on Facebook and business acquaintances on Linkedin. I receive requests from meet-up groups to network with like-minded individuals in my profession. Invites flow like a river for me to sign up on my one-millionth email list, return to college, attend a friend’s birthday party via an eInvite or meet up with a neighborhood insurance salesperson.
One Invite You Can’t Pass Up
Someone where floating on the choppy sea of invitations is the one invite I cannot ignore, and that’s the invitation from the Lord to spend time in His word. In this weekly blog my goal is to help you respond to God’s invitation to attend His presence and to serve as your host to introduce you to the timeless truths of Scripture. Now, how can you pass up such an invitation?
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