Hellbound? A thought provoking film and a missed opportunity.

A friend and former mentor during my time in Boy Scouts posted a link to a video on Facebook today that piqued my interest. When Pastor Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" came out in 2011 I did a fair amount of writing about it. Bell came under a lot of scrutiny for his book that asked hard questions about heaven, hell, the afterlife, and what that means for us on earth. The most outraged called him a heretic, and many began painting him as a universalist. This post isn't primarily about Bell, so I'll put him aside for a moment - it does give us a good launching point to discuss this film, however.

"Hellbound?" came out in 2012 and I completely missed it. I'm not sure how - though something tells me it had to do with my face being buried in Physics books during Yearling year at West Point. The film asks "Does hell exist? If so, who ends up there, and why? 'Hellbound?' is a provocative, feature-length documentary that will ensure you never look at hell the same way again!" After reading this brief description, I watched the trailer video.



If you're like me, this caught your attention. I couldn't help but dig up the full version - which didn't take long considering the film is now on Netflix. The movie clocks in at 84 minutes long, making it perfect for my after-lunch relaxation ritual. It explores exactly what it states - and I came away knowing a lot more about the various arguments about hell and was overall impressed with the quality. This could have easily been a one-sided argument slanted towards the director's personal convictions, but it wasn't.

Instead, "Hellbound?" starts with the 10 year anniversary of September 11th, complete with Westboro Baptist Church protestors. This powerful beginning led into an explanation about the "usual" Christian perspective (sometimes referred to as "conditionalism") on hell: if you die and don't accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are judged by God and sent to eternal darkness and suffering. It then offers up brief explanations about "annihilationism" which is similar to conditionalism, but asserts that instead of eternal suffering, souls that do not believe in Christ will be annihilated and cease to exist. Sometimes torment is a part of being annihilated, sometimes not. The third, and final, perspective on hell that the film explores is universalism, which states that in the end, God's grace is bigger than sin: all will be forgiven, and all will spend eternity in paradise.

Roughly half of the film is spent on conditionalism, while the other half discusses universalism. In an interesting move, the director interviews theologians, authors, pastors, death-metal guitarists, and atheists in an effort to develop a holistic perspective about the debate, letting the interviewees, in a sense, debate each other without ever coming face to face. The audience is left to decide for themselves and no final word is given on which side presents the best argument. Questions are asked and explored, but never fully answered. After all, at the end of the day, we really don't know.

I enjoyed the film. It got me to think. It got me to explore some of my long-held beliefs about hell, while at the same time, it pricked me with questions that had been nagging at my brain for a long time. Questions like:

• If God is all loving and all powerful, why, then, does he not choose to save all of humanity? Is he unwilling?
• Why is the literal translation of "hell" in the Bible hotly disputed?
• Why are there scriptures that seem to back up each side of the debate?

I asked my mom and dad to watch the movie, and after their viewing my father and I discussed the merits and pitfalls of the film. I had come away feeling that the director was even-handed in his approach. My dad, on the other hand, felt like the first third of the movie was set up as a straw-man to be toppled in the final third. We did, however, agree on one major issue:

The movie did not adequately express the importance of a faith in Jesus. While the nature and very existence of hell was hotly discussed, nearly all of the people interviewed in the movie agreed that Jesus is the only way to heaven. This was almost taken for granted, and the director simply did not make it clear why. Additionally, the documentary was clearly targeted at a demographic: mine. That is, Christians. Part way through my viewing, I stopped and put myself in the shoes of a non-believer watching the film. Why would I even care? Christian lingo and phrases were tossed around with little explanation, and very little effort was made to cater to the most important potential audience: those that need to hear the message of Christ the most. This, I believe, was a huge missed opportunity on the part of the director. 

Personally, I think I lean more universalist than I do towards the the traditional notion of hell. But this isn't, necessarily, because I have been convinced either way. Rather, I'm a firm believer that Love covers a multitude of sins and that believing in Christ's unfailing love will always bring me back to the Cross; fear of hell, and fear in general, is not only a poor motivator to pursuing God, but it puts my heart in a place of self-focused negativeness that in no way aids my spiritual journey. I am a strong believer in ultimate Truth. I'm just not sure we'll ever know some aspects of that Truth until after our bodies are six feet under.

And ultimately, pursuing Christ and being that city on the hill is what I want in my life. These questions about heaven and hell are important, and worth pondering. Questions are good: they lead to self-discovery and can open new cognitive doors. But only Jesus leads to salvation.

Colin

Love Wins.

I've been following the recent surge of tweets and blog posts regarding Rob Bell's new book entitled "Love Wins" with some interest. Bell put out a video trailer for his upcoming book. Here it is:



I was first introduced to Rob Bell in Jr. High through the Nooma videos that my church youth group used at various camps and Sunday morning services. Since then I've read Bell's first book, "Velvet Elvis" as well as his most recent short "Drops Like Stars." I also listen to his sermons regularly via the Mars Hill Bible Church on iTunes. In some christian circles I'm already disqualified as following a false prophet.

For those of you still reading:

Because of this video Rob Bell has been accused of being a "universalist." The tweet that sparked the forest fire on twitter was by John Piper. In it, he simply said "Farewell Rob Bell" with a link to a blog post by Justin Taylor entitled: "Rob Bell: Universalist?" You can read his entire post yourself for more context, but Taylor's key point can be wrapped up in this quote:

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.

If you follow Christian tweets or blogs at all I'm sure you've heard the response to these accusations and labels. Now that the waters have begun to settle, the overall equilibrium response seems to be "Ok, what Rob Bell said is definitely a little out there. But let's just wait until the book comes out before we judge." I agree with this response, for the most part.

I've written about asking questions in the past. It seems that many people are scared of questions. The mere act of asking a question shows that you don't know it all. In the above video, you'll notice that Rob Bell makes no statements. He asks questions. And I believe that the content of the video is not what scares people the most and has invoked such strong responses. I think the scary thing to people is that they just might not have all the answers to his questions.

So yeah, I eagerly await the release of Bell's new book so that I can read it and hear exactly what he has to say. I'm not going to hop on the hatred band wagon because Rob Bell said some things that conflict with what some people consider to be doctrine.

But what happens when the book is released and Bell asks more questions that make me uncomfortable? Is it then alright for me to string up the noose, put the firewood around the stake, and nail the cross together?

What if the real problem is that I am simply unwilling to take a brick out of my wall of theology in fear that everything I believe in will come crashing down?

Here's one of the more tactful responses I've seen to the social media flurry:



I have more thoughts floating around in my head about this topic; those will have to wait for another post. I've done posts in the past regarding similar topics, feel free to check them out. Many of them have interesting comments as well.

• Are Jews going to Hell?
• Asking Questions
• “Brickeology” and Velvet Elvis

What are your thoughts?

Colin

P.S. here are some other thought provoking blog posts regarding "Love Wins." Great reads.

• Love Wins - Do You Have Itching Ears? by Chad Estes
• Heaven, Hell, and Rob Bell by Rachel Held Evans
• Why Aren't Fundamentalists Telepathic Comedians? by John Shore (not directly applicable, but along the same lines, and hilarious.)

Questions

I'm tired of people pretending like they have all of the answers.

Is it so unfathomable to think that there are things happening around us that we have no clue about? Even more than a "scene above the ceiling" - a whole Kingdom around us that many refuse to recognize?

This trip to Israel was so awesome. I'm glad I was able to journal via blogging; it really helped me process while traveling, and I'm glad to hear it proved interesting to others as well. The things I speak of in this post are only a fraction of what I've been thinking about.

Something this year has taught me, and something that really hit home for me on this trip, is the power of questions.

I've really come to a place of peace about not having to always know the answer to something. I can accept that many times things are simply out of my control - that no matter how much I plan and map a decision out, there are things are at work that I have no clue about. I can accept that Papa's will for me is to live loved, and that He will take care of the rest.

This last year has forced many questions through my mind. I've heard it said that when you question something that is in the Bible, oftentimes the answer to that question produces only more questions. I've seen firsthand the affects questions can have on someone who is trying to haggle for an item from a Jewish shopkeeper.

There's something about questions, whether answerable or unanswerable. People are uncomfortable with too many of them, as they can pry a man's heart from his chest if asked correctly.

I've come under fire from a few people, both online and in the real world, when I've written or talked about author's such as Rob Bell and William Young. Why? I'm really not sure. There's something about people that ask questions, and look at things with a different set of glasses on. In some strange way, it scares people. They tack labels like "Emergent Church" and then call for unity. What? Please, for the sake of us all, I would ask those people to look for a plank before removing the speck.

Even God challenges people with Questions.

Job 38

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said:

"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."

God goes on to question Job for four chapters. At the end of the questioning and challenging, Job replies:

Job 42

Then Job replied to the Lord:

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Whoa. That's powerful.

I'm never going to stop asking questions. I understand that the nature of asking "why?" is to come back with the answer "I don't know."

And I'm ok with that.

Because I really don't need to know everything.

Like getting to know a friend, girlfriend, or relative, I accept that there are things about the nature of God and this world He's created that I may never know. But just as with those people, that won't stop me from continuously seeking a relationship and asking the hard questions.

Colin

Israel, thoughts, and Velvet Elvis

Here I sit in transit from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Everyone wishes for something more. People try to find value in things they do, things they buy, even by living a “moral” life. Debates rage about ethics and morality and how each should be lived out.

It’s as if the whole human race knows there’s more to existence then existing.

Sorry if this post has started off too sporadic for you. I’ve been processing a lot in these last few months. I haven’t posted anything because I couldn’t find the words. The most I could do was share some of my thoughts orally with my family, girlfriend, youth group, and peers (I tend to process when I talk). I tried putting my thoughts and emotions into words in the form of a song, but it simply didn’t sound right. I wrote a journal entry on my thoughts a couple weeks ago, but I only reached two pages before I had to conclude.

In a huge way I’ve been rendered speechless about much of what I believe. The thoughts I can share are all still being processed, and none of them have arrived to where I could call them “something I believe.”

Suddenly I find myself able to write on this international flight at 10:30pm Boise time (who knows what time it is where I’m at) while listening to Shawn McDonald and digesting two cokes and airline pasta.

I won’t be able to post this until I land, and possibly not even until I’m within wifi range at a hotel. Nonetheless, I’m here now, writing.

I’ve been reading Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis” for the last several weeks. A couple major thoughts from this book (which I’m hoping to finish in these remaining 7 hours or so I have on the flight.) :

Why are Christians so afraid of having their faith challenged?

What if church isn’t necessary? What if God is Love, and because of that he has no room for judgmental hate in his heart? What if the disciples were teenagers? What if God really doesn’t care about what you do? What if the character of God can be found outside of the Bible?

Are you fearful of any of the answers to those questions? Will it destroy your faith if the actual truth is not at all what you think? Will it destroy your faith to simply ask these, or other questions?

I was really challenged by Velvet Elvis. Bell introduces a concept of “Brickeology” where so many Christians’ beliefs are stacked up into a wall. Each brick (belief) is dependent on the others; if one brick is removed, even if only to be examined, the whole wall will collapse. Not only that, but extending the metaphor out a bit, a brick wall is closed. People are either on one side of a brick wall or the other. So many Christians build themselves into a fortress of beliefs and “truths” and, as a result, shut everyone else out that doesn’t hold those same beliefs.

Bell suggests a possibly more valuable metaphor to examine one’s “belief system.” A trampoline. A trampoline is held together by springs. Each spring can be taken off, stretched, twisted, and carefully examined. Springs can be traded for other springs, and those, in turn, can be examined. Drawing this metaphor out, a trampoline is fun to jump on! People can join in on the experience; in fact, the more the merrier!
Being able to take each of my beliefs and examine them is a true faith builder. I have to have faith in God and trust in Jesus that truth (which, coincidently, he once called himself) fears no investigation.

This is part of growing up, isn’t it? Haha. Probably.

I’ve been listening to some Mark Driscol sermons from the Mars Hill Everything Audio podcast. Driscol makes some excellent points, backs them up with scripture, and even has personal testimonies to back up his messages. The only problem I have with the stuff he says is this: he’s kind of a dick. Not that I don’t like being challenged – I think I just established I’m looking to challenge pretty much everything I believe.
Let’s put it this way: if I were a non-christian and went to Driscol’s Mars Hill for the first time, and I heard Driscol say anything to the extent of “Anybody in here that is a non-christian is going to hell for all of eternity if they don’t give their life to Jesus.” (which he says on a fairly regular basis) it would be an automatic buzzkill and make me really cold to Christianity, even Jesus. Not that Mark Driscol isn’t speaking the truth; he very well may be. But come on dude, at least use some tact.

I’ve been listening to the God Journey podcast. I really appreciate the realness of Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings. They ask the hard questions, and I love processing what they have to say.

I started off this post by talking about people in general, and how they’re looking for something more. Maybe it’s a bit unfair for me to speak on behalf of the whole human race. Perhaps a better way to put it goes something like this.

I know there’s more to existence than existing.

I know there’s more to God than Church.

I know there’s more to Jesus than believing.

I know there’s more to the Holy Spirit than cheap party tricks.

There’s got to be.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m on the way to Israel. I’m going with a group of friends (Sara, Shalom, Hannah, Bart Hinckley, and my mom and dad.) This is my third visit to the Holy Land.
And this time, I’m approaching the whole deal with a new pair of glasses on.

2009 birthed more pain then I would have ever thought possible for my family. January and February of 2010 have proven to be months of intense processing and thinking; but on way more of a heart level then a head level.

What now?
I have no clue.

I do know that for the next 10 days I’ll be in Israel, and I’ll be there 100%. I’m open to whatever Papa’s got going.
Please pray for my team, and for this trip. Please don’t pray for safety. Please pray for Papa’s love to be revealed to us in a deeper way, and that it would fill us up and even overflow. Too often I’ve stayed safe on a trip, and little else took place. I know it’s a weird request, but I ask it nonetheless.

And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to watch Flight of the Concords on the TV screen embedded in the seat in front of me.

Colin