Love liberates, restores and builds us up

“Love is what God is, love is why Jesus came, and love is why he continues to come, year after year to person after person.

May you experience this vast, expansive, infinite, indestructible love that has been yours all along. May you discover that this love is as wide as the sky and as small as the cracks in your heart no one else knows about. And may you know, deep in your bones, that love wins.” 

- Rob Bell

Yes, love wins because love is vast, expansive, infinite and indestructible and love resides in us. It may be said that love is embodied in God or Jesus, our highest self, who taught by example the essence of unconditional, universal and inclusive love. Indeed, the revolution is love, correcting everything that stands against love, just as Jesus (Christ in us, the hope of glory) is love in action, challenging and demolishing hierarchical and patriarchal structures, leveling mountains and raising valleys metaphorically, liberating people from oppression and injustice, as well as restoring them and building them up. 

Also, truth is both immanent and transcendent, residing in us as well as outside of us. Truth, like love, is self-existing and has no beginning and no end, just as the Universe is self-existing. We can see truth or love imprinted in the beauty of Nature, for example. 

Thoughts on book review and background of Rob Bell's "What we talk about when we talk about God"

Thoughts on Brandon Robertson's book review of "What we talk about when we talk about God" by Rob Bell

I have read through the book review by Brandon Robertson. I think it is a fairly balanced review of the book, as the reviewer recognises that the book is "paradigm shifting", and he has rightly noted that "It will be wholly rejected by the conservative community (unfortunately). But none the less- it is still a thoroughly Christian work that can and will help countless people renew their faith in God."

 I also like the book reviewer's conclusion in his review here:

"It’s about time we rethought the notion of God. Not because we need something intrinsically new to say and believe- good luck finding that- but because we are so often blinded by our own lense with which we view the world. Rob Bell paints an image of God in this book that I am certain thousands upon thousands will find refreshing, revitalizing, and worshipful. I know I do. Rob makes it okay to believe in modern scientific discovery and hold a  robust faith in God. He makes it okay to doubt as a healthy and vital part of faith. He makes it okay to embrace paradox and unknowing. He does just what the early Christians themselves did- proclaims the mystery of our faith.
...
This book will offend those who are looking to be offended, inspire those who seek to be inspired, and will spark a new conversation about what we really talk about when we talk about God."

Yes, it reminds me of the four stages of spiritual growth in which a person's worldview changes and evolves as he or she matures in spiritual growth and learns to ask questions and look within oneself for inner guidance instead of depending on religious institutions and dogma, or on scientific theories alone.

The reviewer also rightly noted that his new book will offend who are looking to be offended, and inspire those who seek to be inspired. Indeed, we have witnessed how some people who have not even read his book for themselves have chosen to be offended and posted judgmental comments on Rob Bell's Facebook page. They are only projecting their own fears and insecurities through quoting bible verses out of context; in fact, the bible is a mirror - how people interpret the bible will reflect on the kind of person they are. Those who are mean and small-minded will see their god as mean and small-minded, and those who are loving and gracious will see their god as loving and gracious.

I think some of the detractors have also quoted 2 Timothy 4:3 out of context - from my understanding, Paul was exhorting Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season - and the word is concerning the mystery of Christ in us the hope of glory - that is to me sound doctrine. Contrary to what the followers in evangelical or fundamentalist christianity say, having "itching ears" is actually referring to desiring to listen to teachings and fables about the outdated, mean, violent and vengeful god that was thought to be separate from man, which is based on the illusion of separation and duality of knowledge of good and evil, and the rituals and sacrifices borrowed from pagan traditions. Such teachings and fables appeal to itching ears probably because they stroke the ego of those who like to feel they are exclusively handpicked for a certain heaven.

How Rob Bell deals with his critics

I was reading about a recent interview with Rob Bell during his talk at Mars Hill Bible Church last Sunday - apparently he is aware critics are already up and about busy bashing his book even before they have read it, and he questioned whether they are really serious Christians since they have spent a lot of time and energy criticising other people of faith when they could have made use of their time more productively such as addressing social issues.

The author of the bestselling and oft-demonized “Love Wins” also talked a bit with MLive and a Publishers Weekly reporter about criticism he gets from some fellow Christians.

“It’s just important to be about your work and, hopefully, it brings you great joy. And if somebody doesn’t respond well to it, OK, they have the freedom to spout off about that,” Bell said.

He went on to question how “people who would consider themselves serious Christians would have that kind of time and energy” to bash his teaching.

“What is there, 800 million people who don’t have access to clean drinking water? Or what is it, a million people committed suicide last year?" Bell said. "Like, if you’re a serious person of faith and you wake up in the morning and the best possible use of your energies is to shred other people of faith, I don’t know, that’s sort of losing the plot if you ask me.

"So I try to be about my work.”

(From "Watch Rob Bell 'Talk About God,' read how he responds to critics")

Why Rob Bell left Mars Hill Bible Church and wrote his new book

I have checked out this article in which Rob Bell has clarified the reason he left Mars Hill Bible Church - that he wanted to talk about the things that matter most and to create the space for that. I suppose he sensed that Southern California has many people who want to know about God they can believe in but do not want to connect with organised religions, hence he and his family decided to locate there "to pursue other ministry work and begin development of a talk show with Carlton Cuse, a former writer and producer of the popular show "Lost", as mentioned in this related article. 

According to the article:

"This is a book for people who can’t buy the traditional concept of a judgmental, thumbs-up-or-down God, or the new atheism that says the world you see is all there is. It’s for people who want to believe in a God they can believe in."

(From "Rob Bell's new book is for people who want 'a God they can believe in'")

 So, it looks like his book is targeted for mainly postmodern people and progressive thinkers who are not at stage 2 or are no longer at stage 2 of fundamentalism and are also ready to move on beyond stage 3 of atheism to embrace stage 4 of mysticism and mystery of the universe, if I may interpret this according to M Scott Peck's theory of the four stages of spiritual growth. 

A short sermon by Rob Bell (25 Feb 2013)

"how about a short sermon?

“this is the day that God has made.” [psalm 118]

really-this day? the one with wars and poverty and divorce and addiction and betrayal? this one?

yes, this one.

this one because there’s a difference between analysis and awareness.

analysis pulls things apart, looks for cracks in logic, points out the inconsistencies.

analysis needs things to make sense.

there’s nothing wrong with analysis, of course, it’s often vital to our survival and thriving. but if we stay there, in that mode and that mode only, we can easily find ourselves stepping back with arms folded, pointing out all that’s wrong with this day and all the ways it falls short and all of the evidence for why this particular day doesn’t appear to be the kind of day that God would make-all while this day passes us by.

(this is very easy to do, by the way. it’s why cynicism is so popular. it’s easy.)

but in this psalm-the one that says that this is the day that God has made- this psalm isn’t first and foremost about analysis, it’s about awareness.

and the difference is massive.

awareness doesn’t ignore or gloss over the very real questions and pains of this day, it transcends all of that analysis with the very straight forward acknowledgement that whatever this day is, it’s a gift to be embraced and engaged and maybe even enjoyed.

this day maybe be rough and bloody and heartbreaking but it is here and it is now and it is bursting with untold potential and possibility and our response to it is of utmost, urgent importance.

we may, it’s important to note, not get another one. my friend’s brother was recently killed in a car accident, another friend’s father just died, and the mother of another goes in for another round of chemo this week. you know exactly what i’m talking about-whatever this is, we’re all acutely aware that is very, very fragile.

so yes, this is the day."

- Rob Bell 

I find Rob Bell's short sermon powerful, insightful and deep. It is true that our analysis of things that go wrong and do not live up to our ideals, or things that remind us of pains, suffering, injustice, greed and struggles in the world, can overwhelm us and cause us to be jaded or cynical about humanity, about God, about life, and therefore it is hard to rejoice and be glad in the day that God has made, let alone be glad at all. I have been there before, such as when I read the newspaper yesterday about how establishments wanted to paint a one-sided view of GM (genetically modified) salmon and other GM foods to sway public opinion to accept GM food, while mainly glossing over the fact that such food can harm human health and the environment. And that is just one example of greed and injustice among many others in the world. 

But as Rob Bell pointed out, our awareness frees us from being overwhelmed by our analysis of all the pains and problems as it reminds us that in spite of and in the midst of all these negative things, we can still appreciate - embrace, engage and even enjoy - the gift of the day because not only the here and the now is bursting with potential and possibilities, the day is also fragile, so we can be glad at least for the miracle of being alive. This is a great reminder for me to focus on being in the present moment and live life with awareness and mindfulness, so as to find peace and stability even as I navigate a world that is filled with pains and sufferings but also with hope and beauty.

The deep things of God

"The kind of faith Jesus invites us into doesn't skirt the big questions about topics like God and Jesus and salvation and judgment and heaven and hell, but takes us deep into the heart of them." --LOVE WINS Rob Bell

I suppose we are all designed to have an inquiring heart - Jesus himself was found asking questions in the temple when he was 12 years old. It looks like Jesus understands our innate hunger and thirst for the deep things in life, and in this respect, the kind of faith Jesus invites us would involve deep questions about God, Jesus, salvation, judgement, heaven and hell. I remember Jesus challenged his disciples to answer his question "who do you say that I am?" I believe he would want every one in every generation to think about this question as well because it is a key to finding answers to those big questions. It is also a question that each person has to answer for oneself and not go by what others say about him.

I am reflecting that we all have the spirit who is the candle of the Lord, searching the deep things of God, like the woman sweeping the whole house for that lost coin. I understand Jesus' question in terms of knowing his true identity, which in turn is about knowing ourselves. As Aristotle put it, knowing ourselves is the beginning of all wisdom. Hence, when we know who Jesus is, we know our true self and origin.

When we see our true identity in the image and likeness of Christ, we see God, for he who has seen him has seen the Father. Thus we see ourselves as one with the Father, as Jesus is one with him. Thus knowing ourselves, as I understand it, is the beginning of wisdom to find our own answers to the other big questions on salvation, judgement, heaven and hell.

At this point of my journey, I see salvation in terms of awakening to our innocence and know who I really am. Judgement to me is a matter of evaluating my value and worth in the light of my true identity - this is the boldness we have in the day of judgment, for as he is, so are we in this world.

Heaven is the state of being when we are like little children, not knowing good or evil, who simply live in the warm embrace of the presence of love, and living in the present. Jesus said to the religious Jews that unless they become like little children, they will by no means enter (or experience) the kingdom of heaven. He also said the kingdom of heaven does not come by observation but is within us.

Hell, as I have learnt, is simply a state of ignorance, as Jesus said to Peter that upon the rock of our true identity he will build the church (who are called out of darkness) and the gates of hell (ignorance) shall not prevail against the church. We shall awake from the illusion of separation and overcome fear, guilt and condemnation.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of man to search out a matter, as proverbs says. The kind of faith Jesus invites us would involve searching out the deep things of God and in the process, we discover more about ourselves, which will determine the quality of our life on earth, such as how much of heaven we will experience on earth, as in how we all can live a life of love, grace and acceptance.

Beginning in the Beginning ~ Rob Bell

I agree with the essence of Rob Bell's message about how it is important to tell and understand a story especially in terms of how it begins and how it ends. While I am aware that the bible is only a collection of books written and put together by ordinary people such as you and me, and some books such as the gospel of Thomas could have been added, I agree with Rob Bell's perspective that if we were to use the bible (however imperfect and questionable it is) as a platform to tell the gospel story, it makes sense to start with Genesis 1 and 2 (the garden where everything is created good and perfect), and end with Revelation 21 and 22 (the new city with gardens and rivers where everything is recreated good and perfect).

I think that is an important point because like what Rob Bell has observed, many a times in evangelical christian circles, preachers tend to tell the gospel story by beginning with Genesis 3, instead of Genesis 1, and the result of such preaching is that their message focuses on the "removal of sin" and "disembodied evacuation of earth", hence out came the doctrines of "original sin" and "rapture in the last days". As we know, this kind of message created a whole lot of problems because people develop self-loathing tendencies when they are told they are "sinners" and they need to evacuate from this earth one day by receiving a so-called perfect body, and going to a so-called perfect place.

As Rob Bell pointed out, there is nothing wrong with the original creation, because god/creator/source created everything good, including human beings whom he declared to be very good. Our original state, therefore, is shalom (peace, health and wholeness). The good news therefore is a "restoration of shalom" - to return to the experience of our original state of being, as co-creators and participators of love, peace and wholeness (holiness = wholeness). This gospel empowers us to believe in the truth of who we really are, instead of the traditional evangelical teaching that puts a heavy burden on people to try to perform in order to become acceptable.

I like this quote by Walt Whitman who said "Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul."  Yes, we can dismiss those condemning messages we used to hear in the past in evangelical christian circles that insult our soul, and instead hold on to those messages that affirm our original innocence and perfection, and build us up.

Recently, I read Jan Coetsee's post in facebook and I agree with his message.

Jesus IS NOT the justification of the unjust .. Jesus is the proof that mankind has always been just (righteous) .. ♥
Ephesians 1:4 Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes .. ♥

Yes, our true identity has always been righteousness, innocence, and blamelessness, which has been unveiled in Christ.

Finally, I agree with Rob Bell at the end of the above video that resurrection is not about the hope of leaving the earth to somewhere better, but about the hope of staying and overcoming challenges and tribulations in the here and now. The gospel empowers us by affirming the goodness and innocence and perfection of god's creation, including us human beings (or spiritual beings on a human journey).

Here's sharing this nugget I came across in facebook.

"The universe.. all that exists.. seen or unseen
Was.. is.. and will be. It has no beginning.
In its essence.. it is both energy and consciousness.
Here lies the secret of life.. without boundless knowing.
...In Silence.. Divinity reveals itself from our depths.
The sacred.. lies within every human being...
appearing through simplicity.
~ Ilie Cioara "Life is Eternal Newness"

Yes, the sacred lies within every human being. The resurrection, according to Carlton Pearson (in his book "God is not a christian, nor a jew, nor a muslim, nor a hindu - God is in us, with us, around us, as us"), is forgetting who we are not and remembering who we are - divinity and humanity as one. We are both energy and consciousness in essence, and unconditional love is our nature.