Here’s a quote from Rob Bell’s book. Love Wins is resonating deeply with me. The quote above seems to be saying that the way to eternal life is to seek God in the now. Be in the present moment with God. An analogy I can make is to Eckhart Tolle and his book called:
The Power of Now
More data piling up pointing to the fact that Bell is indeed a new breed. One thing I can I say without reservation after reading about half the book, is that Rob Bell is reaching out beyond the strict religious code of old. In the end I BELIEVE this can only be a good thing. I understand there are those in the religious community who disagree with Rob Bell and I also understand that there are those who disagree with me.
But ya know what? My blog says it best:
Faith and spirituality have always been a significant part of my life. Take either one of these away, and I will simply cease to be who I am. Take me or leave me. I no longer worry what others think.
My belief system certainly runs counter to many people I know. I’ll say it again:
Take me or leave me. I no longer worry what others think.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion, their own interpretation of spirituality, their own worldview. The ONLY thing that matters is that we have a faith in our OWN God, our own spiritual divinity. God loves us all unconditionally. Of that I’m convinced. We need that connection with HIM though if we are to achieve eternity.
I think Rob Bell understands this and with Love Wins, he is attempting to move people forward, just as I am with my blog. I’m sure you’ll be reading more quotes here from this book. I highly recommend reading it.
What Bell appears to be saying in the quote I began this entry with is that:
Yes, eternal life is a reward for living a spiritual life. But that spiritual life SHOULD begin while we are living a human life.
Remember the quote:
We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
I sincerely believe this to be the case. How do we experience the divine when we are wrapped up in humanity? That is a question that has plagued humans since day one. Many answers have been postulated and there is NO one correct resolution to the query. Just as there is not one religion, there can’t be one answer. While we all worship the same divinity, the same God, we all seek our path to HIM in different ways. My interpretation of God is different than my brother, John’s. Does that make mine right and his wrong? Or mine wrong and his right? Just as your interpretation of YOUR God is different from mine.
I believe there is no right or wrong. The ONLY thing that matters is that we all have a belief in something greater then ourselves. God loves us unconditionally. He will not turn his back on you if you have a relationship with him in the now, in the present. If you have a personal connection with God at this VERY moment at this RIGHT NOW as Rob Bell writes, then you have eternal life.
I like that interpretation myself.
There is no need to fear!
Fear has no place in God’s presence!
Love does conquer all!
Carry these thoughts with you and surely goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life.
Be Happy! Be Well! Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
—
Chris
As an addendum to this entry, I finished Love Wins yesterday afternoon. As I write these entries in advance I have no idea where I’ll be in the reading of my books. Gotta say this is a MUST read. Rob Bell is preaching a NEW gospel, Well; maybe not so new. This in my opinion is what Christianity SHOULD be preaching a gospel of inclusion, of love, of grace.
Bell brings up the fact again and again that God loves everyone. God grants grace to everyone. If that’s the case then how can there be a wrathful God, a God of vengeance, a God to fear.
The answer is there’s NOT.
God DOES love everyone
God DOES grant grace to EVERYONE.
That’s the overriding message of this entire book and it’s why the book is such an important piece of literature that EVERYONE should read.
—
Chris
