image source: timmy from Shaun the Sheep


Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, each one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Been researching Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, because I so enjoy his preaching… I suppose I live in a bit of a vacuum, because I had not heard of him before I came across the Mars Hill podcasts not too long ago, and that was by accident. He’s such a good preacher, and reaches an audience that might not otherwise have access to the wonderful thing the Kingdom is (we younger people not being terribly inclined to attend mainstream church).

So I wiki’d him (which was useful); but from there I found links that eventually led me to Dr Ben Witherington’s blog post about Rob Bell and the question of homosexuality. Dr BW makes some thoughtful, and I think insightful, statements, and he also engages in a debate that grows a little heated, about homosexuality and the position of the church. Someone contends that the position of the church towards homosexuality is growing ever softer (which in a way is true, in some sections). Dr Witherington rightly points out that the Bible is the absolute, unchanging word of God, and its truths do not alter because society is changing. Where we find ourselves uncomfortable with that, we need to examine ourselves, and ask what it is in US that makes us uncomfortable.

I read the debate with some interest, but what I found to stand out starkly is the growing trend in sections of the church towards wanting consensus. It’s as if after generations of having the world follow the leading of the church, the church has suddenly become addicted to currying favour, and now seeks the approval of society. Why do we (the church) want the world to agree with us? Why would we rather twist the truth, make it more palatable to the world, than stand firm on the truth, as unpleasant as it may be? Because the truth is, as soon as we change (to suit world trends) we are no longer salt and light; we are simply an extension of the world. It’s sad... And yet, you know, it’s something that is in the Bible, a prediction made thousands of years ago.

The Bible speaks of the last days being “perilous”, when there will be men who have various unsavory qualities,

2Ti 3:5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these.

The truth is that things are only going to get worse. The church will sell itself to the world for nothing, just to feel approved of (the one-world religion idea is very plausible now, wouldn’t you say??). Even things that are black and white in the Bible will be re-interpreted. That’s how Satan cons those of the faith: by taking the truth and tweaking it just a bit, deluding many.

I used to attend a church that was so wrapped up in its doctrine that it kicked out a member (a personal friend) for not falling in line with the rules. I don’t believe that this is the right way; if we shoot our wounded (which Christians seem to love to do), how can we ever help the ones who really need it? We are all morally flawed, none of us have it all together. Jesus hung out with thieves and prostitutes after all, and not with the leaders of the church, the so-holy ones. If the church cannot do that, then the Bride must be very far, indeed, from what He intended it to be. There is room, as Dr BW says, for our flaws, and the church should welcome with open arms those who seek God, no matter what they look like; however, people are not saved by consensus-building, but by being shown Truth, and being transformed by His power. There is not a single argument that can win over someone whose soul is moving towards danger, if they have chosen that route; some door in the soul has been allowed to close, and the conscience is seared. This is true of any kind of sin: lying, stealing, adultery, murder. Homosexuals (all LGBTs) are not any more sinful than I am, or the next person; but let’s not bend over backwards to draw LGBTs in, treating their sin like it’s somehow different to general sin, padding it with nice words and softness just to make the church’s stand more palatable. The church must stand by absolute Truth, no matter what. Otherwise, we are all like sheep following the one going astray, and all falling into the ravine, bleating as we go.

Ps. Funny how we fear the word “sin”, how we run from it, when all it means is that we have “missed the mark”, and so caused offence. There isn’t too much blame in that, when you think about it; only responsibility.

Pps. Btw, we are ALL learning. No one is alive today (except God, amen) who is the final authority on what God meant. Therefore, we can all make mistakes when we interpret the Bible, especially when we do not accept the Word as is, or take it out of context. That must not make us less of seekers… We must be open to correction. And we ALL have a right to approach the altar of God; that is my stance on the issue.

Rob Bell is certainly controversial- but so was Jesus. This is not to equate Rob with our Lord, at all; simply to point out that in 2000 years, Christianity has not managed to resolve all questions to the satisfaction of the world around it, and it never will. When you think you know it all, you’ve probably actually lost it; when you feel you are off-balance, that’s really when God can get through to you. I wish that there was not so much splintering in the church; but there is hope, I guess, because we know that when JC comes back, He will find a bride waiting…