I've been listening to Rob Bell lately and one of his messages has really challenged me. Actually, most of his teaching challenges, inspires, and enlightens me on various levels. If you've never heard of the guy, check out his website and you can download some mp3 teachings or just check out the Mars Hill community.
Anyway, the challenge has to do with the Kingdom of Heaven (not the movie) crashing into earth (our present kingdom) and whether or not that would be a good thing...as to its impact on the current state of affairs. And the Jewish concept of heaven was less geographical than it was an ideological reality. That's why it makes so much sense that the Kingdom could be right now and not just an eschatological concept or event.
The reason I find this so challenging is because I think most of us (evangelical church-immersed christians) overestimate how pleased God is with current level at which we're living out the Kingdom. We're quick to identify with Jesus and echo words of judgment for pharisees, religious biggots, and the like...but just how painful would it be if the Kingdom came crashing into my life right now. Would Jesus encounter me as a good-intentioned disciple who just needs to make some minor adjustments? Or would he start throwing things, cracking the whip and condemning my pathetic misguided attempts at Kingdom life? I just think we might often give ourselves too much credit. Why else would Christianity and the Church look so different from New Testament stuff?
3 comments:
dude... a lot of good thought, questioning, brain activity here. Do you think it might be that you have gone to a new level of awareness in the way you are feuling your body/brain... thus bringing clarity of thought and a new sense of percieved reality around you. could it be that you see more clearly your mission to live "fully human" because you are eating more of the things that God inteded you to and geting outside everyday? this is resistance... protest... alternative... The powers that be would love to keep you in a dulled illusion of productivity and acomplishment... all the while neglecting what truly helps us break through to clear thinking and a full life!
I've tried repeatedly to find these elusive sound files of Rob Bell, can you send me an actual link to them? Are they podcasts? What am I looking for? What section? What is that little pocket for on men's underwear?
yeah...perhaps each of those passages that seem to speak of a geographical heaven might be understood figuratively? I like the idea that creation will be redeemed and not just scrapped for a new location.
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