Every now and then a book will come a long that strikes a nerve. It stokes the fires of debate and it provokes many to ask large questions and seek important answers. Rob Bell's latest book Love Wins (the 21st in my year long challenge) is most certainly the latest in this long line of nerve hitting, hot potatoes. Here's the thing though... if you're reading this post because you're interested in my stance on the nature of heaven, hell, God's love, holiness and Jesus Christ, then I'm going to disappoint you. I will not be donning a jersey and picking a side today...
Nope... today I want to talk about something else... I want to talk about love, anger, argument and debate... that and the perils of the internet.
If you're a Christian and partake in the blogosphere, or the world of Twitter, it's likely you've come across the hurricane of opinion this book has stirred up. At first I was taken aback by the strength of feeling, the certainty of opinion, the metaphorical lines being drawn in the sand. I'm all for debate, but there have been some who've brought a level of... well... something that most certainly does not resemble familial love to the table. Now, in some ways I can get it. On both extremes of the spectrum being discussed there are people who deeply love God and feel that the subjects addressed are vitally important. It makes sense that the book could anger or upset people... my problem with it is that in those moments, when all we can see is red... let's all step away from the internet.
There's something very easy about venting online. I think it's easy to be unkind, blunt even when you're not looking someone in the eye or personalising your opinion to real life situations. As I read through page after page there were some gems of restraint and thoughtful contemplation, but much that made me deeply sad.
“A new command I give you: Love one another..." John 13:34
The title of the book seemed ironic. Whatever it's alluding to, love was not the hall mark of how we've spoken to each other as a community...
So... if you want to know what I think of this book I'm afraid you won't find it online. I have read it. I have discussed it. I've already planned further reading about aspects I want to explore further. Make me a cup of tea and I'll share my reactions as I look into your eyes. Offer me a biscuit and I'll talk you though my incomplete, but current thoughts on our future hope. But not here, not now... It's hard to talk humbly to a computer screen. It's difficult to remember the art of speaking and listening when your typing. Issues of life and death, are too important, too close to many hearts, to be handled by my clumsy blogging. So face to face it is. Shall I pop the kettle on?