I believe I got to the place that I was faithful in what I shared today for our meeting at NFC.
Sharing it here is difficult, because when I think of you who comment the most, I realize that I would begin and move through a discussion of hell from a much different starting place than the message I gave this morning. I made the choice, given our context, to begin with the assumption that we are in agreement that we choose to let the bible be authoritative for us. That means we must wrestle with what the bible teaches about hell as if it is binding upon us.
That is not an assumption I would make in a conversation with someone who did not share that assumption. And it means that a lot of important questions are left unaddressed in what I shared.
Let me be more direct: I would not begin a discussion about hell with the bible, if someone didn’t share the bible as something they were trying to live by. The bible is not conclusive proof to someone who hasn’t accepted it as God’s word. Frankly, when it comes to matters of faith and hell and heaven, nothing is conclusive proof. Now that may get me in trouble with my more conservative friends, but I’m too tired to really say this perfectly.
Anyway, enough disclaimers. I offer what I shared this morning for what it is: my attempt to be faithful to obey the leadings of the Spirit for this particular group who are my spiritual community. You all are a broader community, and I would guess that we may have ample opportunity to broaden the discussion as you leave your comments and write your own blog posts.
Greg,
Early Friends also did not believe that you had to die before the separation from God began. They preached a “Day of Visitation” which was a period during which God would work with you and try to lead you to salvation. For some people, like the thief on the cross to whom Jesus said “Today you will be with me in paradise.” that day of visitation extends to the end of their life. But for others it may end sooner. If you trample the Seed of Christ down often enough, it will stop growing. Now no one knows how long their, or anyone else’s day of visitation will last so we cannot judge others. But it was also used as an invitation to turn your life around and not wait because later may be too late.
It only makes sense that if you can start to live in God’s Kingdom here on earth that you would also be able to live in the devil’s kingdom here as well.
Thanks for the message and for the exercise.
Will
Thank you very much, Will, for a very helpful comment. After reading your comment, I remember reading some of the things you shared. I appreciate you adding to this discussion very helpfully!