As much as we would like to believe that, at the end of life as we know, love will conquer all, it’s a little more complicated than just saying love will win.
The word “love” has been tossed around so much, over time, that it has simply lost its meaning. We interchange the word “love” with its polar opposite cousin, “like”, but try to pawn it off with the intensity of, perhaps, agape.
It’s simply not enough to tell someone that you love them without going to great lengths to show them that you do. And loving someone goes far beyond just tolerating someone with a touchy good feel embrace that tends to cover up the person’s actions that end up being detrimental to their lives and to the lives of others.
Love, in its holistic sense, encompasses the godly, brotherly and erotic expressions, yet, at the same time, boldly confronts others when wrong has occurred.
In other words, in order for “love” to “win”, love must be expressed in its entirety. It must be embracive, yet willing to rebuke when necessary.
And, in the context of spirituality, the washed out version of love that we’ve come to know isn’t enough to simply erase the realities of hell.
In Francis Chan’s newest book, Erasing Hell, he and co-author Preston Sprinkle dive head first into theologically uprooting, from Scripture, this horrible reality. And, yes, there’s no doubt that the book is a direct response to Rob Bell’s recent release of Love Wins. Yet, at the same time, the co-authors intent isn’t to bash Bell’s book.
With that said, be prepared for an amazing journey through Scripture within the folds of their writings.
Now, for the sake of this blog, I wanted to point out what seems to be the backbone of Erasing Hell and get your thoughts.
Francis Chan says, “It forces me back to a sobering reality: This is not just about doctrine; it’s about destinies…you cannot let this be a mere academic exercise. You must let Jesus’ very real teaching on hell sober you up. You must let Jesus’ words reconfigure the way you live, the way you talk, and the way you see the world and the people around you.”
Meaning to say, many of the world’s Christians have arrogantly condemned people to hell because of a lifestyle choice, an unbreakable addiction, religious preference, and so on. And, rather than share God’s truth in love, many Christians have resolved to either, continue with damnation-like attitudes or go silent about the issue of hell altogether.
I agree with Francis Chan, in that the reality of hell should change the way we interact with people everyday. Hell is definitely not a place I want to end up in, nor do I want my family to end up there either. Now, if I truly loved people, holistically, then the reality of hell should compel me to engage the world with God’s truths.
After all, that would be the most loving thing to do.
How about you?
Let’s talk.
derrickengoy.us 
Nice new look! It’s looking good.
I remember watching a documentary on the street gang “MS-13” which extends from the US to El Salvador. Many of the members have died in gang wars and others have fought to claim the freedom from the mistake they joined. But what caught my attention was an anonymous interviewer that said he worshiped Satan and he will fight to the very end. With full acknowledgement that he will go to hell, I thought why would someone want to follow a life of misconduct and corruption.
Anything is possible when we have our armor that God provides us with, lest we practice with what we are given. So yes, I believe erasing hell is possible. If we ask God to bless us and others around us (to include enemies); you never know…we could be that blessing to our enemies. They might be crying out internally to know who God really is.
Now, I am speaking for myself here. If people want to live a lifestyle that don’t condone to Jesus’ ways, that’s their choice. We don’t have to agree to it and we certainly aren’t the ones to condemn them to hell. How else will they know the gospel if we shun them out of our world by turning our backs to them? I certainly don’t want anyone to end up in hell, but there are times when people don’t want us to tell them about Jesus. That’s when we pray and be persistent (but with different methods) to get the message across.
As usual, great thoughts James. I’m wondering, though, do you mean erasing the “hell” on earth that some people experience or the eternal hell that proceeds this life?