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By: Justin Ahlgrim
CHAPTER 2 - HEAVEN
*Chapter 2 is basically is NT Wright's Surprised By Hope rehashed in RobBellian Language. Bell shows that when you talk about "Heaven" there are 3 distinct realities of Heaven that exist according to the Bible: (1) when you die, if you are a Christian, you will be in a completely "other" realm immediately with God (2) God will fully establish His kingdom on earth, a new heaven & earth as it were, and all will be made right again and we will live with incorruptible forever bodies with God here when that time comes and (3) the kingdom of heaven is here right now where God's reign exists over Christians who live right now as God would have us live when He fully establishes the kingdom. Heaven is a now there, a now here, and a later here. If any of that surprises you, you should read Surprised By Hope or chapter 2 of Love Wins and you'll know what I mean.
*Bell takes the rich young ruler story and looks at what "eternal life" could mean for the man besides just salvation when he dies. Sounds right on
* Chapter 2 is also where Rob Bell makes a word study of "aeon" commonly translated "eternal/forever" and puts a new spin on it. Bell says "aeon" can also mean age/period of time or intensity of experience. Using these new definitions, Bell shows how biblical texts that in common english translations portray a Hell that lasts "forever" may just be for a period of time (till "love wins"). I doubt this will work in every context where Hell and punishment are talked about. And as in most greek and hebrew translation, context plays a key factor in english translation. A big chunk of Bell's argument rests on this re-translation of "aeon." To make a good argument against Bell, one would have to be able to take him on his greek turf. Duly noted.
*interesting quote: Bell says, "our eschatology shapes our ethics." i couldn't agree more. it makes me wonder that if Bell, who promotes an eschatology that doesn't necessitate spiritual accountability to the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life, then how does that affect his ethic in his desire to see people get saved (1 Cor 9:22) in this life? I would compare Bell's ethic to say, Paul's ethic in Romans 9:3 - "For my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed-- cut off from Christ!-- if that would save them." Seems like a strange statement if everyone's saved in the end ... doesn't it?
*Bell takes an interesting stance on Heaven that I've never thought of before. When God fully establishes His kingdom the Bible speaks of a new city of things being there, chamber pots and things. So perhaps it means ... we will be involved. When I tend to think about Heaven or Heaven being fully established on Earth I admit, I sometimes think of the stereotype of clouds and harps. As Bell jokes, he heard a pastor tell a congregation once that heaven was like a never-ending church service, so its no wonder people think heaven's going to be boring! But what if we've got it wrong? When the Kingdom is fully established its here. With concrete real things. What if its simply a new world in which there is no sin? what if buildings still need to be made, communities still exist, and art and music and sports and recreation and creative thought are still real? What if we get to play a part in the new kingdom? As Bell has us think about, "What do you love to do now that will continue in to the life to come?” I love the conjecture here.
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