In the middle of a seemingly strong sermon about shunning an attitude of victimhood in suffering, Rob Bells says,

“What kind of God needs someone to die so that he can lave? … God didn’t will Jesus’ death…[He] willed Jesus’ obedience, which has consequences.”

“Jesus chose to do the right thing, and then do the right thing, and then do the right thing; and it led to his death.”

I go back to Bell once in a while hoping that I’ve misunderstood him. I hope that I’m wrong. But every time I do, I come across something like this. Sometimes it’s a throwaway, only loosely related to the main theme, as it is here. Sometimes it is the main theme. But either way it’s serious business.

This implies that the cross was simply the inevitable result of event set into motion by Jesus’ ministry. If that’s true, then it empties the cross of its power, because it is no longer the historical turning point Paul said it was, it was simply a demonstration of Jesus’ willingness to accept the consequences of his actions.

Where does Gethsemane fall into this equation? What was Jesus talking about when he asked for another way, then submitted to God’s will, if his death wasn’t part of God’s will?

This line of reasoning hits some early logical and theological roadblocks, and I don’t think it recovers well.

This is my #3 for last night.

3. Minatures are cool.  Like G.I. Joe or scale models.  But miniature animals don’t seem like good stewardship of the “beasts of the field.” It seems like playing God.  And it’s creepy, like stuffing your pets and displaying them at home.

Since my injury things - particularly typing - have taken a bit longer. That’s why I’ve been slacking. So I’ll try to catch up with 3 Things.

1. JT has some interesting bytes about a move from some prominent leaders to jettison the term “emerging church”. I don’t know that it’s a necessary thing, but I certainly understand being upset when a term you used to describe yourself becomes a superficial label for people you completely differ with on everything important (think “evangelical”, or “graphic designer“). (continue reading…)

Yes, that is my hand. Yes, my cast is pink and blue. Yes, I did design this with three fingers on my mouse hand.  As Ali G. would say, “Respeck.”

Get the story here, and the followup here.

Oh, I forgot! Yes, I can still hold a controller.

Mark Driscoll @ the Resurgence:

Furthermore, in some sense, every Christian is to be a teacher who imparts biblical truth into the lives of others. For example, Colossians 3:16 is directed to an entire church: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

I think too many people pass this work off to others - their ministers, Sunday School teachers, and small group leaders - saying they don’t know enough, or it’s not their role.  But we all share this role, and not knowing enough is no excuse…learn it.

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