Love Wins & Erasing Hell

Hi friends -

I just finished reading Rob Bell's "Love Wins" and Francis Chan's response book, "Erasing Hell." I am blogging my thoughts and responses to both books on my personal blog, here.

Just thought I'd invite everyone over to read my thoughts and perhaps share some of your own.

Has anyone else read either of these two books? Any thoughts about them?

Communion

We discussed taking communion ("The Lord's Supper") in our discussion of food and the soul. I think this is a very interesting conversation, and so Tony Jones' post about taking communion made me think of our cohort and how we do things.

Read his post here if you'd like. 

He highlights six things from Moltmann that should characterize the communion experience. I thought it was interesting that we basically do all six of these things already.

1. Communion must be central to the Christian community, must be integrated into the heart of the worship service (not tacked on at the end), and must be celebrated with bread and wine.
2. The table must be open to those of varying theological views.
3. Baptism and confirmation must not be prerequisites for the fellowship of the table.
4. Everyone who follows Christ is qualified to administer the sacrament, and everyone is called upon to offer and distribute the elements.
5. Not only should the person performing the liturgy face the congregation, but the entire worship space should, if possible, be redesigned to a “‘common room’ in which the participants can see and talk to one another.’”
6. Communion should always be followed by “a common meal, and the proclamation of the gospel by a common discussion of people’s real needs and the specific tasks of Christian mission.

Xenos Summer Institute "Pre-Discussion" - Part 1

As you know, we have the privilege of joining in the Xenos Summer Institute later in July. Noel and I (Jesse) will be joining with Dennis McCallum in a breakout session to discuss the differences between emergent and traditional church views. Dennis has already emailed three topics that will be discussed, and an idea was suggested amongst the cohort that we discuss these topics on the blog before the session.

The goal for Noel and I is not necessarily to share our personal opinion (although I'm sure that will naturally come out), but also to represent the cohort as a whole. Therefore, in the next few weeks, I'll post each of the topics (verbatim from Dennis) and invite everyone to share your thoughts in the comments. Some of these are "repeats" from previous conversations, so feel free to either re-post some of your thoughts, or generate new ideas.

Topic #1: View of truth: What are the areas of agreement and areas of difference between typical emergent thinkers and evangelical thinkers on the nature and role of truth?

The New Perspective

TIME picked up on the continuing discussion in theological circles regarding so-called "New Pauline Perspective" which is basically reinterpreting Paul's letters (especially Romans) in light of his strong commitment to Judaism. In other words, don't read the New Testament like a Christian, read it like a Jew.

What is interesting is that this article pits Rob Bell against Ben Witherington, and the fact that TIME considers a new understanding of what it means to be a Judeo-Christian one of the top "10 Ideas that are Changing the World."

Read about it here