The Gospel According to Mr. Edwards

Out of Ur started a series on hell this month, appropriately enough, as with all the money we're spending on chocolates and being lovey dovey and all I'm sure it's on the brain. They showed video clips of different pastors' takes on eternal judgment. So far I'm intrigued, but not necessarily impressed. There must be better clips out there. If nothing else, Bill and Ted 2 would work. Yet, I'm getting ahead of myself. First, selling the point.

The first clip was of NT Wright, already well-known for arguing current concepts of heaven and hell aren't Biblical. Fair enough, we have rights to our own opinions, but as I tell my students we're better off backing them up. But as many do when they say something is or isn't in the Bible, he just leaves it there. Examples? Not needed. Just read the Bible, as Rev. Lovejoy of Simpsons fame would say, all of it. It's all good.

I wanted to see a good counterpoint, so I waited. And waited. Finally, Piper's sermon clip was up to bat. Knowing he's respected as a theologian, I figured this has to be good. He opened, and...it wasn't. His argument? Jonathan Edwards would be appalled. Or to quote him directly, "JONATHAN EDWARDS WOULD BE APPALLED!" He believed hell was real, after all.

Right. I forgot we all have to give account to Jonathan Edwards someday. And even though I know better I still can't hear his name without thinking "Wasn't that Mr. Ingal's friend on Little House on the Prarie? What did he believe? I don't remember." Wherever I heard the name, I don't think it matters. I know where I didn't hear it. And that's the point, isn't it?

I think it's fresh on my brain because I'm teaching about logical flaws and supporting your points. The saddest thing is, those of us who should be best at it don't. When did we forget how to debate?

Note: I know this includes a hot topic (no pun or boycotting reference intended) but I'm not arguing one way or the other about hell in this. If you're interested in that debate, look up Out of Ur, Christianity Today's blog site. The comments are okay, but better than the videos so far.