emergent: the divisive debate

christians are the worst at using the bible to support their agenda. apparently, there are entire blogs devoted to bashing people like rob bell or brian mclaren. what's more, they 'support' their slanderous attacks with scripture. simply put, it's really bad religion. good religion reconciles, mediates, it clothes itself in humility. you can make the bible say anything you want if you twist context. this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone (especially christians). history reveals that christians have used scripture to murder millions, support slavery, and deny women basic rights. this is how it works; let's take some scripture:

"for there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers...they must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain." - titus 1:10-11

now, let's make it fit the agenda we want. rob bell is a heretic because paul says so. let's make sure everyone knows.

this sounds silly, but it happens, and it's so divisive. can we be honest about this? this sort of debate stems from fear. fear of your theology or belief system being threatened. immediate defense of your belief system ensues, and the best way you can think to defend your beliefs?...trash someone else's. i don't mean to blow this out of proportion or simplify a complex issue, but this is, by and large, how wars start- fear.

allow me to make an observation from scripture: rules are way too simplistic. they require absolutely no thought. that's why the bible says something like "thou shalt have no other gods before me." it requires thought and interpretation. it'd be a lot easier if God had just told us not to buy a luxury SUV or a million dollar mansion (or in my case, don't read blogs more than 15 minutes a day), but that would require no thought. through wrestling with interpretation, we grow spiritually. (i ganked most of that from my pastor, rick). "rob bell is a heretic" is way too simplistic. you never see anything that narrow-minded in scripture. in fact, when people gang up on others, God says this:

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed...you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

i'll not comment on rob bell or brian mclaren's theology, but i will say this- i'm infinitely more attracted to the teaching of someone who acts like jesus than someone who is unable to converse and treat others with respect and love, regardless of their beliefs.