This Father’s Day my father is spending the holiday away
from the family. He has been working hard these many months on the oil rigs in
North Dakota. The past four years in Spokane have been hard on my family to say
the least but my father has done everything in his power to support us. This
past December my parents decided that my father should take a job out of state
for the better pay and opportunity until we were financially stable again. It
was a sacrifice on all our parts but even more so on my him. He is now
living alone in what I consider today’s “Wild West.” North Dakota has
attracted men from all over the country and has provided countless jobs and
security for most of them. My family has been blessed by this opportunity; we
are even more blessed by my father’s example.
I have learned what it means to be a
hard worker. My father has also taught me the meaning of sacrifice and humility
and how in trusting in God’s sovereignty we are ever assured that God will
provide. In scripture Matthew writes about how we need not worry about tomorrow
for tomorrow will worry for itself.
This has been so true in my life today! I am so thankful that the Lord
blessed me with such a wonderful father, even though he is in North Dakota and
we are in Spokane; we send our love to him and honor him this day.
He wrote me a letter the other day that
I’ve decided to share with you all….
Let the gospel
be your True North
Words from a father to a precious daughter..
My dearest Brianna,
I'm writing you this letter in regards to our recent conversation regarding doctrines and how to communicate biblical truth. As you are about to enter your final year of university, I'm certain you've been bombarded with a plethora of questions from friends and professors regarding truth and biblical interpretation; and most recently regarding hell and moral relativism. We live in a world where the lines of right and wrong are so blurred that unfortunately there is very little difference between the church and the world. Just look at the national statistics for divorce or premarital relations and you will find an astonishing similarity within the church. I know you have personally witnessed the devastating effects on the lives of those who have willfully chosen to compromise and ignore their personal relationship with Christ and have allowed feelings to dictate their actions. But this is nothing new, this has been going on for centuries. Hopefully this can be the generation that can turn the tide of compromise. But it begins by closely governing your soul and.....not just knowing doctrine....but applying it.
I think the most affective way to approach a biblical truth is to have a sound hermeneutic. Things to consider when studying a text are: authorship, audience, context, history, culture, language, what did the text mean then, how is it to be applied today, how does other scripture inform the text, how does the text fit into the overreaching theme of redemption and the gospel
Take The Gettysburg Address for example. How do we know that it took place in 1863 and that President Lincoln was the won who delivered the speech. Using a basic hermeneutic can shed light on those questions. The text itself indicates "four score and seven years ago,our forefathers bright forth a new nation..." Was the author of this speech referring to the year 1776 or 1789 when the constitution was written. Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. So 87 years ago was referring to the Declaration of Independence and therefore the speech occurred in 1863. There are many historical letters and newspaper articles that indicate Lincoln was at the battlefield of Gettysburg when the speech was given, so history sheds light on that truth. If one says that Lincoln meant in the speech that all "white men" were created equal, they would be in error to the culture of the civil war which main purposes were the preservation of the union and the abolition of slavery.
So when taking a look at if hell actually exists, we can take a similar approach and look at scripture with a sound hermeneutic. So let's shed some light on the subject of hell.
Francis Chan has an excellent publication titled Erasing Hell. I'm borrowing heavily from his writing. In it he references the following. The Old Testament makes some limited references to hell in Daniel 12 and Ezekiel 32: 17-32. The concept of hell was a progressively developing theme much like the Holy Spirit, heaven and Jesus were throughout scripture. Historically first century Jews held the common belief that hell was a place of : punishment after judgement, images of fire, darkness & lament, place of annihilation and a place of never ending punishment.
And Jesus, being a first century Jew, did not challenge this belief system of hell like he did ideas about forgiveness or the Sabbath. In fact, Jesus affirms through many passages that there is punishment, a place of eternal separation and never-ending torment for those who reject the gospel : Matt. 13, Matt. 22, Matt. 25: 31-46.
What's interesting is the style and language used by Christ to describe hell. It is strong and terrifying. Matt. 10:28 says God has the power to destroy both soul and cast body into hell. Mark 9 refers to hell as unquenchable. I guess one could argue is it truly a "lake of fire" as referred to in apocalyptic literature....for that there is debate. But make no mistake scripture is clear that there is a place reserved for those who'll be judged....and it is terrifying.
I think the concept of no hell, as referred to by Chan, is simply an extension of Universalism which was purported by Origen in the 2nd century. Universalism is the idea that God will save all and that extreme punishment is inconsistent with his character. Of course these views were deemed heretical by various councils. I'm reminded of Thomas Jefferson who would physically excise passages of scripture from his bible that offended him and his concept of God. Often people will try to "fit" God into their own rationalization of what seems right. Although we were created in his image, yet he is so unlike us. There is an "otherliness" about him that is hard to grasp in our limited human nature. But it makes me worship him all the more for his terribleness and wrath and his mercy and kindness...because he is so unlike me.
Remember Bree, the concepts of right and wrong cannot be dictated by our feelings. Our theology cannot be influenced by popular cultural trends. Just because election doesn't seem fair does not invalidate it's truthfulness. Our culture calls us bigoted if we say homosexuality is a sin. And yet it has crept into the church where it is considered acceptable. But scripture is clear regarding sexual conduct just as it's clear about hatred, pride and un-forgiveness. I'm not so concerned how these contemporary beliefs affect secular culture. When Rome ruled the world, cruelty,perversion and licentiousness were pervasive and yet Jesus did not address Rome's egregious laws. He did not campaign for the preservation of a Judeo/Christian society. He never wavered from what was honoring to God. His life was about doing his Father's will and laboring to change the hearts of men. He did however overturn tables at the temple when it perversion affected the "church".
You'll find that many Christians are influenced by heretical teachings because they've become lax in the proper governance of their own souls...Lord knows I've sinfully struggled with governance as well.
To passionately dig into scripture and exegete takes discipline and time. We are a lazy generation where we want it now. If our order at a drive thru takes 3 minutes we're disappointed or frustrated. I submit that those who hold some of these heretical views have most likely read it in just a book or two or have been influenced by a group of peers in brief conversations. The topic of universalism, no hell or moral relativism may seem stimulating and thought provoking, but I find it highly improbable that such individuals have painstakingly researched, prayed, meditated or applied sound hermeneutical principles to arrive at their conclusions.
That's why I want you sweetie to review some excerpts from the statement of faith listed below. These do not reflect the totality of all that I believe but is a cornerstone to how I approach my studies of a particular subject. It can be a great opportunity for you as well, to laboriously and joyfully review and study...and take time to pray and reflect on the gospel. I am truly blessed to have a daughter like you. You have spoken truth into my life on so many different occasions. But continue to workout your own salvation with fear and trembling. I don't want you to accept it just because I am thoroughly convinced of it's truths...allow the principle I've shared to guide you. Ask the Holy Spirit to to give you wisdom and he will do it (James 1:5)
Let me leave you with this. As you converse with others concerning these topics, be sure to convey a spirit of humility just as Jesus did. Don't try and win an argument for argument sake. You can be humble and yet not waiver an inch in what you know is absolute truth. Let the gospel and the message of the cross be your true north when discussing political rhetoric, philosophies, heresies or doctrine and allow the Holy Spirit to do his job. He will guide those whom he has called into truth.
I Love You !!!!!!!!!!!
~Dad
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