We are privileged here at pomomusings to have Brian McLaren be a guest blogger today. Brian wrote the following post, and he will be checking in once a day to read comments and reply to them. Please engage with him, ask him any questions you want, and enjoy this stop on Brian’s "Conversations About Hell" Blog Tour. Thanks friends! Adam @ pomomusings.com
Hi, everyone – it’s an honor to be your guest and have a bit of conversation about my newest book, "The Last Word and the Word After That."
One of the sub-themes of the book is that our understanding or misunderstanding of hell, judgment, the purpose of God, and the
character of God has huge ramifications in how we live – including how we treat other humans, other living creatures, and the planet itself.
For example, I think we need to ask what are the consequences of belief that God, before the foundation of the earth, determined that some people are keepers and others are throw-aways. No responsible person, I think, would say it that crassly, but there is a degeneration of all ideas (including my own) from the time they leave the scholars or writers to the time they take on a life of their own on the street (or on the radio). Similarly, we need to think of the consequences of belief in a God of universal and infinite tolerance and without judgment or wrath over injustice (including injustice committed by the people who have the "right" view of hell, whatever that may be).
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on these matters and your reactions to the book, if you’ve read it.
Brian McLaren
www.anewkindofchristian.com