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| Harrowing of Hell |
Hell has been discussed in popular circles twice in recent weeks. Two very different perspectives came up.
The first discussion of hell coincided with the publication of Rob Bell’s book, “Love Wins.” It seemed like everybody was in on it – “Yeah! No hell! Love wins!”
Then Osama bin Laden was killed. The front page of New York’s Daily News had a picture of bin Laden and said, “Rot in hell!” People on my Facebook newsfeed were cheering his death and rejoicing at his state of eternal punishment.
So what’s the deal here? Why do we want hell to exist only when somebody dies that we hate?
It seems to me that the concept of “hell” has lost its roots in New Testament Christianity and has become an instrument of punishment in our common civil religion. Those we disagree with (gays, anti-gay groups, Democrats, Republicans, etc.) must be going to hell because they disagree with what the other side defines as “virtuous.”
I am going to punt on this issue. For me, who is “getting saved” doesn’t concern me. What concerns me is living a holy, Spirit-filled life. Jesus – literally “God saves” – will take care of all the rest.
Hell be damned – I want to live a heavenly life right now.
the rev. jimmy abbott 