"We're rediscovering Christianity as an eastern religion, as a way of life" -- Rob Bell, teaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church.
I know that many people must read this quote and automatically brand its speaker as a heretic. That's because when we think of eastern religion, we think of pluralism, of Buddhism's path to nirvana or thousands of Hindu gods. Perhaps we wouldn't get so upset if we remembered that Judaism is/was also an Eastern religion. What is referenced here, if I may interpret, is the idea of faith as a way of life.
What does it mean to be a Christian? I think the typical evangelical assumption is that being a Christian requires believing certain things. And I think that are some things that all Christians believe. But what is the irreducible essence of Christianity?
To have, experientially, a relationship with Christ.
The essence of Christianity is not intellectual assent to certain beliefs.
This is a really hard thing to work through, but I can't come to any other conclusion. Because you can intellectually believe anything and everything about Jesus, and still go to hell. But if you have a relationship with him, your life is transformed and set on a different path.
This may take us some crazy places ...
Love,
Jared
[rob bell]
[emergent church]
[hinduism]
[buddhism]
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