FYI but the book drops next week, not the end of the month.

I find it refreshing to hear and study questions that I have been thinking about for years.The conversation has started! Peace,Dig

I am from the old school I guess some of you may say, and I am not a liberal thinking Christian as some may be called. I do think talking about these things are not something to run from. As I have read some of the comments, it is obvious that people are coming to grips with what they believe. What I don't understand sometimes is why we as Christians become very hostile towards each other when there is a different point of interpatation of God and His Word. I would say the early church was filled with questions and debate, thats how they grew. Now with that said, I do think we need to be very careful that when we are developing our thoughts on God or His word that we don't change Him for something other than who He says He is and what His word really says. Rob Bell believes somethings I just don't see in the Bible, but here is the most important thing, He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior and I believe he loves his Lord. As a Pastor, debate is around me all the time, sometimes I take it up and times I don't. I don't need to defend God to anyone or change God for anyone, but I do need to know that I accepted Jesus and He brings with Him to some an offensive message of Salvation because it requires me to change from who I was to who He sees me to be. Just because I don't believe some of the thoughts Rob Bells has, it doesn't mean I DON'T OR CAN'T learn something from him. God allows Rob Bell the audiance he has and by the sounds of it He is also allowing it to grow. I may worry about that sometimes, but maybe I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT I AM TEACHING PEOPLE GOD HAS ALLOWED ME TO PASTOR and let God worry about what other pastors are saying about Him. I am learning more and more these days that when I HEAR statements that differ from what I believe, I pause and ask God, 'hey you want me to correct them Lord?' But more times then not I get a reply back with God saying, "no thanks I got it, I will handle it the same way I handle it when you get off track about who I am and what you think My word says. If you disagree with someone and you think they are going to destroy the Christain Church because of it or mislead many down the path to Hell, I really encourage anyone to ask God the question, what are you going to do about it and I think you may be surprised at what His answer will be.

Author: >> I was proud recently when several retired United Methodist bishops published a letter calling United Methodists to get rid of language in its book of discipline that describes homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian life."

Of course, to "call" for "getting rid" of the language describing homosexuality as "incompatible with the Christian life," you simultaneously have to "get rid" of numerous passages and whole narratives in the Bible that unambiguously and universally condemn homosexuality as a grievous sin that is an "abomination" and "will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven." Those clergy who seek to set aside the Biblical condemnations for homosexuality (or any sin) are, in truth, only condemning those in that lifestyle.

The Episcopal "church" is already apostate, and many Methodists are on the same path. Christians must express love toward homosexuals and show them the Scriptural result of living that lifestyle. But to be "proud" of any clergy who tells a sinner that his sin is NOT sin, is not to love that person, but to condemn him to an eternity separated from God. Those clergy, are but doormen for the "wide gate that leads to destruction."