Haiti Journals - PART 4 and "CONSTANTINE"

Back in the saddle.
First, a journal entry. After that, retrospective on that entry, through the eyes of Hollywood.

Undated - Port Au Prince - Haiti
"...A friend of mine (who happens to be a young pastor) was driving me somewhere one day.

I had been sharing my thoughts concerning God's love with him. Among those thoughts are some that allow that maybe God will save everyone. Such thinking leaves room for the possibility that there is no "Hell" (as we now know it) while also immediately challenging the inerrancy of the Bible. It is for those reasons, a bold submission.

He shared with me a genuine interest in the possibility of such a hope, but made it very clear... he would NEVER preach that from a pulpit. Moreover, he would never personally claim to believe it.

In a sense, if "salvation for all" is true, then preaching about "Hell-fire and damnation" won't hurt you in the end... because salvation would be for all... even gruff preachers of judgment. HOWEVER, if "Hell fire and damnation" are closer to actual truth, then the idea of "salvation for all" is DEADLY!

Given these two possibilities...
...the safe bet is to stick with preaching "Hell-fire and damnation." If that theology is true, then someday you will be glad to know that you got it right. If "salvation for all" is true, then it won't ultimately matter whether you got it right or wrong.

He said that he was unwilling to preach "salvation for all" because it was too great a risk. If he was wrong... it would be curtains for himself and, very likely, many of those he mislead. Makes sense.

Tonight in Haiti,
as I listen to two little mice scamper and I write only by the light of a flickering candle... it occurs to me.

There are many other religions. Among them, many claim exclusivity. That is to say, they claim that their plan for salvation is the only correct plan for salvation. If you do not adhere to their specific teachings, then each of those religions promises damnation. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are a few... but there are many more.

So to my pastor friend, I simply wish to point out... while I certainly respect your wish to play it safe... you are NOT playing it safe. You are already "picking" or "choosing" one religion from many, all of which claim exclusivity as one of their central tenets. You're already taking a big gamble.

That you are comfortable with it...
...that you have been raised in it, studied it longer, been changed by its truths, and seen evidence of its verity does not in any way increase the odds that you have chosen wisely.

Somewhere around the globe, millions of others rest convinced in an opposing doctrine of exclusivity. Each of those are equally (if not more) convinced of their creed than you are of yours. They too have felt the power, seen the signs, been changed by the teachings and grown comfortable in the embrace of those who share their heart space. But if your safety net... if their safety net is based in truth... then one of you is right and the rest of you are damned!

How can you call that "playing it safe?"
The determination to stick with the probability of "Hell-fire and damnation" is still (and in no uncertain terms) JUST AS RISKY as ditching it altogether. I didn't say it was wrong to believe in "Hell-fire and damnation." Instead, I simply cannot understand someone to saying that it's a "safe" way to think. Safe within Christianity perhaps. But still pretty exclusive and one-sided from a global perspective.

This post is not in any way meant to sell folks on the thought that God will save every person. Even I am still wrestling with that (quite a lot actually). But the reason most folks refuse to even "go there" is fear. The fear of damnation. Pure and simple.

This entry is only to say that, if damnation is a reality... then we ought to be afraid anyway. What if Christianity is wrong and Islam is Truth? We feel certain at our core that Christianity is Truth. So do Muslims concerning Islam. If any of us are right, then most of us are doomed... and THAT'S scary!

Confidence is no reason not to fear.
The "what if" that comes with any doctrine of exclusivity is reason enough to make all adherents to such doctrines... steeped in fear.

All I'm saying is... don't refuse to "go there" concerning the grace of God simply because the risk is too great.

YOU ARE ALREADY TAKING THAT RISK!
So fear is a weak excuse.

If we're not willing to consider God's grace for everyone... we're going to need a better reason than fear."
- End of journal entry.
Continue for closing thoughts.

Hooray For Hollywood.
I saw the film Constantine last night. It makes a pretty good case for fear. Man oh man! Who knew that just wanting to LOVE YOUR FATHER could be so hard? So risky? So complicated? So DANGEROUS!!!!

At the end of some very long days, I cannot honestly tell you where it is that I stand on many things (religious or otherwise)... but I can say this... I'm tired of being afraid. So, I'm trying not to be anymore. I'm daily growing more and more willing to take risks. Why? Because I suspect that, if God is truly a loving Father... the word "risk" has no meaning. It is a word we have crafted from a bold misunderstanding of God's character.

Only slowly am I stepping foot out of one old box and into another.
A shift in perspective.

Here's to hoping God loves His children half as much as I love mine!

Cheers!
Luke