Dear Brothers and Sisters at Maranatha Bible Church,

A number of you have asked me for my thoughts on Rob Bell’s latest book Love Wins.  Since the book came out this week, the blogosphere has been buzzing with posts and comments about it.  Many reviews have been written in the last few days and I would encourage you to read them to gain a greater understanding of the issues in this book.  Specifically, I want to point you to the following reviews since these men have addressed the issues accurately and biblically:

Review by Al Mohler:http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/03/16/we-have-seen-all-this-before-rob-bell-and-the-reemergence-of-liberal-theology/

Review by Ligon Duncan: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/03/speaking-seriously-and-sensiti.php

Review by Kevin DeYoung: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/

Review by Denny Burk: http://www.dennyburk.com/revising-hell-into-the-heterodox-mainstream/

Also, since his book denies that hell is a place for those who reject Christ and a place where they spend an eternity receiving God’s wrath against their sin, let me direct you to an excerpt from a sermon I preached on hell from Revelation 14:9-11 (see link to the article “A Biblical Understanding of Hell from Revelation 14″ below).

Finally, having read his book at the very same time I have been preaching through the Gospel of John’s account of Christ’s death, I cannot help but mention that my greatest concern with his book is that it essentially negates the need for a substitute who takes the wrath we deserve.  If all people eventually get to heaven whether in this life or the next and if God’s love eventually overcomes every person, then why the need for a substitute?  Why the need for Christ to become the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?  Why did Christ lay down his life and become a curse for us if everyone ultimately winds up in heaven anyway?  Having been immersed in the glories of Calvary for the last few weeks and been overwhelmed with the wonders of the cross where Christ made payment for my sin, I find Bell’s rejection of the need for penal, vicarious substitution deeply disturbing.  This amounts to nothing short of ripping the heart and soul out of the Gospel.  Christ was wounded for our transgressions and was crushed for our iniquities so that we can be forgiven, can enter into a relationship with the Father, can hope for the splendor of heaven, and can avoid the torments of hell.  To essentially say that there was no place for a Savior who was made sin for us and no place for a substitute who propitiated God’s wrath against our sin is to strip the Gospel of its wonder and rob Christ of His greatest work on our behalf.  Among the many errors in Love Wins, this is the greatest!

A Biblical Understanding of Hell From Revelation 14

Posted: March 17th, 2011 under Pastor's Posts.
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Yesterday, many of us were at the airport to see the Thiry’s off to Tenerife.  After helping them process 12 checked bags, car seats, a stroller, and 5 carry-ons, we gathered together for a short time of prayer and then said our good-bye’s.  It was in all senses of the word “bittersweet.”  It was sweet in that we had the great privilege of sending a family to the mission field to work with a team of church planters to proclaim the Gospel, establish the church, and equip the saints.  It was bitter in that we had to say goodbye to a dear couple we all have loved deeply and the abundance of tears was indicative of how difficult it was to see them go.

I was reminded of a similar situation with the apostle Paul in Acts 20:25-38 when he had to leave his beloved Ephesians.  The text says they did a number of things as they sent Paul on his missionary journey, knowing they would not see him again: they knelt down, they prayed, they wept aloud, they embraced, they grieved.  Why such a response?  Because their hearts were knit with his.  Their passions were his passions.  He had become dear to them and they had become dear to him.

As difficult as these tearful departures are, I believe they are indicative of a healthy church and ministry.  As much as I didn’t want to see the Thiry’s leave our MBC family, I am excited that our church gets to invest in world missions and global church planting.  This is an investment in eternity and one that, Lord willing, will bear much fruit.  I believe it will be fruitful to our church as we get to partner with the Thiry’s in their ministry and assist them in proclaiming the Gospel in a predominantly Catholic context.  I am excited to see how the Lord is going to bless Maranatha as a result of our willingness to send and invest in this family.  I also pray that we have many more “tearful departures” as we invest in believers here whom the Lord will equip and call to full time service.

On a personal note, thank you for your care for the Thiry’s and for your willingness to support them financially, relationally, and prayerfully.  It is a joy to be part of a family of believers that is eternally minded and storing up treasures in heaven!

Posted: April 8th, 2010 under Pastor's Posts.
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To help us appreciate the gravity of what Christ did on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have put together a Devotional with seven sections to inform your mind, enflame your heart, and to help you prepare for our services this weekend.

It is our prayer that these devotionals will fuel your hunger for the Word of God, increase your love for God in Christ, and prepare your heart for celebrating the death and resurrection of our Savior with the Body of Maranatha Bible Church.

Navigate HERE or in the sidebar to the right to access.

Posted: March 29th, 2010 under Pastor's Posts.
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This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we remember the coming of Christ into Jerusalem to begin the Passion Week.  I want to encourage you to read the account of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the events that transpired surrounding it.  Over the next couple of days, take a few minutes to read Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 which describe Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.  Consider how the chant of the crowds changed from “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” to “Crucify Him! Crucify Him” in just a few days.  Ask the Lord to make your heart sensitive to what Christ endured to redeem you.
Photo courtesy of Villanova University.

Posted: March 26th, 2010 under Pastor's Posts.
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If you are a father and still have children living in your home, I just finished a book you should consider reading.  It’s called Family Worship by Joel Beeke.  If you are like me, you’ve probably struggled at times wondering how to lead your family and children in regular, productive worship times at home.  What should you study?  How long should it be?  How do you do it?  Dr. Beeke answers these questions in this very practical, short, and easy to read book.  Stop by Reformation Heritage Books at Puritan Reformed Seminary on Leonard.  Or you can purchase it online at:

http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/Family-Worship.html

I trust it will be an encouragement to you fathers as you bring your children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord!

Posted: March 24th, 2010 under Pastor's Posts.
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