Really this Bell arguing is stupid as can be and I think many will stand before Jesus ashamed at the words stated about him… I just hope they come to shame before that now… and repent of their ways.

Sometimes there are omissions that are material to the subject that, when left out, change the core meaning of the issue. When you leave out the cross in a major way, you alter the meaning of redemption.

Which still does not address the issue with proving a negative, since what you choose to critique (soundbites, etc.) are part of a larger conversation with (as we’ve consistently demonstrated) does include the cross.

Pick any speaker, and I’m pretty sure I can bitch about whatever he didn’t say in a selected soundbite.

Does Bell emphasize the empty grave more than the cross? Yes. Is this a problem? I would certainly hope not, since the former is what makes the latter have any importance in the first place.

The resurrection must be tethered to the cross/redemption and cannot just mean you change your lifestyle. The lifestyle rebirth is due to a freedom found in Christ through His cross and substantiated by the resurrection. Without the cross there is no resurrection and we cannot portray the resurrection as merely symbolic of a new way of living due to a reassessment of our part in helping the world.

Every believing follower of Jesus Christ should do many things in Jesus’ name, but we are primarily ministers of reconciliation (redemption).

“The Father has sent Me to seek and to save that which was lost, and as the Father has sent Me, so send I you.”

Pastorboy, I’m curious. What are those post-modern philosophical soundbites?

“Postmodern” is a term that Pastorboy pciked up and yeilds in a manner that can best be decribed as a “meaningless cliche.” Much like Silva uses emerging.

Step one – grab a term
Step two – fill it with your own meanings
Step three – insert it as often as poosible regardless of context or relevance.
Step four – assume you have communicated something

HT: Chad

…not the good works Gospel but the Gospel that Jesus died and rose again to save sinners of which I am the chief. – PB

So you agree with Bell’s opening comments then – good for you.

Still, you are saying that I cannot disagree with Bell without being uniformed.

The problem is that most of the criticism (as with Warren) is about what he didn’t say about X, Y or Z, not about what was actually said.

Again – an argument trying to prove a negative.