Former Pastor Says Bible not Relevant for Gay Marriage

Good morning everyone,  

I would first like to start with an apology. I realize that I sent two posting on Facebook regarding the following article on the Mr. Rob Bell.  The title of the article classifies him as a Christian pastor.  According to one of our associate pastor's,  Bell used to be an evangelist.  This obviously had a negative impact on my thoughts and feelings. Therefore,  I felt that the only way to deal with it, was to write about it.

I took a moment to review the video from the show (http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6723840). The discussion between the couple and the host lasted about 34 minutes. The discussion about marriage and relationship between man and his wife was very interesting.  They made some important statements regarding how couples interact with one another and how they can improve by recognizing each other's space and emotional needs.

It was not until between minute 30:00 to 32:00, where the discussion of gay marriage was discussed. As you will or have read within the article or will hear it from he and his wife, they believe that churches will and have been accepting of gay marriage.  Their rationale is that biblical doctrine is outdated and cultural advancement far out ways God, his Word, and his plan for salvation.  Not in this interview, but on several occasions Mr. Bell expressed his reasons for leaving Christianity.  Specifically, this statement, "I left Christianity because "I couldn't believe in a God that's jealous of me" (http://m.christianpost.com/news/rob-bell-oprah-winfrey-and-other-celebrities-dont-speak-for-the-true-church-on-marriage-issues--134385/). Consider the foundation of a person who releases his or her faith because they don't agree with God’s word. The biggest take away is that you have a choice; you either believe that God is who he says he is, Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the 3rd day for your salvation, or you don't believe that any or all of this applies to you.

First, let's consider the title of the book "The Zimzum of Love: The new way of understanding marriage". The word is actually Tzimtzum. A review of Basics in Kabbalah and Chassidut: Tzimtzum, revealed that the foundation of this comes from Jewish mysticism.  Sod Ha Tzimtzum (“The Secret of ‘Contraction'”) Three stages of the secret of “contraction”: the “removal” of God’s Infinite Light; the “impression” that God “withdrew” from creation; the “ray” of Divine light radiated into the primordial darkness.

The concept of tzimtzum, the contraction and “removal” of God’s infinite light in order to allow for
Creation of independent realities, is elucidated in the teachings of the Arizal. In the generations that followed, two schools of thought developed with regard to the meaning of tzimtzum: one took the concept literally (i.e. that God’s infinite light is no longer present within the “vacuum” or
“womb” of the created universe) while the other (that of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples
after him) understood the concept as not meant to be interpreted literally, but rather to refer to the manner in which God impresses His presence upon the consciousness of finite reality.

I am sure that you are saying, what in the world does this have to do with relationships and my marriage.  This is the whole point.  For some reason humans must always have a title for what something is. Even more,  it is so much against our nature, which is full of sin, to believe that God created marriage in the most simplest form. Oprah and people like her find ways to draw your attention with fashionable words and believe that complicating God's plan and Word is the best way to keep you drawn to them. Think about those who believe that God possibly could not have a problem with homosexuality.  They also say, God is a God of love and would not punish us if we loved who wanted an do what we wanted, as long as no one was hurt.

We can not believe that God created the earth, the fullness thereof, man, woman and marriage and believe that He is infallible and that he has to change to make us feel better.  No, the God we serve is the beginning and the end. Remember the book of Matthew 24:34-35, and The lesson of the Fig Tree "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."  Therefore, if this is what we believe is true, than Bell cannot be right.  Neither can these so-called churches who are changing to meet cultural times.

In closing,  I could provide you with a series of scriptures laying out God’s design for marriage and salvation.  Even more, I could provide scriptures devoted to lives of sexual purity and abstaining from immorality. Just because society says that it's ok for us to people of the same sex to get married or adopt children, or women freeze thier eggs and have babies out of wedlock in order to beat thier body clock, doesn’t make it right in the eyes of God.  Whether we believe it or not, we will have to face God.  I pray that in everything, you place Christ first.  He will never lead you astray. If you desire to have an enduring marriage and personal relationship with your family,  place Christ first. The Bible teaches you how to do just that.  Yes there are many authors who have written books on ways to apply the scriptures to you pursuit of the above.  What is key is that you forgoe trying to change your faith with the times and remain faithful to the scriptures. They have never and will never fail you.

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/02/254052-christian-pastor-rob-bell-advice-church-can-stay-relevant-including-bible/?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12&listID=%7BlistID%7D