[printprofilepic]Have you heard about the hot new theological controversy that’s sweeping the nation?
Apparently, they’re calling it “universalism!”
Rob Bell, pastor of the mega-church Mars Hill in Michigan, released a book this past month titled Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Everyone Who Ever Lived. It’s a provocative title, and the book was already stirring up controversy in evangelical circles before it even hit the bookstore shelves, as prominent leaders of the conservative Christian movement began publicly calling Bell a heretic and slapping him with the (to them, derogatory) label “universalist”— and all based on nothing more than the promotional summary of the book from his publisher, and a video of Bell asking some pointed, provocative questions [“Gandhi's in hell? Really? How can you be sure?” (you can watch the video for yourself at: youtube.com/watch?v=VQlDOP49J7Y)]. Within a few days, “rob bell” and “universalism” became some of the hottest topics on Twitter.
No PR person could have created a better marketing campaign. Amazon sold out of its print run of the book on its first day of release, and it’s currently the #6 non-fiction Kindle e-book. The whole kerfuffle certainly piqued my interest enough to get me to pre-order a copy. I had to see for myself. Who is this guy that has the world of American Christianity so steamed? Is he really a Universalist? And what does that mean for a Universalist like me?
I’ve just barely begun to dig into the text on my Kindle. But, based on my reading so far and on the comments of others who have read the full book, all signs point to “possibly”—Pastor Rob Bell does indeed seem to have adopted something that bears a passing resemblance to the classic Christian Universalism of John Murray and Hosea Ballou—our Universalist forebears who lived over two centuries ago: a loving deity would not damn creation for all eternity. Bell, however, will not explicitly admit to being a “universalist.”
Now, Bell is not the first evangelical to advance these ideas in a discussion with his flock (I’ve mentioned Carlton Pearson and Jay Bakker in my sermons before), and he’s honest enough to admit that he didn’t invent the idea. But, why has Bell caused such a stir? Social media has helped, I’m sure. I think what scares some people, though, is the fact that he reaches such a huge audience. Bell runs a big church. His congregation isn’t running away from his message, and that means that his “heresy” is gaining a foothold. Universalism is starting to catch on in parts of the evangelical world. In fact, Scot McKnight, a professor of religion at North Park University— a prominent evangelical school in Chicago—has said that universalism will be at the center of the defining debate among evangelicals in this generation.
So, what does this all mean for Unitarian Universalists? The evangelical understanding of universalism and our understanding do not exactly match up on all counts. Our universalism has developed over the centuries into something more—well—universal, embracing a wider meaning of what it means to be religious in this world. Bell’s universalism still puts Jesus at its center, while we see Jesus as a truth, not the truth. Which is all to say that we probably won’t be merging denominations any time soon. But that does not mean we don’t have an opportunity to begin working together. The embrace of universalism in the evangelical world does, I think, open our eyes to a perhaps heretofore undiscovered pathway within what Martin Luther King so beautifully described as the “inescapable network of mutuality.” A door has certainly opened, or at the very least a window through which we can have a conversation. I am intrigued and excited about the possibilities for our future.
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As we end the service each Sunday, we invite one another to “go now in peace.” I’d like us to consider, then, how peacefully we leave the sanctuary at the close of the service. At the end of the second service, the custom has been to immediately break down the chairs in Robinson Hall. However, there is still a musical portion of the service going on, and some people do like to stay and listen, or sit and contemplate. The worship committee and I are asking that we refrain from breaking down the chairs in Robinson Hall until at least the postlude has ended. This will help to maintain the mood of the service as we truly try to “go in peace.” Volunteers are welcome to put up chairs after coffee, or leave the breakdown for the next renter who needs the floor clear.
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I want to reiterate my enthusiasm for this year’s General Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina this June, and encourage you to consider attending. Early bird registration rates are still valid through the month of April, and we do have some subsidy money available for those who are chosen to serve as delegates on behalf of the congregation. You can find all the information you need at uua.org/ga. Registration rates go up on May 1st, and the Council will be selecting delegates soon. Please contact me with any questions, or to let me know if you’re planning on attending.
Rev. John Cullinan
