That sounds pretty spiritual from Bell doesn't it? The Holy Writ does say, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies "(Ro 8:18–23).
If you notice in that passage the text says that the creation itself waits for the "revealing of the sons of God." It also says that creation was subjected to its present state by God Himself to be set free from its bondage and to obtain the freedom of the children of God. The point being that creation, without the salvation of God's people, itself will not experience its restoration. It is dependent upon the salvation of redeemed sinners- the bride of Christ.
For the moment we will not talk about the cataclysmic judgement ( a point that many want to deny or dodge) that God will bring upon it to bring about this "new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pe. 3:10-18), but will focus on the deliverance of God's people before the restoration of creation. This is the part which Bell and many of his kind completely miss. The idea that Christ came to save sinners by virtue of penal substitutionary death is abhorred by Bell. God, according to Bell and the Emergent crowd, is not angry with sinners and needs not to have His divine justice satisfied. According to Bell sinners are like confused, lost, hurt people in need of a little tender loving care and some guidance. We are more of victims instead of rebels. We are victims and not sinners shaking our fists at God in defiance.
Sure he and the Emergent crowd will talk of "sin." The appropriate question to ask is what do they mean by "sin"? According to one of their like minded people, "sin" is "to lack trust in God to do things His way." Once a person fails to "trust" God then life becomes miserable, "hell on earth." Here we go again with sinners being more victims than offenders of a holy God. This is what is missing (among many other things) in the Emergent Gospel. God, to them, is more of a helper than God the Savior. God is simply saddened rather than offended and angry.
This is why they love to speak of a "resurrection rescue" or something similar. For them that is the view of salvation. There is no eternal judgement awaiting the unrepentant sinner. The cross of Christ is, not to save, but to make things better according to them. Which is why they rely so much on the felt needs and social justice. The cross of Christ is the greatest example of self-sacrifice for the greater good of creation. If one desires to not join in God's "resurrection rescue" then they will be experiencing "hell on earth" being separated from Him and being depressed, sad or bummed out. To them that is the worst thing. The consequences of sin itself is God's judgment because it keeps one away from this "resurrection rescue."
Bell's answer to such problem is to simply follow Jesus's example of self-sacrifice and love for others and you will be a part of this "resurrection rescue." Think like Jesus, feel like Jesus, believe like Jesus, act like Jesus, love like Jesus and you're in this "resurrection rescue."
My question to them is does the resurrection have any relation to justification? Or is it simply a matter of the way we live? You cannot divorce the the cross of Christ from the resurrection of Christ. Each component is intertwined. Permit me to quote Robert A. Peterson:
Justification. When Paul gives the basis for God’s declaring sinners righteous in Romans, he points primarily to the cross of Christ. In Romans 3:25–26 the basis of justification is “Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood.” In Romans 5:18–19 the basis of justification is Christ’s “obedience” unto death, his “one act of righteousness.” Paul focuses on the cross, but does not omit Jesus’s resurrection.
In one passage in Romans the apostle brings together the cross and empty tomb. Righteousness “will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our LORD, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:23–25). Here dealing with “our trespasses” and “our justification” are not two separate blessings, but one way of talking about the same blessing—free justification. Justification can be expressed as the positive imputation of righteousness to the believing sinner (Rom. 4:3–5; 5:18–19; 2 Cor. 5:21). It can also be expressed as the nonimputation of sin to the same (Rom. 4:6–7). So when Paul says Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses,” he means that his atoning death was necessary for our justification. When he says that Jesus was “raised for our justification,” he means that Jesus’s triumphant resurrection was necessary for our justification. Both Jesus’s death and his resurrection are necessary for sinners to be justified before a holy God.
Jesus’s death is the basis of our justification in that he, our substitute, died in our place, paying the penalty that we could never pay. He also saves us as our resurrected LORD and representative—as the one who lives on our behalf. This is true in at least two senses. First, Christ’s resurrection testifies to the efficacy of his death, as C. E. B. Cranfield explains: “For what was necessitated by our sin was, in the first place, Christ’s atoning death, and yet, had His death not been followed by His resurrection, it would not have been God’s mighty deed for our justification.” Second, Jesus’s resurrection saves us as he who died for us is freed from death by God. His saving death and saving resurrection are the reasons that God will free us from death too. James Dunn clarifies: “The link between justification and Jesus’ resurrection . . . underscores its point—that the justifying grace of God is all of a piece with his creative, life-giving power.” As we will see, his resurrection is the basis and guarantee of our resurrection to eternal life on the last day.
Forgiveness of sins. Because Jesus’s death and resurrection combine to constitute the basis of our justification, Paul announces to his hearers in Pisidian Antioch: “God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. . . . but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:23, 37–38). With these words Paul is not detracting from the saving value of Jesus’s atonement. Rather, he is teaching an additional truth—the saving value of Jesus’s resurrection. Specifically, Jesus’s (death and) resurrection is the basis for the apostolic message of the “forgiveness of sins” (v. 38).
Similarly, when Paul contemplates what would be true if Christ had not risen from the grave, he emphasizes, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). Why would that be the case? Anthony Thiselton answers: “Without the resurrection of Christ, Christ’s death alone has no atoning, redemptive, or liberating effect in relation to human sin.” It is because Jesus our divine-human representative not only died in our place but also lives as Victor over sin and the grave that he saves to the end all who come to God through him.*
Of course they will object that doctrine is impractical but, at a later time, I hope to show that justification and the resurrection should lead to what is called "social justice" of course with some clarifications.The danger with false teaching is sometimes there is a measure of truth in the errors.Theology is indeed practical.
Soli Deo Gloria!
For His Glory,
Fernando
*Robert A. Peterson. Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ (Kindle Locations 3044-3073). Crossway.
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