The following is a brief review by pastor Peter Hiett of The Sanctuary Downtown, Denver, Colorado. Peter’s background is Reformed Presbyterian. He holds to a high view of Scripture and elevates Christ and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ in all things. Here are a few thoughts he shared after viewing “Hellbound?”…
“In Hellbound Kevin Miller does a wonderful job of framing the arguments and passions surrounding the controversial doctrine of Eternal Torment. The movie is a documentary meant to raise as many questions as it answers. In producing the movie, Miller interviews pastors, theologians, and scholars coming from a variety of camps and perspectives. For those who want a nice tight exegetical and theological conclusion to all of their questions, this movie will probably leave them dissatisfied. No one can agree with all of the movie, for the movie isn’t meant to agree with itself. But for those that want to understand the “lay of the land” and then dig in to Scripture and Church History on their own, this is a wonderful resource. Most people don’t even know how to begin to discuss the issues surrounding the doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment. I think Hellbound, will go a long way in furthering meaningful discourse.”
On Mark Driscoll and asking questions
See the “Hellbound?” website for a theater near you:
Bravo!
I was at the showing last evening in Nashville. Certainly agree that it did not agree with itself, very much as the Holy Scripture. My religious outlook has been changed as a result.
Bill,
Or for anyone who had the same experience after watching Hellbound, I would like to respond to your reaction. I thoroughly understand your cynicism over the “holy Scripture” which the Church claims contains one message of “good news” as they proceed to contradict one another endlessly. But I believe the contradictions you have witnessed are only apparent and actually a catalyst to seeing something greater and grander “far above all you could ever ask or imagine.” Please do not give up trying to see. There really is one God with one message and it is absolutely breath-taking. And believe it or not it is coming from the Body of Christ–when it is seen as a Body, as one voice together.
I am writing some additional thoughts down and will post soon.
In the meantime I would offer the following articles that deal with the apparent disunity of the message of the Church…
On “being wrong” in order to find the truth, together, as the Body of Christ see:
http://godslovewins.com/blog/arent-we-all-heretics/
On how the Evangelical Church itself together is forming the Gospel story-line of redemption and restoration of all mankind see:
http://godslovewins.com/blog/how-the-body-of-christ-is-supporting-christian-universalism/
grace and peace…