Heaven. Hell. The kingdom of God on earth. What do these three things have in common? They are at the heart of a controversial shift of thought in today’s church. But even in this controversy, there is a middle road for us all to tread that will help us to all work together.
One side indicates that that heaven and hell are the only two things to think about. This thought is mainly attributed to the older generation. Heaven is the only motivation for people on earth. We should live our lives here on earth simply looking forward to the day when we can go to heaven. Also, hell is the other side of our motivation. We come to Jesus because He saves us from hell. We witness to others for the sole reason that they will not go to hell. Everything in our lives revolves around the motivations of heaven and hell.
The other side – the side attributed to the postmodern and emergent church – downplays the role of heaven and hell in a Christian’s. Instead, they focus everything upon living out the kingdom of God on earth. They want to live their lives fully here on earth – not simply waiting for heaven, but working hard to make this world better. Also, they witness to people because they want them to experience the kingdom of God on earth, as well. Everything revolves around living and furthering the kingdom of God on earth.
So why are these two thoughts so opposed? One side can’t believe that a Christian wouldn’t care about heaven or hell. The other side wonders why everything Christians do is only concerning heaven or hell. One side just doesn’t want people to go to hell. The other side wants people to know there is so much more than just heaven and hell. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? What should we be preaching, teaching, living, and believing?
Well, not to be anti-climactic, but we should be doing both. Why does it have to be one or the other? It doesn’t. I will argue that point with anyone. We do not have to choose between these two things. We can preach and teach and live both of these principles – and we need to, as well. It is becoming a divisive issue. The older generation is worried about a weak Christianity that is not focused on what is most important: the eternal state of the soul. The younger generation is frustrated with how the church has forced heaven onto people and scared them with hell over the years. It is beginning to look like lines are being drawn over this issue.
But it does not need to be so. There is a middle road that we can tread. This issue does not have to be either/or, but it can be both/and. Heaven and hell are important factors to the Christian story, but it can be portrayed in a much more relevant way. The kingdom of God is a wonderful motivation, but the eternal state of the soul needs to be of vital importance, as well. We can combine our thoughts. We can mold our beliefs about this issue. Both sides have good hearts; we simply need to find the middle road on this issue: a middle road called “both/and”.
We must find the middle road on this issue.
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