Letting God speak for Himself

I'm currently reading "Erasing Hell," by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle.  Can't say that I'm enjoying it... that seems the wrong way to put it.  But it is a timely book, well worth reading and considering.  The subtitle is "What God said about eternity, and the things we've made up."  So far, the text lives up to the intent.  In short, the book reviews Biblical teaching, rather than rehashing popular theological theories.

The difference between the two approaches is striking.  And as Chan says repeatedly, this is not a study to merely read and debate.  For any Christian, this subject is at the heart of reality, and there are difficult teachings for us to reconcile ourselves to--and live our lives by. 

I often hear people say, "I could never love a God who would..."
Who would what?  Disagree with you?  Do things that you would never do?  Who would allow bad things to happen to people?  Who would be more concerned with His own glory than your feelings?  Who would--send people to hell?
But this makes as much sense as the clay looking up at the Potter and saying "I really think you messed up here, let me show you a better way to mold me."  Picture the absurdity!  Yet we do it all the time...
It has taken me 43 years to finally confess that I have been embarrassed by some of God's actions.  In my arrogance, I believed I could make Him more attractive or palatable if I covered up some of His actions.  So I neglected speaking on certain passages, or I would rush through certain statements God made in order to get to the ones I was comfortable with.  The ones I knew others would like.
I am just now seeing the ugliness of my actions.  Like the nervous kid who tries to keep his friends from seeing his drunken father, I have tried to hide God at times.  Who do I think I am?  The truth is, God is perfect and right in all He does.  I am a fool for thinking otherwise.  He does not need nor want me to "cover" for Him.  There's nothing to be covered...
Let's not think that spending a bit of time meditating on the mysteries of the universe places us on a level that allows us to call God into question.

Between visiting the Creation Museum earlier this week, and picking up this book, I have been doubly blessed by fellow believers who respect the authority of Scripture and place it at the center of their efforts to understand what God expects of us.  If only the entire church would return to such a high view of God's Word!