World to End on May 21?

There is a lot of buzz in the United States about Jesus coming back to earth this Saturday, May 21, 2011 to usher in the end of the world and Judgment Day.  Evidently, a broadcaster in California has deciphered the date from the Bible.  I guess he missed Jesus' words in Matthew 24:36, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Jesus will return one day.  It will be a joyous event for all who are ready.  I'm planning on being at Light of Christ to preach on May 22, though.  If Jesus himself doesn't know the date of His return, how can some dude out in California?  No offense to other Californians.

Hell No?

Evangelical pastor Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, has stirred up major controversy about Heaven, Hell, and salvation.  What do I think about it?  I'm not sure.  I recently got the book and am about halfway through it.  If you are curious, I encourage you to read it for yourself, too.

There are many varied opinions that have been voiced since the book was published.  Here are a few links:

Secular View from Time Magazine
Views from Various Evangelical Pastors
Humorous View from author Donald Miller.

Some related reading links:


Bishop Willl Willimon's Who Will be Saved?
C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce.

If you live in the Charlotte area, Myers Park United Methodist Church is hosting a program on Who Goes to Heaven?  Who Doesn't? on May 23 at 7 PM.  Click here for details.

Again, if you are interested in the debate around the content of Love Wins, read it for yourself.  There's also nothing wrong with reading the Bible to see what it actually says.

Update (7/21/11):  Check out Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's new book Erasing Hell for an evangelical view different from Rob Bell's.  Click here for details.