“I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
― Woody Allen
There are different definitions of hell. 23 minutes in rush-hour traffic. 23 minutes talking politics with the crazy uncle. 23 minutes of the finale of The Bachelorette.
Bill Wiese describes his experience of a particular night in November, 1998, where he claims the Lord sent him down into the pit of hell for 23 minutes. This video and accompanying book talk about the experience. Was I skeptical when I saw the YouTube link? Yep. Then I watched as he succinctly explained, and quoted scripture to support his thesis. Being a Bible nerd, I cross-checked the verses he referenced to ensure he wasn’t cherry-picking to create a bestselling narrative. His theology is accurate.
I often think fear is a crap deterrent, it pushes people away with a wave of a hand, as opposed to leading with the inspiration and hope of God. I think it depends on the country and culture. When in Haiti or other third-world countries, hope is the olive branch that pulls people towards considering Christ. Here in affluenza-driven America, fear of a bad eternal destination seems apropos. I mention in my book that trying to engage in a conversation about the possibility of hell, results in a whimsical concept of a dive bar with some shady characters, lousy jukebox and cheap whiskey. If only that were fact.
That’s why the testimony of Bill Wiese resonates. He sounds lucid and fervent in his push for understanding that we need to be desperate in our desire to not end up there. The reality is, even if he’s a complete nut-case, he is speaking about a subject all of us must consider. We know with 100% certainty we will leave this earth. As I’ve mentioned several times in my blogs and I’m Not Hitler, I’m astounded at our apathy towards the subject. Maybe I’m off in my assessment, and the apathy is masking a deep fear of the unknown. Either way, we can’t sit back and wait to go over the waterfall, we must address our individual end of life, and grab a life preserver.
Where I jump on the Wiese train wholeheartedly is his accurate and controversial theology he unwraps from 21:30 to 26:00 of the video. It’s a common refrain I hear: “I would never worship a God who sends people to hell.” As Wiese says in agreement with mainstream theologians, pastors and scholars, God doesn’t send us. We choose it.
“Uh, whuh you say!?” Listen to his analogies. Compelling.
Chew on this as a New Year’s resolution. The logic works like this, and I delve much deeper in my book (shameless plug):
- Start with the idea of intelligent design. There’s overwhelming evidence of a deistic architect. Patterns and logic make up 90% of our world. The ordering of all things leans towards purpose, not randomness.
- Next think of the the idea of authority. As in who has greater authority, you or God? (Surprisingly, this often stumps people.)
- Then ask, if God is the authority, does it seem logical that He usurps our opinions?
- Then question if there’s a logical reason for God to be mean, evil and contradictory?
- There appears to be evidence that He’s loving, or at least benevolent at times. Yes, I recognize that tragedy in the world appears to say He is evil and mean, but there’s another explanation available.
- Then ask if God is the ultimate loving authority, does it makes sense that God would give us exact instructions for His creation to step into the next life? Or would He leave it up to us to create our own concepts? Remember, His authority is greater than ours.
- Would it make sense for Him to give one path to enter the next life? Or five, 50 or 100 options that all contradict each other? Read what philosophers and logicians say about the law of contradiction, a crucial fact.
- Most important, look at the arc of your life. If there is a God who erases all past, present and future mistakes, wouldn’t that be worth exploring?
By far the toughest pill to swallow is why so many horrific things happen in this life, and God appears to be neutered with the outcomes. Scripture provides the best ― albeit tough answer ― in the form of an enemy who rules this side of heaven for a period of time. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This isn’t foreign to us, we see a world filled with good guys and bad guys, whether politics, film, or the opposing sports team. Think of Luke vs Darth Vader, and pretty much every sci-fi film, or the bully on the playground. We’re accustomed to good vs evil throughout history.
Not to say God is powerless and under authority of said enemy. To the contrary, for reasons a thousand-X higher than our paygrade, He knows best when to intervene, and when not. All the more reason to place our hope in a place devoid of pain and evil, and follow the simple instructions for entry.
If you’re rolling your eyes at the Wiese video, and insistent that organized religion is a big crock, I agree with you on several fronts. We Jesus peeps are rife with hypocrisy. However, if you want to bet on the idea that you’re gonna do your best to be a good person, live by the golden rule, and hope God agrees with your metrics; then please, please, PLEASE email me the conclusive list of good deeds. Confirm it with rigor and scholarly sources other than your zeal. Show me the definitive inventory God uses to measure our wholesome hearts, and include what happens when you don’t live up to your standards. We all have our opinions, but I’m curious about “The List,” the official index ― or holy book ― that rises above all others, and proves Christ’s efforts on the cross were not necessary.
While creating or searching for “The List,” wrestle deeply with what Wiese says. Could be the most important 34 minutes you and your friends ever spend.
See ya next time. ML