As the Pastor

A few weeks back, a member of the staff made an excellent suggestion, one that Shiloh will seek to embody in a new Bible @ Boston's feature. It is called Ask the Pastor.

Ask the Pastor will consist of formulating responses to the spiritual and theological questions of members and friends of the church and turning those responses into hour-long investigations of those questions. For instance, the first topic that the staff has received from a church member has been, "What is the significance of the concepts of Heaven and Hell and where did these concepts come from?" (sic)

Many recognize, of course that a theology of grace runs counter to our traditional understandings of Heaven and Hell. If grace is true, then eternal punishment makes no sense. If eternal punishment makes no sense, then eternal reward is up for debate. If grace is universally given, and if each person is saved in the Crucifixion, then eternal reward must be universal instead of conditional. It is derived, not from one's commitment, devotion or loyalty, but exclusively in the act of God in Christ. Grace is salvation accomplished for us and, as an extension, grace is embodied through us.

So what about Heaven and Hell?

This will be our topic of discussion , originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Boston's Bistro and Pub, located at the corner of North Main Street (St. Rte. 48) and Dogleg Road (Westbrook Rd.). I am aware that this is the night before Thanksgiving, and that some of us may be traveling. I am therefore willing to change the date to a week earlier, though that coincides with the Holiday Bazaar. A week earlier than that would place the discussion on November 12. If I hear from enough of those who may be interested in the discussion, it is possible that we might change to that date, but I have to notify Boston's by the middle of October.

In order to submit a question for Ask the Pastor, simply place your question, in writing, in the offering plate on Sunday, email it to Carl Robinson at crobinson@shiloh.org or make a comment in response to this post on the Shiloh Facebook group site. Remember that comments are disabled on this account on blogspot.

We look forward to some lively discussion and some important information on pertinent issues. I sincerely hope that many of you will join us.