The Last Word and the Word After That: A Review

I just finished reading a fascinating book titled, "The Last Word and the Word After That" by Brian McLaren. First let me say that if you don't feel strong enough to have your beliefs challenged without losing your faith, don't read it. It's fair to say that not all people are at a comfortable enough place in their faith to be able to be challenged in the way this book challenges. If you do feel you are mature enough I encourage to read it with the mind set that you might not like or agree with everything he writes and you may really hate the fact that some of the subject matter is even considered in the way that it is, but it will make you think. And that, I believe, is a good thing.

The book is essentially a "creative non-fiction," meaning that it communicates theological ideas through a fictional story. While it is still a complicated read, it is much easier to accept theology in terms of story than textbook. Perhaps that is what makes the Bible such a wonderful book. It communicates timeless truths using stories, some real life, some parable.

The theme of the book is centered around a re-evaluation of the concept or physical place of hell. The pastor and main character in the book is struggling with his exclusivity view of hell while not yet feeling comfortable enough to accept either the inclusive or universalist view either. The book is his process of wading his way through a thick history of varied ideas on the subject and coming to a better understanding that seems to him to be more in line with the character of God.

One of the things I found most compelling about the book is that eternity or the idea of heaven and hell were new to the Jewish religion sometime between the Old and New Testament. Previously the religions that had an understanding of an afterlife were more Greek and Babylonian rather than Jewish. During Jesus' time the Sadducces still didn't believe in the afterlife which is one of the things that set the Pharisees and Sadducces apart from one another. Secondly, a lot of the "hell" terminology used in the Bible is actually terminology from other religions. For instance, Hades, is a term for hell in Greek Mythology. There were a few others that I can't remember right now. You'd actually be amazed to see how many of the biblical stories of creation, the flood and other things are incredibly similar to the stories of other religions.

I don't want to give away the conclusions and questions that are brought up throughout the book because they are so difficult to grapple with that it's best to take them in full context rather than in my little blog.

But the ideas fascinate me and challenge me to look at the Bible with great respect and consideration, always seeking God for wisdom and never assuming everything I hear or read in regards to the Bible is simply true.

We know but in part....