I’ve always loved the clarity Tim Mackie brings in his presentations. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with everything he teaches (I’m speaking over the large body of work he has put out and not this video. I recommend The Bible Project by the way), he always challenges me, and quite often gives me fresh perspectives of Christianity. I don’t say this is a bad thing. His perspectives are not those that fly in the face of orthodoxy, but more that bring you to a traditional conclusion through other avenues. They broaden your thinking, and I believe broadening your thinking in one area reaps benefits in others.
In this particular video, Mackie tells us something about hell that perhaps, because of our traditional views and caricatures, we hadn’t seen. There is not devil with his pitchfork here. There is the earth, and the consideration that if Jesus asks in his prayer for God’s kingdom to come to earth, then what is it that we have in an earth without it? Look at Mark 1:15 – Jesus’s first words: “The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the good news.” Turn from the rebellion and experience God’s kingdom.
I use this video as a great example of Mackie’s ability to enlarge our perspectives, because even with his way of bringing it to us throughout the video, look at his conclusion – he still shows us the traditional view of hell. Please give this a good listen. Whatever you believe, it is an interesting presentation that might help you see things a different way. It might even excite something in you…