Our Study for Wednesday Night, April 20^th– centers around a controversial new book called “Love Wins.”  The book was written by Rob Bell, pastor of the 10,000-member Mars Hill Bible Church near Grand Rapids, Mich.  The full title of the book is  “Love Wins: A book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived “.  His basic  message is  ” the Good News is better than we’ve been told – the Good News is that Love Wins.”  God’s love will ultimately win everyone to faith either in this life or in the life to come.  He says he believes in hell — but then says it’s not a literal place but simply a synonym for suffering in the modern world. He refuses the label  “universalist” (one who believes that everyone will ultimately be “saved”)   instead, he highlights a few New Testament Scriptures, like “in Christ, God was reconciling the WORLD to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Cor. 5:19), and Jesus’ statement, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw ALL people to Myself” (John 12:32).  So, when you consider that God is All Powerful and 2Pet 3:9 says “The Lord….is not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” Then the Question becomes – “Will God get what he wants?” – universal salvation ?

So let’s gather this week on Wednesday Night of Holy Week – and ask the Question – If everyone is going to be saved anyway – WHY the CROSS?