Julie Ferwerda

The doctrine of an eternally burning hell that most Christians believe has to be one of the worst. The author does a good job of critiquing this doctrine, showing how, from within a Christian worldview, it makes no sense and is incompatible with views of the Christian god that assert how loving God is. I'm not so enamoured with her answer to it, which is a universalist theology. It essentially does away with the notion of genuine human free choice -- although she proposes a response to that. I think that Neal Punt's biblical universalism view is more nuanced and consistent with the biblical texts. This book is probably going to only interest Christian believers who should, in my opinion, read it to see how unethical, bizarre, and disturbing the doctrine of hell is to those outside of Christianity. For those who don't believe in an eternally burning hell, the book probably doesn't matter.… (altro)

This is one of those thought-provoking books that make you reexamine your beliefs on certain topics that you have been taught about your whole life. In this case the topic is the doctrine of hell. This is a great addition to Rob Bell's, "Love Wins". I thoroughly enjoyed "Love Wins" but there were a lot of unanswered questions that the book left me with. Julie Ferwerda answered those questions in "Raising Hell". She makes a great case against hell in the traditional fiery eternal conscious torment sense. She makes an even greater case for universal salvation, complete with Scripture and quotes from the early church fathers.

The doctrine of hell was primarily formulated by 3rd and 4th century theologians. The early church did not ascribe to this doctrine nor did the Apostles and apostolic fathers. It was a fear-based doctrine primarily formalized by Augustine to scare people into acquiescing to the new state religion of Constantine. The concept of a place of eternal conscious torment was foreign to the Jewish audience at this time and any mention of damnation, fire, brimstone, etc. was typically seen as a figurative (see Gehenna) place of refinement and/or judgment. She makes the Biblical case of the Bible's misinterpretation of the word "aeon" used to mean eternal, rather than ages. Ages are periods of time with a beginning and an end. Whereas, eternal is a timeframe without ending.

Ferwerda also introduces the problem of evil. From where does evil originate? She boldly claims that God created evil. He himself is not evil, but He allows evil in order that good may come. In order for good to occur, evil must exist. This is exhibited most clearly when God planted both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. Why did God even plant the Tree of Good and Evil if it weren't meant to be used? Why didn't God build a fence around the tree to prevent Adam and Eve from accessing it? Again, Ferwerda asserts this was purposely designed as a part of God's greater plan and purpose for mankind.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but there are a few red flags that the reader should be made aware of. Red flags that made me think Ferwerda may be moving closely to the theology ascribed by Jehovah's Witnesses. She talks a lot about Plans and Covenants, much like Charles Taze Russell did. She totally denies Hell altogether much like JWs do. She often quotes from a Bible version that does not exist and refers to it as the Most Literal Translation (MLT). But, most disturbing is it seems Ferwerda is now beginning to deny the deity of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the Evangelical Universalist forum.

With this in mind, I read through the book very carefully and found it interesting, engaging, and very thought-provoking. A good number of times I had to resort to studying the Scriptures to see if what Ferwerda had stated was correct. And, most often she was. Great read and highly recommended to anyone who questions the validity of hell.… (altro)

Inspired by the work of Dr. M.A. Thomas in India, Julie Ferwerda enthusiastically embraced his God-given vision of sending out One Million Arrows (children trained to reach the nations with the gospel) into the world. While Thomas has been faithfully laboring to raise abandoned and orphaned children for the Lord while training them for future roles in ministry and evangelism, Ferwerda has expanded this vision to include our own biological children here in North America, and any whose lives we may touch through giving.

Ferwerda both encourages families to raise their children whole-heartedly for missions and ministry, while examining the impact that families can have mission-ally and financially as they seek to reach the world for Jesus. Recent years have seen a huge re-evaluation of the approaches used to impart discipleship upon children. Increasingly parents are turning away from reliance upon formal church ministries and embracing visions of family discipleship within their homes. Author Julie Ferwerda offers a unique approach to creating a family on fire for the great commission in One Million Arrows.

One of my favorite portions of the book was the inclusion of the paths different families have taken to raise their children with a passion for Christ. Many homeschooling families have shared their stories and the fruit their children’s lives have borne. Likewise, the stories of many orphans who have been raised in Christian homes with a heart for ministry are also shared along with some of their impact upon the world.

Ferwerda’s passion is unmistakable, but at times her message of spreading the gospel through the lives of children who have been abandoned and consequently raised in Christian homes seems a bit cold. There is little discussion of God’s heart for placing orphans in families (regardless of whether they reach the world for Christ), the tender joys of adoption, or even the delights of parenthood. Her tight focus on raising children with hearts for evangelism does at times give an all-business, no-nonsense, raise ‘em up, get ‘em out, feel to her work.

With such a strong emphasis on numbers, I’m surprised that a strong emphasis on bearing more children and adopting more children into our families wasn’t included in One Million Arrows. Though Ferwerda does briefly mention the possibility of having more children oneself, it’s a one-sentence statement. She then focuses mainly upon financial support to international orphan ministries (100% of the book’s proceeds are designated towards such ministries.) An excellent resource section at book’s end provides an abundance of ministries to investigate for charitable giving.

Though I’m already somewhat familiar with the principles of family discipleship, reading One Million Arrows gave fresh inspiration, and a renewing of my vision for our family. It is so easy to become distracted in this temporal life, but Ferwerda keeps us focused on those things that have eternal value, and encourages us to run the race with both perseverance and joy.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com… (altro)