How much does Theology Really Matter?

I was just reading an article about Mark Driscoll calling Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt and Rob Bell Heretics. His beef, and the beef of the writer of the article was the doctrine of salvation and Driscoll's difference with these men over their interpretation of scripture.

Here's my question:

Does it really matter?

Of course I will not argue that salvation does not matter. But here we have Driscoll who claims to read a theology book every day, Rob Bell who has the Old Testament background of his upbringing and Pagitt who has been a major voice in the Emerging Church for years. And of course McLaren who seems to bring a huge well traveled perspective to his spiritual formation.

These 4 dudes are more schooled in intricate theological debate and study than most pastors. They all have upper middle class backgrounds and have had all of the advantages of loose jobs where they can study for countless hours, write for a living and use their actual pastorate as more of a hobby than a job, if they like.

And they don't agree.

They all choose to emphasize some teachings over others, some aspects of their intrepretations of God's character over others, some of the prophetic language from scritpure over others, some of the doctrinal teachings about salvation, biblical inerrancy, authority of scripture, practical Christian living etc. etc. But what should baffle and confuse us the most is the fact that these guys don't agree.

And my question becomes, do you think that we will stand at the judgement seat of God and He will be asking us who we sided with? Do you think that there will be a special section of hell or heaven devoted to the followers of these men? Do you think that some of us or some of them will wake up in hell after death?

There is very little that McLaren and Driscoll and Bell have in common when it comes down to theology. McLaren thinks that God has already done all of His redeeming and saving and that all of us will experience the benefits of that in the after life. Bell thinks that salvation comes through faith in Jesus and His saving power. And Driscoll believes that God has already decided these things and that they are not up to us.

When it comes down to it... it's a mess. Some churches teach that church attendance, saying a certain prayer or even giving money faithfully will have major impacts on your status in the after-life.

The point that I am trying to make though is not whether these thoughts are right or wrong, but that there IS confusion. When I read the Bible, I can come to very very different conclusions than you can. I can read some of Paul's statements and say that women should not be church leaders, or I can read some of his history or some of Jesus statements that make me believe very differently. I can read Revelation and believe that there will be signs before the end times, or I can read where Jesus says it will come like a thief in the night. I can apply Jesus' cast the first stone consequence to someone's sin, or I can excommunicate them from my church based on Paul's teaching. I can believe that Jesus came to save "the world" "the faithful" or "the elect."

One big question that this provokes for me is: Does God understand that His Bible is very confusing? Does God only intend for those enlightened thinkers who have correctly interpreted scripture will be with Him in heaven?

or

Can we believe that God's character is of Grace and Understanding? Can we believe that maybe the Doctrine of Salvation is less important than joining the community of those who follow the Saver?

The implications for this are huge for me in our current church planting discussion. Is our church about saving people from hell? Or is our church about being who Jesus calls us to be? AND trusting that Jesus will care for us eternally.

It's a lot to think about.