Controversial pastor, Rob Bell, has raised a lot of evangelical eyebrows and received a lot of praise and/or condemnation over his new book: Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Christian websites and bloggers are abuzz over this book. Many speak of his great and majestic presentation of the grace of God. Others charge him with heresy.
Here’s my take on Rob Bell and his book:
3 Irrefutable Truths
1) I’ve never met Rob Bell. I’ve never attended his church, never sat across a table with a cup of coffee, never talked with him on the phone. Like most of the people writing about what motivates him, where he’s coming from, the psychology of his message, etc. I have no idea what’s going on in his heart or mind.
2) I’ve never read Rob Bell. Not one word. Not a blog, a sermon transcript, or any of his books. Like too many of the “experts” writing about the content of his teachings and writings, if I wrote something about him, it would be based on secondary evidence and judgements of others–either his fans or his detractors.
3) I’m going to keep my mouth shut about Rob Bell.
There you go. Those are my three “points” on Rob Bell.
That’s what I can be sure of.
Come on, Christian community. Breathe through your nose.
Question: Am I the only one tired of experts warning me against every new book that comes out as if I don’t have the Holy Spirit to teach me, a church to relate to, and the Bible to inform me?
Thanks Ed! I have read a couple of Rob’s books and listened to quite a few sermons. I don’t find him to be a heretic as some claim. I haven’t read his latest book. He always leaves you with questions to ponder…hmmm…much like the Master did. Go figure….
I’m no expert on Rob Bell. but, as Christians, we should all be Bible Scholars. and in that regard, I can say that the Bible, OT and NT, the writers of the gospels, and Jesus himself talked about heaven and hell. so, they must exist. John is very clear when he says we are grafted in and can be cut off and thrown into the fire. it’s a nice idea and not the first time I’ve heard it. as the bible says, it will all be revealed in the end, to the glory of God. but, I do believe there is punishment for the evil doer. I believe we’ll be held accountable, no only for our actions, but for every word that we speak.
May I add a 4th? I never bought a RB book (and have no intention of doing it).
Thanks Ed for a very sensible comment in your Question!Too many are trying to give an opinion, sometime without even reading the author’s work. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Thanks, Joshua. I find myself saying this to Christians more and more lately: Breathe through your nose.
yep, me too. I’m still trying to finish a list of Christian classics.
My personal view is literal hell. My main point is that I have a flock to lead and a community to engage with and I’m just not going to be known by what or who I’m against. Does that make sense, Joe? Or am I full of worms. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
thanks, Vic. Value your input.