Reflections on Rob Bell
I must give a warning here, I have not yet read Love Wins, nor is this a response specifically to that book. I must also say that I like Rob Bell. I have watched a number of his Nooma videos and it is very obvious that he has a deep love for God and love for people. While I have wanted to give Rob the benefit of the doubt on his latest book, the quotes I have read and the interviews I have seen with Rob, make me question the direction that he is going.
At the same time, I want to suggest some perspective. Rob Bell is not a theologian. I see people doing what they did with the Shack, attempting to treat this as a serious piece of theology by a professional theologian. I am including in this post an interview with Rob Bell. I have heard a number of evangelicals celebrate that Rob squirms in this interview, when pressed theologically he does not have all the answers. A number of evangelicals have found joy in that Rob Bell struggles here. Do you know what I see? I see a pastor who has caught a glimpse of the love that God has for people, especially the broken and the lost. Rob is convinced that God’s love is the answer to the needs of these hurting people. Rob is attempting to work through the Bible and church history and experience to discover what that looks like. I suspect that his specific answer is unbiblical. However, I also doubt that he is trying to lead people astray or has a secret pact with the devil. Nor do I think that someone will read Love Wins and walk away with the idea that they really don’t need to know Jesus after all. My fear is that the heresy hunters will spend so much time looking for errors that we will all miss what God is saying to us in this controversy. And to my conservative apologetic friends who hate this book so much and have a strong dislike for Rob Bell himself, you have provided free of charge more promotion than Rob Bell could have ever purchased by himself. If we do not want people to read this, we probably should have kept our mouths shut.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vg-qgmJ7nzA]
Thank you – this is the best thing I’ve read on this issue! I’ve been disappointed by some of Rob Bell’s apparent conclusions in his book, but also by the judgmental and at times mean-spirited reaction of evangelical talking heads.
I think it’s reasonable to expect a pastor to BE a theologian. Further, I’m OK with a book getting more publicity because the issue is addressed rather than ignored. Paul didn’t ignore the false teachers of his day, nor should we. In fact, most of our theology is LEARNED through addressing the errors of well meaning teachers who are sincere, but sincerely wrong. The goals: be charitable in interpretation of the teacher, defend the orthodox faith, and be loving in correction.
I have no problem with responding either. I agree that we should never leave the conversation one sided. As long as we realize, we are selling books for Bell. As for being a theologian, I suppose every Christians needs to be a theologian to an extent and pastors more so. However, how many pastors would like to have their sermons analyzed by theologians and biblical scholars each week and how would we do?
Ha! Fair enough. I have a friend who pastors a church of PhDs and I dont envy his email account Mnday morning! However, the problem of evil as articulated in the interview is pretty common. It frustrates me that Christianity had a spotlight, and a chance (regardless of Bells soteriology) to show that our faith is reasonable and has answers. Instead, while every 1st year Seminary student was saying, “yes, softball- hit it out of the park,” Bell avoided the dilemma.
The book is like a Tribble … fuzzy warm, makes a nice ‘cooing’ sound, it multiplies exponentially, and has no substance. Yes, that was a star trek reference 😉 …. I haven’t read the book either, but the trouble regarding this is our response. Rob tries to answer the tough questions that people have, and they have many … what about those that haven’t heard the gospel? How about those with disabilities? I work with people that can’t talk, can’t respond in any ‘normal’ fashion. How about those with mental illnesses? Those stuck in human slavery? People in a circle of abuse? It sounds like he’s tried to wrap everything into a convenient package, as I’ve said I haven’t read his book, but how often do we offer answers in the grey areas of this world? I struggle with these questions myself. People respond to false truth when truth isn’t either present, or convenient. I see this as a challenge to not be caught with our pants down (Eph.6:14) and teach people to think biblically about these issues, which on the whole, the church has done an abysmal work on the whole… but .. that’s just me I guess 😉
Good thoughts. Interesting Star Trek illustration. There is a book in that for you.
alot of good thoughts here, i sure can’t argue, nor do i have the right to critisize, but sure is alot of talk about Bob Bell these days! if we start to nit pick, then we have alot to talk about, but that is not my calling, let me see, now there is Christians United for Israel, ICEJ, Chosen People, Israel My Glory, all that i have an interest in! so, perhaps we should let everyone serve the Lord in the way they see fit! …. and let the Lord be the judge! Blessings!