I've watched the Brashir interview (http://bit.ly/fGPBzm), the much longer interview in New York
(http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/03/rob_bell_on_uni.html); I've read critiques by people who have read the book
(http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/, http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/love-wins-a-review-of-rob-bells-new-book, http://www.dennyburk.com/revising-hell-into-the-heterodox-mainstream/ - they are all negative, seem fair, and are persuasive) and a few things occur to me:
1) Rob Bell just doesn't think like most of us
2) His presentation is very attractive to those not committed to Christ
3) He absolutely refuses to be fit in a box
4) He does a lot of "deconstruction" of Bible, words, and ideas
5) He seems to put up a lot of "straw man" characterizations of things like God, heaven, hell, etc.
6) I am personally concerned about several of his statements that seem vastly different from the plain meaning of the Biblical text
7) He has a propensity for not answering the questions that are asked. I'm very familiar with this in the political arena but am personally very uncomfortable with this in the arena of theology.
8) Finally, let's say - for the sake of argument - that Bell is wrong on his view of heaven and hell. Yet those who have been at his church (people I personally know and trust) say that he is very good on other doctrines. If he is wrong on one thing then, it seems to me, he ought to be confronted on that thing. There are critiques out there that are 'out of scope.'
However, do not misunderstand me: if he is wrong, it is completely appropriate to criticize what he is saying.
3 comments:
Eric,
I was reading another interview he has given other day. He very disingeneous. Your observations and comments are on the mark. I am very comfortable with those concerns and comments. Bible is not 95% correct. Either 100% or none. His wishy-washy attitude towards Bible will earn him some brownie points with the world and media, but he will loose his rewards in heaven.
Keep writing and keep serving. I thank the Lord for you.
P.Joseph Raju
Did you see the WSJ article on Bell? I found it very troubling. Bell's assertions sound like universalism to me.
Ryan Nelson
Enjoyed your comments. Criticize, but don't demonize - good critique, hard critique is important and when done in love can be a discussion that educates both believers and unbelievers alike.
As you know, Bell says things that sometimes make me cringe. Other times he is extremely helpful.
Thanks for the good word.
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