There is a major buzz taking place in the Christian community (as well as the world at large - thanks to an appearance on GMA this week) over the new book by noted author and pastor of Mars Hill Church - Rob Bell. The book is called Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Many believe the book endorses Universalism (The theory that everyone will ultimately end up in heaven.) I haven't read the book and I probably won't line Bell's pockets with my money. I have read enough reviews and have heard enough of Bell's interviews and videos promoting the book to get a pretty good take on what he's doing. I have yet to hear him say that he doesn't believe hell exists or that he is a Universalist. What he does is raise questions and then leaves them unanswered. What he does is take scripture out of context and misapplies it. In fact it appears as though he takes great joy in doing so. And it is a morally reprehensible thing to do!
You see, this world is looking for answers! For me, that's what the Bible is - It's an answer book. I'm not saying it answers all my questions, but it answers the ones that truly matter. To undermine that and rob (no pun intended) people with serious questions about life, death and eternity of the certainties God has provided is inexcusable. It may sell books, and it may pack out auditoriums but it blatantly disregards many of God's direct commands!
Titus 3:9-11, But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
God's Word makes it clear that Satan is the author of confusion. It seems he has enlisted the help of one of the most gifted communicators of our time to write what promises to be one of the best sellers of confusion that's come along in quite a while!
Titus 3:9-11, But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
God's Word makes it clear that Satan is the author of confusion. It seems he has enlisted the help of one of the most gifted communicators of our time to write what promises to be one of the best sellers of confusion that's come along in quite a while!
Truth, Truth, Preach it P. Jeff. Luv ya sir!!!
ReplyDeleteI want to tread lightly here because you obviously have a strong opinion about this, but with all due respect, I thoroughly disagree with you on this one, Pastor Jeff.
ReplyDeleteYou're saying that it's morally reprehensible to ask questions and leave them unanswered, but personally I think it's much worse to make the Bible out to be more simple and clear than it really is. When it comes to Hell and final judgment, I really believe that the Scriptures are much more ambiguous than many Christians over the years have made them out to be.
In fact, it seems to me that one of the surest things Jesus taught was that there would be plenty of surprises when we see who is included in the Kingdom and who will be excluded. (Matthew 25:31-46 for example)
It's so true that God is not the author of confusion; however, he IS much, much bigger than our theologies can ever convey. That fact alone can naturally lead to confusion as we struggle to understand God with our finite minds.
I wouldn't say that Bell is engineering confusion. He is inviting us to think more deeply about the Scriptures and how we interpret them.
Also, it seems like you may be yourself misapplying the phrase "author of confusion." That verse comes from the KJV of 1 Cor. 14:33, but that passage isn't even talking about doctrine but orderly worship. The NIV puts it as "God is not a God of disorder but of peace."
Again another person to condemn bell without reading what he's written. Piper already did that. You could buy a used book, then bell wont get a nickel of your money and you'll be a better informed critic.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiment when I watched the MSNBC interview was....the enemy is working here....
ReplyDeletePraying for him none the less.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments. I am debating buying his book. Not that I endorse his book or theology, but so I can dialogue with others intelligently. Not sure yet. I have been asked before about "do I really think there is one way to heaven?". My answer is "why is there any way to heaven after what man did to God's Son, Jesus?' The way to heaven is for all but not all will take. The road is paved with a horrible crucifixion. The thought that all will go to heaven is not Biblical.
ReplyDeleteI agree - saw an article on him on the New York Times, I used to love his messages and books, don't know what happened.... sad.
ReplyDelete"Confusion" is right. Good post Pastor Jeff, I couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteTo promote honest seeking (i.e. knowing what you believe and not letting someone else dictate your beliefs) is one thing; promoting out-and-out doubt is another. The book of James is veeeery specific on "the man who doubts"
ReplyDeleteDo people think God to be so Schizo, He would send His Son, to be Brutally murdered so man could come to God... then allow man to invent his own path to God?
ReplyDeleteYeah. That was perfect. Thanks for articulating what many are feeling concerning this issue! I love the Nooma videos (great discussion startes), but this whole thing just sits wrong with me...
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am reserving judgement until I've heard what Charlie Sheen has to say.
ReplyDeleteVery tasteful disagreement Jeff. Rob has always raised more questions than answers.
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