What I’ve been reading…Love Wins by Rob Bell

Let me start by saying I am not on a witch hunt. I did not purchase this book (with one click of a button which caused it then to be downloaded immediately via wifi on my Kindle of which I would encourage anyone to purchase b/c it is an amazing piece of equipment), I repeat, I did not purchase this book to try to start a debate on the teachings of Rob Bell. I got the book for one reason, and one reason alone…I'm concerned for our church. I know this may sound too Biblical, but I take it as my 'job' to guard this flock called Pathway from any false or incorrect doctrine/teaching. I know that many, LIKE MYSELF, have been encouraged by NOOMA video's over the past few years, and they are used in our Life Groups from time to time. So, it was with an open heart that I jumped into this latest book by Rob Bell.

Well…I'm 89% finished with the book…my thoughts in just a few words…WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT'S RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ROB BELL?

Let me start by saying that I never did finish 'Velvet Elvis.' While everyone was ranting and raving about how cool it was, I couldn't get past the first few chapters as his writing/questioning style drives me nuts. What I found in Love Wins is a lot of teaching and Biblical interpretation that is out of the mainstream of traditional/evangelical/Billy Graham/Chuck Swindoll/Charles Stanley like teaching at best, and at worst just plain silly/and incorrect doctrine.

To suggest that there is no door to Heaven or Hell is odd (using a misinterpretation of Rev. 21:25 to suggest such). To infer that if the rich man who asked poor man Lazarus to get him a drink b/c he was being tormented by the flames of Hell, could actually leave Hell and get into Heaven if he were to change his heart is odd. Rob would suggest that this story is more about the heart of the rich man still being tainted, proof being that even in Hell, he demanded the poor servants of the world to serve him (aka Lazurus), than the guy actually being physically thirsty. If this rich man were to change his heart, he could pick up, and move on up to heaven, b/c the door is always open. What? Are you serious?

There is a feeling throughout the whole book of Hell not being fair. I understand what Rob is saying, and I agree that it doesn't seem fair that a dear lady who was beat, molested, raped, left to raise her 4 children, etc. (which seems to be his favorite illustration throughout the book), wouldn't somehow be close to the heart of God, and therefore, it would seem horrible to think that she might spend all of eternity in the same experience she had here on earth, Hell, if she dies without Christ. I agree that it is problematic as to the tribe of some African nation who has yet to hear the name of Jesus, but people die regularly there, so they are left to have a Christless eternity (which I think I may have a further thought on, but I don't care to go into it now). But what about free will? How does this fit into all of this?

Yes, it would be horrible if at the age of 15 I was forced to live without the 2 most meaningful people ever to live in my life (short of now Megan and the girls) b/c a blooming idiot drank and drove…walk through all of the pain and hurt connected with that…allow that to be the defining moment of my life…turn to everything but God…live Hell on earth, only to live Hell in eternity as well! That would be unfair! But, Jesus! At the risk of sounding too Biblical…sorry about that…BUT JESUS! But Jesus reached deep into my heart and took this tragedy and redeemed it! The Bible is clear, from the OT to the NT, everything points to salvation not being through a tragic event, or any other event, but putting your faith in Christ and receiving His grace.

For Rob to suggest that the rich young man could have actually been saved if he would have sold all he had and given it to the poor, is wrong. For him to suggest that this event could have 'saved' him is not only odd, but not at all what the story was saying. These earthly things were getting in the way of the rich young man putting his faith in Christ. He needed to get past this in order to put his faith in Christ. This act of selling it all was not the thing that would have saved him, it would have been the thing that needed to happen for that dude to truly find faith. Rob shares several examples like this that suggest perhaps we can find faith/Jesus in other ways. Never necessarily saying that Jesus isn't the only way, but suggesting there might be other ways to find Him.

I could say a whole lot more, but let me just suggest you be careful not to jump to judgments about Rob Bell, or anyone else for that matter, until you hear it or read it yourself. The main focus on my blog is really the church that I lead, Pathway. I'm sharing my thoughts to inform and lead our congregation correctly, not so much to add to all that's already been said in the blogosphere.

Even in sharing my thoughts on this book and teaching, I encourage you to read Rob Bell's book…read whoever else's stuff…don't be afraid to tackle someone's stuff even if going in to it you are pretty sure you don't agree b/c of what you've heard others say. Come to your own conclusions as you read it, and fight the 'good little Christian' temptations to jump on a sound bite that someone else said about someone. Read it yourself and then make your conclusions. (that's just my thoughts)

I'm not a deep thinker. I'm someone who believes following Christ is a lot easier to understand than we make it sometimes. I'm not a great debater. I invite you to share your thoughts on this post, but know that I'm really not too much for debate.

On this book, and the direction of Rob Bell, my thought is this: Rob is a great communicator. He has the ability to be a great gift to the Christ following community of the world, but I am more than concerned that he has walked away from correct doctrine. I would strongly suggest at this point you thoroughly question every doctrine/scriptural teaching you ever hear from Rob Bell, and any Nooma video you may watch. Just b/c something sounds unique, interesting, 'I've never thought of it that way before,' doesn't' mean it's truth and worth believing. Don't let anyone's natural speaking gift fool you into believing something that is not in line with Scripture. There may be further direction given to our LG leaders at some point, but at this point I strongly encourage you to be diligent in lining anything you watch from Rob Bell up with Scripture and what you know to be correct doctrine.

I conclude with this paragraph from the book that seems to summarize Rob's thoughts nicely:

A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better. It's been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus's message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear.

Comments

[Mark Andreasen]

Sounds like a very solid summary and review Scott! Thank you! I have been intrigued by the attention surrounding this book, and have been wanting to hear some reviews of substance from people who have actually read the book. I have seen some interviews with him about the book that have troubled me, but have not gotten to the book yet. Thanks for your honest response and desire to protect the church from erroneous doctrine. I look forward to reading the book myself.

[Mike Bundy]

Scott - Very well written. I have yet to read the book because I have had reservations about Rob Bell and a few others who have been identified with the "Emerging Church." However, I have read some other books for the very reason you put forth in your blog...to protect my flock at Westside and my Christian friends. Unlike you I do like a spirited debate and I have to put a muzzle on my mouth so I don't spew forth the wrong attitude. Satan's approach with entrenched believers is usually not an overt attack on their faith; it is a subtle misdirection here and there to get our focus off of sound doctrine and the truth that Jesus the truth the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Blessings Brother.

[Scott Miller]

Hey Mark! Great to hear from you! Heard Chad Nelson was with your recently...how about that!

Hey Mike...thanks for the comment...maybe you could handle the debate side of this via your new blog...hah!

[Bill Sines]

We've been talking about this exact thing in our men's breakfast. This is the conclusion I've come to: can you reject Jesus Christ and still go to heaven?

If you deny God's judgment on sin, you completely minimize the cross of Christ. While God's love is seen in the cross, His requirement of holiness and judgment on sin is also seen. If there is no judgment for sin, then why the cross?

[Tam]

My favorite part of this blog post is two words... "But, Jesus!"

[Brian Whidden]

Thanks for the input Scott. I too have not gotten to the book (wish they would quit assigning so many books to read in cohorts...ha ha). However, when I read a review from CT that was saying it was moving to far toward Liberation theology and my opinion of CT is that they are too liberal...well I thought I might have to read this thing.

Thanks again