Rob Bell’s New Book and the Buzz Around It
Posted February 22, 2013
Exploring the Controversy and Questions Surrounding Rob Bell’s Theology
Rob Bell has a new book, and much of Christendom is ready to take up a verbal assault. Many are poised for its release, believing it will mirror Bell’s previous controversial book, “Love Wins“.
However, as with “Love Wins,” a significant portion of Christianity won’t even read the new book. They’ll certainly talk about it! The web will be buzzing with criticism, labelling Bell as having lost his salvation or being a false prophet leading us to the end times.
The Buzz and Controversy
One thing’s for sure: he won’t be too upset. The buzz from anti-Bell supporters will end up selling him a lot of books! But don’t get me wrong; Bell’s theology is indeed unconventional. (To say the least.)
I was one of the Christians who actually read “Love Wins.” You can check out my thoughts in the post: The Importance of Knowing Our Hero and The Villain – June 6th, 2011. I completely disagreed with many of his concepts regarding salvation and the afterlife in general.
Challenging Thoughts and Questions
Despite my opinions on Bell’s theology, “Love Wins” posed some challenging thoughts and, more importantly, some great questions! In fact, the questions Rob Bell continues to raise are ones many believers ask internally but might not pose to their pastors.
Before diving into a discussion on Bell’s newest book, check out some info about “What We Talk About When We Talk About God” to be released on March 12, 2013.
As you can see, once again, Rob seems somewhat strange in his delivery, but the concept for the book seemed pretty straightforward to me. If I’m honest, it sounded quite interesting. It almost sounds like this is the book that Bell should have released before or instead of “Love Wins.”
What Does Christianity Do with Rob Bell?
Currently, Rob Bell’s journey is marked by popularity, which can be a problematic combination. Personally, I believe he’s leading quite a few Christians astray in some areas. He’ll have to answer for that, I am sure. Or maybe he’ll have a revelation and a turnaround?
Nevertheless, if his followers have the Holy Spirit, they’re either going to ask him for clarification or make it to heaven in ignorant bliss. So, in the end, “God Wins.”
I believe Rob Bell is a confused spiritual leader who is searching for truth, just like many of us. I have known believers who support his theology and some who support even stranger theology. That being said, in their heart of hearts, they love Jesus.
What About Rob Bell?
What do we do with Rob Bell? Well, I’ve followed him from his earliest publications, and I really do believe he loves Jesus too. I’m just not sure he’s headed in the right direction, nor leading people in the right direction.
I will likely be buying the book and reading it, then forming my opinion. For those of you interested in my opinion, you can always click the “FOLLOW” link at the bottom of this post and receive future updates via email or RSS.
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- Did you read “Love Wins” by Rob Bell?
- Will you read Rob Bell’s newest book?
- What are your thoughts on his theology?
Thanks Jeremy for being willing to be honest …. I love the old fashioned phrase you hear in the movies when someone is sworn into the witness stand “do you swear to tel
l the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth” Rob Bell’s book Love Wins contains truth about God … just not the whole truth …. I liked the book …. and I look forward to this one …. if we all could be honest with ourselves we would have to admit none of us know all the truth, we are all on a journey to discover truth, and as weird as some of Rob Bell’s thoughts are in this one area, have you ever stopped to listen to some of the odd concepts and beliefs about God and who He is and how He works from the average person in the pew ??… sometimes it seems like we are talking about two different God’s ?? I love the title of the book “Love Wins” …. it really will …. God is Love …. lets be sure when we speak about one of his children and their struggle to understand their journey that we are speaking the truth in love.
Thanks taking the time to leave your thoughts! When I was first entering into ministry, I was very insecure and forced my views onto people who threw out questions surrounding how God works.
It took some serious work in my heart, before I could let my pride accept that people are aloud to ask questions; regardless of their theological significance. Asking a question shouldn’t be viewed as sinful. I missed that for many years.
Thanks again for supporting my writing! – Jeremy
Sorry I posted anonymously and I didn’t mean to…. I don’t like anonymous posts …. they offer no opportunity for dialogue ??
Ha! I never knew it was you, Dave! Hilarious!
I’m one of the ones who has read two of his books (love wins, and Velvet Elvis, and I really really struggle with almost everything Rob Bell says (obviously there is much that we can all agree with howver, I find more of it disturbing than agreeable).
If I’m honest I think he is not for God, and the verses in John 8 (around :40 and on) explain my beliefs on Rob… However I do appreciate the idea of asking questions when they are followed up by looking into TRUTH for the answers. God’s word is Truth, that’s it. Men fail. they are broken, cursed, deceitful, fallen detestable failures. I can’t trust one man’s opinion over another, even if they are in the pew beside me, usually I can’t even trust my own. That is why I go back to the Word of God. Never failing, always true. That gives me an amazing peace in this world full of Olsteens, and Bells, even Spurgon or Piper (of whom both I love) If their message, or words don’t align with the Word of God then it is nothing more than just their words, the words of a fallen man.
God moves us though doesn’t he?! And Jere as a writer you know that you are moved to pen things by more than just your own thoughts. My thoughts are His and my ways are His ways (that’s my hope). When I finished my book this year I spent months praying over it, going over it, making sure that my concepts and thoughts and word/sentences/paragraphs where nothing more than a new or different lens to see His original never failing never ending truths. (i just wrote a blog on this called Charlie’s Mountain http://www.marshalburnham.wordpress.com has it there somewhere) I didn’t end there. I sought after men of God to challenge and test me, to read it and question it, and many times I had to re write and question what my purpose was here or there and did it align with the personality and truth of God as revealed through His word
My favorite part of this great post was the line GOD WINS… Yes God is Love, but humans have distorted love so greatly that they don’t even understand that discipline is love, pain can be love as much as grace and forgiveness. Love has failed me, people have failed me, and justice has failed me. GOD has NEVER failed me (even If at times I think he has)… God wins. Love AGAPE wins
Thanks Marshal for your comment, as well as that great post on Christ being a beautiful, immovable mountain in our lives. Good stuff!
God’s constant love, poured out at the cross and completed with the empty tomb; should be recognised each and every day of our lives.
Thanks again for taking time out of your busy day to post your thoughts!
Peace,
Jeremy
I gotta add one thing… and It’s just a note of caution, that I’m not giving but the bible gives. and it is response to the line in this post that says ” I have known Believers who support his theology and some, supporting even stranger theology. This being said, in their heart of hearts, they love Jesus.”
1) Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead (1 Timothy 4)
2) My dear friends, many false prophets have gone out into the world. So do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. This is how you can know God’s Spirit: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human is from God. And every spirit who refuses to say this about Jesus is not from God. It is the spirit of the enemy of Christ, which you have heard is coming, and now he is already in the world. My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world. And they belong to the world, so what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. But those who are not from God do not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit that is true and the spirit that is false. (1 John 4)
3) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Ac. 20:29-31).
These and many warn us that people will come to steer us from the truth. Rob claims many anti-jesus things. He speaks directly against the truth of Hell that Jesus proclaims, he speaks about the possibility of there not being a virgin birth, or Jesus not necessarily “walking on water”. He speaks of ALL men going to heaven… Speaking against Jesus is not Love for Jesus. Taking our ideas of what God SHOULD be like and forcing that in to the Word to make it legitimate is not of God… that’s a warning to myself as well. These are warnings from God… we need to keep being attentive to what the scripts say and who they warn us of… having his own show with Oprah and getting rave reviews by secular scholars is not exactly the “being hated for loving Christ” that Jesus warned us of…
not saying he is a false teacher, but knowing that a lot of the doctrine he teaches is Anti-biblical, and even his own personal answers to massive life questions are clearly un-christian (see his interview with Oprah) we can’t be blind, but we need to be vigilant.
Thanks for taking the time to put down your thought Marshal. Lots of great stuff in here.
I think I should clarify. I agree with you that Rob Bell has turned into a false prophet. It amazes me sometimes, considering his earlier years. Nevertheless, he has drifted into stormy waters to be sure.
Again, my statement was, “I have known Believers who support his theology and some, supporting even stranger theology. This being said, in their heart of hearts, they love Jesus.”
I am referring to those who read Bell’s work and like it. Not Bell himself. I have met a couple of people who entertain some of his (false) doctrine, yet they still have an intimate relationships with Jesus.
Now, do I think they’re headed down a tough road? Absolutely! I just wouldn’t strike their names from Lamb’s Book of Life, just because they’re pulled by Rob Bell.
Thanks again, for taking so much time to work through this!
Peace,
Jeremy