Posted on June 6, 2011.

There has been a lot of controversy about Rob Bell’s new title “Love Wins“. Many a believer has been up in arms at the thoughts surrounding Mr. Bell’s statements and insinuations, resulting in the reader questioning whether or not Bell believes in Hell and or the ruler of Hell, Satan.

My wife and I finished Love Wins about a month ago, but I have struggled to put my opinions record.

• Do I believe he’s mistaken?  Yes, I think he is.
• Do I believe he’s walking the line of false teaching?  Yes, I think he is.
• Am I ready to cut him out of Christendom and wait for him to start some commune in Waco, TX?  No, I am not.

I believe Rob Bell is a man who loves God intimately and though I would not be willing to follow his teaching at this point, I have faith in where he has been. I believe that he does have the Holy Spirit, as seen in his many works prior to Love Wins.

I also believe in God’s sovereign hand in training and teaching each of us.

Rob Bell’s Walk

For some reason, God has allowed him to stray from a few foundations of the Christian faith at this time. I can not presume to understand what journey Mr. Bell is on, but I am sure that God will bring him back around at the right time.

All this being said, I am sure you’re wondering why now? Why did it take me this long to form response on Love Wins? Simply put, it took John Eldredge to help me address Rob Bell.

“Epic” by John Eldridge

Last night, our youth group started John Eldredge’s “Epic” DVD series.  In Epic, Eldredge talks about the amazing story that we have been brought into as Believers of the Christian faith. By putting our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are not simply entering into a list of religious math equations for a good life.

In reality, we’re entering into a fantastic adventure!  And this adventure is the one from which all other adventures stem! It holds the key components of all great stories that have ever been told. It holds all the core desires for us as human beings. It is encompassing yet infinite, personal yet global, it’s Epic!

Back To Rob Bell

To bring this back to Rob Bell and Love Wins, I fear that with all this love winning, Bell has missed a key part of our Epic. Before man ever walked this earth, one angel more beautiful and powerful than all others took a turn to darkness. He had one of the most prize positions in the heavenly realms, yet it was not enough to satisfy his desire for power. This angel was Lucifer or known better as Satan, and he is the Villain of our Epic.

As I listened to John Eldredge trying to comprehend a third of all angels rebelling against God, I experienced such a rush of truth that I physically felt it in my gut!

• What is this great story all about?
• What is this fantastic adventure worth?

Where does this incredible journey across time and space lead to, without this Villain and the dark realm prepared for him and his followers? If there is no eternal consequence for joining in this rebelling, then why avoid it?

Intrinsically more important and moving past simple avoidance, what is the eternal outcome of actively striving to rebel against this dark rebellion? In short, without this Villain and his dark realm, what does following this Gospel of our Hero (Jesus Christ) and his realm of light really avail?

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

• How is your story being affected by our Hero and the Villain?