Comments on: An Unbiblical “Gospel” in Rob Bell’s NOOMA Videos? http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/ A commentary on theology, politics, and culture Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:07:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brandon http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-61976 Brandon Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:59:48 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-61976 Mark 9:14-19 Jesus comes down from a montain top experience with a few of his disciples and finds the others arguing when he arrives. He calls them an unbelieving generation. Does this speak to us? We spend to much time arguing over things that don't really matter do they? Mark 9:14-19
Jesus comes down from a montain top experience with a few of his disciples and finds the others arguing when he arrives. He calls them an unbelieving generation. Does this speak to us? We spend to much time arguing over things that don’t really matter do they?

]]> By: Devin http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-48472 Devin Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:01:48 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-48472 Having just read the critique of the NOOMA series, I would have to agree with Greg Gilbert that it isn't often that Rob Bell doesn't mention 'resurrection', 'the cross', 'salvation', etc. However, I disagree on how dangerous that supposedly is. Bell addresses where people are in life, and tells them how God sees the situation, how Jesus will get us through, (which is by the way salvation) and how these experiences are used for God's glory. In no way are these teachings un-biblical. Bell reaches people on a practical level which teaches the values of Christ's lessons for daily living. This not only ministers to the 'seekers' but to Christians as well. After all we all are supposed to seek God, and nobody will every be perfect in this life, though it is our desire to do so. The fact that NOOMA doesn't talk about 'the sheep and goats' is irrelevant because that sermon is designed specifically to deal with people who are aware of the ways of God, yet refuse to live them. NOOMA is not an aggressive-corrective series, it is not meant to 'spank' the audience, which the sermon about sheep and goats is. Lastly, the issue of 'the cross', and I don't mean to sound heretical, but what is the importance of the cross? It is the means that Christ died, but the manner, so if he had of come in medieval times it would have been the wheel. To anyone who can comprehend these movies, it is already given that Christ was crucified for our sins and rose again, whether they believe it or not. These movies should not be looked at as a gospel, but as a tool. THE BIBLE is THE Gospel, and everything else just emphasizes certain points. NOOMA is a good tool for Christian growth but in no way is it meant to replace the word of God. If you want to think about using this as your main means of theology, you have much bigger issues then are addressed here. Having just read the critique of the NOOMA series, I would have to agree with Greg Gilbert that it isn’t often that Rob Bell doesn’t mention ‘resurrection’, ‘the cross’, ‘salvation’, etc. However, I disagree on how dangerous that supposedly is. Bell addresses where people are in life, and tells them how God sees the situation, how Jesus will get us through, (which is by the way salvation) and how these experiences are used for God’s glory. In no way are these teachings un-biblical. Bell reaches people on a practical level which teaches the values of Christ’s lessons for daily living. This not only ministers to the ‘seekers’ but to Christians as well. After all we all are supposed to seek God, and nobody will every be perfect in this life, though it is our desire to do so. The fact that NOOMA doesn’t talk about ‘the sheep and goats’ is irrelevant because that sermon is designed specifically to deal with people who are aware of the ways of God, yet refuse to live them. NOOMA is not an aggressive-corrective series, it is not meant to ‘spank’ the audience, which the sermon about sheep and goats is. Lastly, the issue of ‘the cross’, and I don’t mean to sound heretical, but what is the importance of the cross? It is the means that Christ died, but the manner, so if he had of come in medieval times it would have been the wheel. To anyone who can comprehend these movies, it is already given that Christ was crucified for our sins and rose again, whether they believe it or not. These movies should not be looked at as a gospel, but as a tool. THE BIBLE is THE Gospel, and everything else just emphasizes certain points. NOOMA is a good tool for Christian growth but in no way is it meant to replace the word of God. If you want to think about using this as your main means of theology, you have much bigger issues then are addressed here.

]]> By: Zach http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-33194 Zach Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:25:27 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-33194 I got to give props to John on the scripture use. Everything we say and do should bring God glory, even in the little things (1 Cor 10:31). I am a youth minister, and what we teach our future leaders is important. Constantly our students are encouraged to put to test everything they hear out of a teacher of the Word, (1 John 4:1-6). Also when I started in ministry a few years ago I bought all the new Nooma videos, and thought they were good, only to find out by more study, that they were taking away from the gospel. We can't strap ourselves to the gospel, we are not the gospel. This quote was taken from a Casting Crowns CD, the reason for this song title, "What this World Needs", from the Altar and the Door CD is this, "Galatians is the main basis for this song. False teachers were slipping in and adding to the Gospel. Jesus + being good = The beleiver's life. Paul builds in a foundation for the Galatians people that it is by faith in Jesus that we are saved. Even today, we, the church, are in danger of adding to the Gospel. Jesus plus my denomination. Jesus plus our style of worship. Jesus plus our good behavior. We must be careful not to strap ourselves to the gospel". The scriptures to back this quote up are: 2 Cor 6:3-13/ Col 1:13-23/ John 17/ Matt 7:1-3/ John 7:24/ Romans 16:17-19/ Phil 3:18-20. I encourage everyone who reads this to look up these scriptures. Also for you youth leaders, or just those interested in the slipping away of our youth, I encourage you to read a book titled "Decide For Yourself reThink is Student Ministry Working? By Steve Wright, check out his ministries web site at http://www.inquest.org/, and also check this guy out doing what we should all do, by checking Rob Bell's stuff with Scripture http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8wSAEezBc3s. Let's not argue among ourselves brothers and sisters, but check ourselves with The Word, because that is the only thing that matters when it comes down to it, being biblical and living for Jesus. With love, May the Lord bless you and keep you. I got to give props to John on the scripture use. Everything we say and do should bring God glory, even in the little things (1 Cor 10:31). I am a youth minister, and what we teach our future leaders is important. Constantly our students are encouraged to put to test everything they hear out of a teacher of the Word, (1 John 4:1-6). Also when I started in ministry a few years ago I bought all the new Nooma videos, and thought they were good, only to find out by more study, that they were taking away from the gospel. We can’t strap ourselves to the gospel, we are not the gospel. This quote was taken from a Casting Crowns CD, the reason for this song title, “What this World Needs”, from the Altar and the Door CD is this, “Galatians is the main basis for this song. False teachers were slipping in and adding to the Gospel. Jesus + being good = The beleiver’s life. Paul builds in a foundation for the Galatians people that it is by faith in Jesus that we are saved. Even today, we, the church, are in danger of adding to the Gospel. Jesus plus my denomination. Jesus plus our style of worship. Jesus plus our good behavior. We must be careful not to strap ourselves to the gospel”. The scriptures to back this quote up are: 2 Cor 6:3-13/ Col 1:13-23/ John 17/ Matt 7:1-3/ John 7:24/ Romans 16:17-19/ Phil 3:18-20. I encourage everyone who reads this to look up these scriptures. Also for you youth leaders, or just those interested in the slipping away of our youth, I encourage you to read a book titled “Decide For Yourself reThink is Student Ministry Working? By Steve Wright, check out his ministries web site at http://www.inquest.org/, and also check this guy out doing what we should all do, by checking Rob Bell’s stuff with Scripture http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8wSAEezBc3s. Let’s not argue among ourselves brothers and sisters, but check ourselves with The Word, because that is the only thing that matters when it comes down to it, being biblical and living for Jesus. With love, May the Lord bless you and keep you.

]]> By: Matt http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-32805 Matt Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:21:00 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-32805 Yes quite Heather. See http://www.marshill.org/pdf/narrativeTheology.pdf Trinity...check. Christ died / resurrected etc...check. Seems pretty solid stuff to me. Yes quite Heather.
See http://www.marshill.org/pdf/narrativeTheology.pdf

Trinity…check.
Christ died / resurrected etc…check.
Seems pretty solid stuff to me.

]]> By: Heather http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-32159 Heather Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:33:13 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-32159 Ok, so I have done some more research on this Rob Bell guy. While his videos seem fairly harmless and can indeed be used in some format of teaching the truth of God's word, Rob himself and his church are indeed blinded. No where on their church website do they mention believing in the Trinity and that Christ died for our sins and that He rose again to be with God at His right hand. That alone is VERY Alarming!!!! I do believe that we need to be careful of who we choose to endorse in our Churches and our Christian book stores/retailers. I do hope that we as a whole will choose to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when something doesn't quite feel right and become more active in persuing the only real Truth. Heather Ok, so I have done some more research on this Rob Bell guy.

While his videos seem fairly harmless and can indeed be used in some format of teaching the truth of God’s word, Rob himself and his church are indeed blinded.

No where on their church website do they mention believing in the Trinity and that Christ died for our sins and that He rose again to be with God at His right hand.

That alone is VERY Alarming!!!!

I do believe that we need to be careful of who we choose to endorse in our Churches and our Christian book stores/retailers. I do hope that we as a whole will choose to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when something doesn’t quite feel right and become more active in persuing the only real Truth.

Heather

]]> By: Heather http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-32144 Heather Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:54:48 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-32144 I have a couple of general comments to make: 1st- I think everyone is taking these videos WAY too litteral. These videos are meant to be like an anecdotable parable. Jesus used parables ALL the time so that we simple minded humans could understand the complexity of who God is as well as His love for us. If society wasn't so "technologically" minded we wouldn't even have to go this far with trying to reach the lost. 2nd- Since when is Christianity only about the crusifixion, death, and rising of Jesus? If that is what you make of it then you are worshipping Jesus and NOT God the Father. Christianity is becoming a CHILD of God just as Jesus is. We are co-heirs with Christ not proclaimers of His death only. Christianity is about becoming in a relationship with Christ as our brother and God as our Father which is why Bell uses his own son as an example; Because our earthly relationships are only a small taste of what we can have with God, we as human can identify with that and comprehend that so much more easily than that of only an intimate relationship with God. 3rd- Has anyone actually stopped to think that all the contoversy itself is from the enemy and not Bell or his videos? The enemy is indeed gaining wisdom and we ourselves our becoming very blind to his tricks. I think that these videos could actually be onto something and that satan is trying to deture us from using them because they WILL indeed bring people, especially our teens, closer to God? At this time, from these three videos above that i did completely view, I do not see any mega harm behind them. No one person however should be their only source of preaching/teaching. The only TRUE gospel is the GOSPEL itself and until we as people are determined enough to dig in and let the Holy Spirit enlighten us as to what the Word of God DOES indeed say, then we have no right to even make statements against one of His Teachers! In God's Service, Heather I have a couple of general comments to make:

1st- I think everyone is taking these videos WAY too litteral. These videos are meant to be like an anecdotable parable. Jesus used parables ALL the time so that we simple minded humans could understand the complexity of who God is as well as His love for us. If society wasn’t so “technologically” minded we wouldn’t even have to go this far with trying to reach the lost.

2nd- Since when is Christianity only about the crusifixion, death, and rising of Jesus? If that is what you make of it then you are worshipping Jesus and NOT God the Father. Christianity is becoming a CHILD of God just as Jesus is. We are co-heirs with Christ not proclaimers of His death only. Christianity is about becoming in a relationship with Christ as our brother and God as our Father which is why Bell uses his own son as an example; Because our earthly relationships are only a small taste of what we can have with God, we as human can identify with that and comprehend that so much more easily than that of only an intimate relationship with God.

3rd- Has anyone actually stopped to think that all the contoversy itself is from the enemy and not Bell or his videos? The enemy is indeed gaining wisdom and we ourselves our becoming very blind to his tricks. I think that these videos could actually be onto something and that satan is trying to deture us from using them because they WILL indeed bring people, especially our teens, closer to God?

At this time, from these three videos above that i did completely view, I do not see any mega harm behind them. No one person however should be their only source of preaching/teaching. The only TRUE gospel is the GOSPEL itself and until we as people are determined enough to dig in and let the Holy Spirit enlighten us as to what the Word of God DOES indeed say, then we have no right to even make statements against one of His Teachers!

In God’s Service,
Heather

]]> By: Lucas Knisely http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-31105 Lucas Knisely Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:28:59 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-31105 Brett, Provide some examples please. If not, you wrongfully slandered me. Brett,

Provide some examples please. If not, you wrongfully slandered me.

]]> By: Paul http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-31092 Paul Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:09:47 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-31092 Rob Bell, as well as both the new and old perspectives on Paul, would all love my CD. (sorry, gotta do something to break up the dismal mood in this thread...) Rob Bell, as well as both the new and old perspectives on Paul, would all love my CD.

(sorry, gotta do something to break up the dismal mood in this thread…)

]]> By: Brett http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-31060 Brett Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:52:41 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-31060 Nothing short of what you do every time you type something. Guess we can add hypocrisy now! Nothing short of what you do every time you type something. Guess we can add hypocrisy now!

]]> By: Lucas Knisely http://www.dennyburk.com/an-unbiblical-%e2%80%9cgospel%e2%80%9d-in-rob-bell%e2%80%99s-nooma-videos/#comment-31056 Lucas Knisely Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:55:20 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=1358#comment-31056 Labeling, reductionism, and sweeping generalizations. Bravo. Labeling, reductionism, and sweeping generalizations.

Bravo.

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