Tim Challies has written the first major review of Rob Bell’s book Love Wins. Based on his reading of the entire book, he concludes that Bell is a kind of “Christian Universalist” and that he denies the doctrine of Hell as a place of eternal, conscious punishment. Something tells me this conversation is just getting started.
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Al Mohler on the Rob Bell Flap
Mohler calls Bell’s video a “theological striptease” that deserves a response. From Mohler’s website today: “We must await the release of the full book in order to know what Rob Bell is really saying, but his advance promotion for the book is already saying something, and it is not good. The material he has already put forth does demand and deserve attention. “The Emerging Church movement is known for its slick and sophisticated presentation. It wears irony and condescension as normal attire. Regardless of how Rob Bell’s book turns out, its promotion is the sad equivalent of a theological striptease. “The Gospel is too precious and important to be commodified…
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Rob Bell Outs Himself
False teachers are often described as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Eventually, every wolf loses the disguise. It looks like that is exactly what Rob Bell has done in his new book set to be released next month, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. I have had the opportunity to read the preface and the first couple of chapters, and it appears that Bell has embraced some form of universalism—the belief that every person eventually inherits eternal life. Perhaps he is leaving the door open for some kind of annihilationist perspective. In any case, he has jettisoned the doctrine of hell…
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Addicted to Technology
I’m looking forward to the release of Tim Challies’ new book The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion, which which you can pre-order now from Amazon.com. The publisher Zondervan has put together a video to promote the book, and it lampoons our addiction to technology. I think this is really clever. See above. (HT: Tim Challies)
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The Story of Zac Smith
I want to share with you the story of Zac Smith. He was a devoted husband and a father of three. He recently succumbed to a year and a half long fight against cancer. His testimony from the beginning of his cancer journey is below. His widow’s recent testimony is above. You should watch both of these.
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Politics and Roman Catholicism
Michael Gerson has a thoughtful column in The Washington Post about Roman Catholicism’s impact on American politics. He writes: “There is certainly a distinctive Catholic teaching on politics – a highly developed and coherent tradition that has influenced many non-Catholics, myself included. Human life and dignity, in this view, are primary. The common good takes precedence over selfish interests. Local institutions – families, churches, unions, religious schools – should be respected, not undermined, by government. The justice of a society is measured by its treatment of the poor and vulnerable. “These distinctive commitments have created tensions with liberal Catholic politicians who elevate autonomy and choice as the highest political values…
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Forgiveness
This is a great clip from an old episode of “ER.” It shows the impotency of postmodern/liberal gobbledygook theology. Best line: “I want a real chaplain who believes in a real God and a real hell!… I need answers! And all your questions and uncertainty are making things worse!” (HT: Trevin Wax)
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“Son of God” an Offense to Muslims?
Collin Hansen has an important article in CT on the translation of the phrase “Son of God” in Arabic Bibles. He reports that many Muslims have come to faith in Christ as a result of Arabic Bible translations that avoid the phrase “Son of God.” He also reports that a number of evangelical scholars and missionaries disagree with the aversion towards the ancient Trinitarian moniker (e.g., Jack Collins, Darrell Bock, Vern Poyrthress, and Scott Horrell). I think Robert Yarbrough, however, underscores what is the fundamental difference between Christianity and Islam and on this point. He says,
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Does the Church Know Her Commission?
I have a short article in the latest issue of Tabletalk Magazine. It’s titled “Does the Church Know Her Commission?.” I argue that the Great Commission, “summons us to invite the nations to treasure Christ in such a way that even if they lose everything — even their lives — it is okay so long as they have Him [Matthew 13:44]. That is why making disciples involves not just the entry-level rite of baptism but also the obligation of ‘teaching them to obey all that I commanded you.’ Where this framework is missing, so is the Great Commission.” Do our churches understand that the task of evangelism is the task of…
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Joel Osteen on Homosexuality
The full interview airs tomorrow night, but the video above has a preview. I may have more to say after the full interview, but here are a some of my initial thoughts.