TIME magazine’s cover story this week is about Rob Bell’s book Love Wins. Here is John Meacham’s one line explanation of what the fuss is about:
“[Bell] suggests that the redemptive work of Jesus may be universal — meaning that, as his book’s subtitle puts it, ‘every person who ever lived’ could have a place in heaven, whatever that turns out to be.”
Every year during Easter season, the news weeklies like to feature stories that tweak traditional Christian belief (for example, The Gospel of Judas, the tomb of Jesus, etc.). For these publications, Holy Week has become heresy week. I think it says something that Bell’s book has now taken a place next to these kinds of stories.
For those who are just joining this conversation and perhaps are wondering what to make of Bell’s book, let me point you to some resources that have come out over the last month or so. I wrote an extensive review of Bell’s book last month, and you can read it here. I think, however, that the definitive review of this book has been written by Kevin DeYoung. If you only have time to read one review, read his.
Southern Seminary hosted a panel discussion of the book last month, and you can watch it below:
The Gospel Coalition also hosted a panel discussion this morning that was fantastic. I highly recommend it as well. Download it here, or listen below.
[audio:http://tgc-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/2011-conference/sessionpanel_lovewins.mp3]
20 Comments
Donald Johnson
I thought the article was well-written by a guy who knows his stuff.
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Bell PR Firm
Dear Calvinists:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rob Bell’s PR Firm
PS: If there is anything else you can do to get Bell more publicity, we would appreciate it!
yankeegospelgirl
Meh. I was unimpressed by the article. Obviously just a liberal playing along.
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Darius
Agree with Yankeegg… the writer showed some clear biases throughout. As a friend of mine put it, TIME was trying to decide between “Is Hell Dead?” and “Is TIME Dead?” and realized that the latter question is no longer on people’s minds.
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Dillon
I thought the article was fairly interesting until I read on page 3
” Like the Bible — a document that often contradicts itself ”
Funny, well not funny, you know what I mean, I should be listening to James Macdonald – What’s Down with Hell – as I post this.
Good sermon!
http://jamesmacdonald.com/blog/
Bell PR Firm
No worries Darius.
Nobody reads Time anyway.
Darius
Exactly, PR Firm.
donsands
Kevin’s an excellent pastor. His review is excellente!
I borrow some of this for my blog, if you don’t mind. Got to keep getting the truth out. I’m glad Bell has revealed his heart. It shows our hearts as well, doesn’t it. If we really love the Word and God’s truth, or if simply love the love that we love; that human affectionate thing.
Marcus
We talk so much about “God’s Wrath.” Like it is this horrific massive thing. But really, the greatest wrath is described in Romans. God releasing man to his desire to dwell in sin and invent to ways to sin.
This video is a horrible representation of Christians. A bunch of erogant dudes who hear something different and attack instead of reflect. They give no biblical foundation of what they believe. Rather they assume they are right and see the Bible perfectly. And anything said to question what they think they say is to question “God.” When one does that, they are elevating themselves to that as equivelant to God.
I believe thses dudes love Jesus and have relationship with Him.
The problem we all have is the more we learn, the more we think others are wrong and soon we find ourselves with harsh judgement to others.
They quoted 2 Corinthians 2. They forgot about this part of the chapter, verse 16 “We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way.”
Rob Bell declaired he cannot determin what the afterlife looks likes. What he can do is say maybe it’s not just what traditional evangelicalist believe. I feel like that is what he is doing. But it sure is easy to take one paragraph or one chapter and declair him a spawn of Satan!!!
Christiane
“God is love” seems to be as offensive to as many people as ‘God is a god of wrath’.
What’s going on ???
donsands
“Rob Bell declaired he cannot determin what the afterlife looks likes.” -Marcus
He teaches a lot more doctrine than this my friend.
I’d encourage you to go and read Kevin DeYoung’s review, and then come back and let us know what you think.
Have a blessed weekend and Lord’s day.
yankeegospelgirl
“This video is a horrible representation of Christians. A bunch of erogant dudes who hear something different and attack instead of reflect. They give no biblical foundation of what they believe.”
Obviously you did not watch the video, or if you did, you watched it through the filter of your own agenda. Sounds judgmental to me.
RobH
Sorry to say — it’s “news weeklies” not “news weekly’s.” Unless of course you’re making a pun?
Murf
Thank you Dillon, for reminding me of this sentence in the article.
â€Like the Bible — a document that often contradicts itself.â€
SO much wrong with that statement.
I now have some tackling fuel for my own blog.
(That way I don’t slam Denny’s with long posts!)
Ron Tester
You write: “I think it says something that Bell’s book has now taken a place next to these kinds of stories.” I think it says something about you that you would imply guilt by association.
Oh-Jay Lackmon-Bay
Rob Bell has done a great service to the church. He has made it easier to tell the difference between pretend christians and real Christians. All Christians recognize Bell is a false teacher and acknowledge he is a heretic. Pretend christians, on the other hand, support Rob Bell, his heresy, and attack those who preach the true gospel.
Thank you, Rob Bell. Picking out pretend christians has never been easier.
susan
Denny-hello!
the best work on Hell that I have come across:
“The River of Fire: A reply to the questions: Is God really good? Did God create Hell?” by Dr. Alexandre Kalomiros, available from http://www.stnectariospress.com