I am looking forward to reading it. I am not afraid to read something and then judge the content (not the author) according to Scripture. I think knowing what you believe and why is very important! Many denominations take teachings they have grown up with as part of the 'gospel truth' without looking at it according to Scripture. Some people assume that if they grew up with a certain teaching, it must be true...
Has anyone read the book? Thoughts on the book?
I must admit reading it with preconceived biased against it after reading so many negative reviews. However... I was impressed with all the Scripture references and found myself wondering if some of what he's saying is ,rather than heresy, just a different interpretation than what I always believed.It would certainly be good news and only make me love God more if it is true that He extends His love to everyone, not just a "chosen" few. As long as he believes salvation comes only thru Christ, I can't call him a heretic, even if I don't agree with all his views.
ReplyDeleteI read the book, very interesting. Need time to process it before I can comment more....abut a coupke things: Everything in the book is backed up by Scripture....but sometimes with a fresh interpretation. I don't necessarily agree with every perspective that Rob presents...but I was happy to see that many of my questions and things I was never comfortable with regarding my Faith were addressed in the book. It would be a great book for non-believers who are turned off by Christanity, God, Jesus. This book shows how truly loving God is and offers hope to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Kindle-for-PC copy and easily read it in two sittings... Here are some random thoughts:
ReplyDelete• Written in a style more typical of a teenager; in many ways, it’s just plain Silly…
• Reads more like a long series of “Dear Diary” entries rather than a serious book on Theology
• Bell is wildly irresponsible in his handling of Scriptures, twisting verses and Biblical themes to fit his narrative
• Fails to include other Scriptures that would rebut his arguments
• Dodges serious questions such as, “if a person can CHOOSE to reject God, what is the fate (or state) of their Soul after they’ve died but before they’ve “had their hard hearts melted” by God’s love?”
• The core of his argument in support of “everyone will eventually be reconciled to God” is that the human heart will eventually respond to God’s love if given enough chances and when that love is made clear…
• The book lacks substance: He begins quite a number of sections with “What If” questions, leads the reader past several possible answers, narrows his musings to one of them, and then proceeds as if that answer – merely by being proposed, apparently – has been substantiated
• This is a classic “Social Gospel” book: Heaven and Hell are here and now, we all have the spark of the Divine in us, everyone will respond to God’s love at some point, and God’s love should motivate us to make this world a better place…
• The book uses the word Repentance only once, in passing; the fundamental, orthodox, Christian idea of repenting of one’s Sins, dying to self and rising to new life in Christ – i.e., Transformation – simply doesn’t factor into Bell’s polemic…
Finished the book last night. While it was beautifully written, I do believe this is false teaching. He did use scripture, but only the verses that complimented what he wants to believe. The rest of it he twisted into what he wants it to really say. I was almost in shock at how openly he mocked traditional Christianity at times, and cringed because in moments some statements almost seemed blasphemous, or at least borderline for me. Like I said... beautifully written... he has extreme talent... but I believe not truthful, and I fear will mislead. I hesitated on even sharing my thoughts, but I think the time has come when you have to care enough to stand up against false teaching. Rob Bell needs our prayers... and so does his church.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Jennifer. I was also surprised at the way he mocked traditional Christianity as well. I think Rob Bell has a lot of good teaching about Jewish tradition and challenges people to dig deeper into the Scriptures and think "outside the box" but I feel he has gone too far with this book. I agree, we need to pray for him, his family and his church.
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