March 25, 2011 by Allen Coleman 0 comments

Posted in: Review - Book

First, if you are unaware of what's been happening. I encourage you to start with this timeline.

Let me begin by saying that for many years, albeit early on in my faith, Rob Bell influenced me in countless ways. Bell helped me put my arms around something that I had suspected: That this story is big. REALLY big. Bigger than I gave credit for as a thorough-going pagan. I think many people in my age bracket were introduced to Rob Bell just before the peak of his notoriety. His speaking charisma was infectious and he seemed to bring the Bible (particularly the Hebrew scriptures) to life in a way very few were doing at that time.

I met Jesus in a Willow Creek Association Church. It was at the 2003 Student Ministries Conference hosted by Willow Creek Church in Chicago that I was first introduced to Bell. He spoke on "Unveiling the Mysteries of God's Truth". He exhorted us as Youth Pastors to lead ministries that were fascinated by the word of God, rather than merely communicating facts. In short, Bell helped me to fall in love with the Bible (the irony is almost comical). Bell became endorsed by many orthodox leadership movements and was soon speaking at many of the youth ministry conferences I was at. Then, as a church planter in 2004, I noticed that Bell had been picked up by the Catalyst movement and was soon influencing Lead Pastors everywhere through Andy Stanley's network of leaders.

Then, things changed for me. In 2005, "Velvet Elvis" was released.

I wasn't privy to the rumblings that had already been happening within Evangelicalism. I had to figure this out for myself. As Bell began to write books for the first time and my exposure to him on the conference speaking tour decreased, I became more and more suspect of the things he was communicating. This, coupled with my increased understanding of the Gospel of the Bible, created all sorts of tension for me. Trying to give Bell the benefit of the doubt, I was deeply conflicted as I tried to understand the things he was seemingly advocating. He continually seemed to be challenging imperative doctrines from the virgin birth of Jesus to, now, the clear biblical doctrines of heaven and hell.

Friends, peers and pastors were describing Bell's insights as "refreshing" and "new". I, on the other-hand, found myself asking questions like:

"Can centuries of creeds & confessions really be wrong?"

"Did the early church fathers really miss the mark?"

Now, creeds are not Scripture and Augustine is not Jesus. Regardless, shouldn't they be considered carefully as helpful guides in affirming doctrine? In short, I started to see Bell as threat to the Gospel rather than a proponent. This has all culminated with his release of "Love Wins." A book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. He lit the proverbial match of orthodoxy with this trailer for the book:

Numerous people have commented on this and his book. Blogs everywhere are alive with heated debate. I've waited to weigh in on this for two reasons:

1. I wanted the book in hand so that I could speak from first hand knowledge, rather than second hand speculation.
2. I didn't know where to begin or whether my opinions were even needed.

Needless to say, #1 can be checked off. As for #2, I've obviously made a decision. If what you're looking for is an exegetical defense, there are plenty out there. We don't need another one here. I highly recommend Kevin DeYoung's clear and thorough response to the subject and book. Instead, I would like to simply take a brief moment to show you what Bell does not. That the Bible is about "and" not "or". That we can (and must, I might add) reconcile seemingly opposing biblical truths, rather than advocating only through subjective reasoning.

Let me say clearly that after having carefully read Bell's latest book, I am deeply grieved. Never mind the lack of footnotes and references that make it impossible to verify the countless quotes and passages he takes out of context. If one has a weak understanding of church history or the Bible, much damage can be done without (at very least) the ability to verify accuracy and context. Never mind his regular misuse of scripture to support the countless questions he asks. But it is Rob Bell's subjectivity that continually creeps into his narrative that concerns me most. You get the distinct impression that what he "feels" or has "experienced" has greater credence than the authority and sufficiency of scripture a la postmodernity.

That being said, I thought rather than provide you an exegetical defense, I would do something different (for me anyways). It is important that we as Christians defend the truths of our faith (Jude 3). However, we can easily (if we're not careful) become people who are defined more by the things we are against, rather than the things which we are for. So let me proceed with what we must be for in response to Love Wins, showing you how we can reconcile issues like these:

• We are for a love that wins. One that can save all sinners (John 3:16). While at the same time, we believe that hard hearts will prevail (Ephesians 4:18).
• We are for the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21). While at the same time we believe that those who choose to spend their life apart from Jesus in this life, will spend an eternity apart from Him in the next (Daniel 12:2).
• We are for God's gospel invitation of imputed righteousness being open to any man or woman that places a saving faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-23). While at the same time, we believe that not everyone wil have ears to hear this invitation (Mark 4:9).
• We are for the idea that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (Ezekiel 18:32). While at the same time we believe that no matter how good you live, apart from God, hell is a reality (Ezekiel 18:24).
• We are for the sovereignty of God through which all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). While at the same time we believe the scripture is clear on what we are to do with Jesus (Romans 10:9) and scripture cannot be contradicted (John 10:35).

In Love Wins, Bell struggles all throughout the book with reconciling these tensions. So instead...he chooses only one side of the coin to defend, and in the process, embraces a cleverly disguised version of universalism that masquerades as Christian orthodoxy. Bell is bent on us believing that his views on eternity are part of the "wide stream" of historical orthodox Christianity. In the process demonstrating his inability (or unwillingness) to understand the foundations of that very orthodoxy. Rob Bell influences, quite possibly, hundreds of thousands worldwide. It is my hope that we do not defend our faith to exclusion of praying for a pastor who gives guidance to countless that are trying to understand Jesus. That the criticism he's invoked is for good reason. That the zeal he's witnessing is warranted. It is because doctrines like these go right to the heart of the gospel.

Each of these truths are connected to one another. Similarly to the way in which certain threads on a blanket are pulled, the entire thing unravels. We accept the whole counsel of Scripture, or none of it (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We must be reminded that what we feel or think cannot be relied upon. Otherwise, we will always be drawn to what suits our passions, rather than to what is true. And in the process embracing what seems "refreshing" and "new" in the way Paul warned Timothy (2 Timothy 4:3-4). It is only in connection with the Scriptures (Luke 24:32) that we can trust our hearts.

May we come to realize that at the end of time, every tongue will confess and every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11). That God's judgment and wrath were absorbed in glorious finality for all those who trust in Christ. This was purchased through his bloody crucifixion and secured through His literal resurrection. That heaven is a reality for all who die to themselves. That He gives us a way out of hell. Not the other way around.

That when all those who worship Jesus as Lord are separated from those who opt for sin and themselves, the power of the Reformation's exclamation "Solus Christus" (in Christ alone) is made manifest to all creation, and in the end...God wins.

[If you would like to hear more about the story of Jesus and His victorious love, click here]