I know I know the title of this blog just about answers my thoughts about the book but I hope and pray that you read the blog anyways. Personally I have never been a Rob Bell fan considering I'm not emergent, but I would say that I am part of the emerging church culture with a very close watch on staying within the teaching of a more reformed view of theology. I personally agree with a lot of the reformers but yet I am younger (I"m basically a young adult pastor) and want to reach the youth (13-30 year olds) of this nation. With that said I did come in with a critical view of what would be said in the book cause of my view and opinion of Bell but also with the controversy that surrounded the book even more so.
Bell looks to answer questions about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived. I first off have to say that these are large words for a man that continually asks more questions about the Christian faith then a young child does about life. I don't see anything wrong with asking questions but not when it throws out sound biblical exegesis, sound biblical context of passages mentioned and/or 1800 years of Christian thought I begin to worry for those reading the book. My worry about this is that Bell is so far gone in sound theology and clearly giving a true look at God pushes me to write about it. There are those in the faith that have no idea about sound biblical teaching they will be deceived as to believe a lie, this is my reason for writing this first and foremost. The words of Jude stand true in that "they are hidden reefs at your love feasts" (v. 12) for this is the truth and Bell is in the midst of Christian through today and why I'm so expressive about this heresy.
There are only two things about the book I am looking to talk about. The first and bigger issue is that Bell says all people will go to heaven, then that God's love is the very essence of who God is and what the gospel is all about (nope Holiness is; Isa 6:3 & Rev. 4:8...righteousness is the gospel, just read Romans), also that God's grace is so big that faith and repentance are not necessary for salvation, that judgment isn't coming upon the ungodly and that love is all that matters (Luke 13:3 &5; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thes. 1:10; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 2:4-5, 3:21-26; these are just a few scriptures that talk about what I just mentioned).
The greatest issue is that Bell makes the claim of a universal atonement for everyone who ever lived meaning that all people will go to heaven and the righteousness of God will mean nothing in the end when God is to judge the world by his righteousness (Matthew 25 makes a clear distinction about the righteous and the unrighteous before God's judgment and eternal punishment) this is a necessary truth to who God is and what the gospel is all about. This is why we are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1) cause its a judicial term or being made right with the judge (here it's God), so without faith one is not just in God's sight and therefore stands condemned before the judge.
Along with his universalism of all will go to heaven, Bell makes the claim and excuses a literal place of punishment (hell) and does all he can to make a literal place of bliss (heaven) more a here and now then a yet to come. Bell also not only does a horrible job with even portraying the love of God as making it something that is proceeding the holiness and righteousness of God and something that leaves no room for faith in the sacrifice of Christ and repentance for individual sin towards God. This is not just a horrible thing but darn right not in line with who God is, who man is or what the gospel teaches. Not all people will be in eternal bliss with our heavenly Father as Jesus said "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is east that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14), for this is a very clear statement by Jesus about the afterlife!
I have thrown some harsh words around but Rob Bell is a heretic and this book is heresy. It goes against all that the bible teaches and bell is teaching another gospel and what Paul said is worthy of eternal damnation (Gal 6:6-10). This is not a joy to say but necessary as Peter and Jude (2 Peter 2 & Jude) say that will be in our midst and Paul says to Timothy that people will look to have their ears tickled (1 Tim. 4:1-3). I pray and hope you head this as many will not!
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