tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post4575290022834640574..comments2023-10-17T10:25:57.853-04:00Comments on learning my lines. . .: Rob Bell. . . Before. . .Walt Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16502588185280592205noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-33673407880389513232011-04-04T13:10:27.369-04:002011-04-04T13:10:27.369-04:00I think the book and controversy surrounding the b...I think the book and controversy surrounding the book is less about heaven/hell and more about salvation. Bell is taking to task what is meant by "believing in Jesus" and in the process what the outcomes are for those who "don't believe in Jesus."<br /><br />A lot of the harsh reviews are coming from the Reformed and neo-calvinist movements and that should be expected. Bell's perspective has been historically against these movements (Tillich v. Barth). While Rob stops short of encamping himself with one particular tradition (which I find refreshing) he definitely has tinges of Tillich and Schleiermacher in his approach to scripture.<br /><br />From what I gather from the book Bell suggests that "believing in Jesus" is more about how you live and less about what you say you believe. He moves faith beyond mere cognitive assent and makes faith about one's ability to live a certain way (even though we can't foresee the outcome/benefit). He's also seeking to un-box God from Christianity, which is a bold move for a Christian pastor. He affirms a God that is bigger than Christianity and bigger than theology.<br /><br />It's a refreshing (re)-rethinking of what we view as "classic" doctrines and one that speaks loudly to our current cultural context.Dave Browerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316969878080768056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-77672337126811210462011-03-31T16:03:38.093-04:002011-03-31T16:03:38.093-04:00I was there at that Nooma screening in the old the...I was there at that Nooma screening in the old theater in Sacramento. I heard him speak at YS and at a National Pastor's convention. I've been a Rob Bell fan since my first Nooma! I've read Love Wins, my husband is almost done with the audiobook of it. Regardless of whether I agree with his scripture interpretations or not...I've had wonderful conversations with my husband about it. Sadly, I feel like I can't discuss the book at all in public. We live in a world where we are one sentence, one tweet, one blog post away from getting fired.Gina Lucia Abbashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03715813431020443403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-39283871535639335022011-03-28T14:04:53.016-04:002011-03-28T14:04:53.016-04:00I, as well, won't form my opinion on Rob Bell ...I, as well, won't form my opinion on Rob Bell until after reading the book. This interview on MSNBC, however, raises red flags. You can watch the interview @<br /><br />http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/15/a-chronology-of-rob-bell-on-hell/#videoJ.Meyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08928414146542885864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-83151074870324103842011-03-28T09:48:08.093-04:002011-03-28T09:48:08.093-04:00I have previously been a big fan of Bell-first saw...I have previously been a big fan of Bell-first saw him, think it was in 2002, at those conventions (I saw him in Nashville). Blew me away when we spoke out of Leviticus. In the years since, he has had a huge impact on faith/understanding of Scripture. Have followed the hoopla surrounding the book but held out judgment til I could read it for myself. I finished it Saturday-and it breaks my heart. For a great summary of the books, it's potential, and it's HUGE problems, read this blog-it sums it up expertly: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/Bill Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18324421723899689414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-84772073617038481622011-03-28T09:42:32.993-04:002011-03-28T09:42:32.993-04:00I'm halfway through. The thing I love about t...I'm halfway through. The thing I love about this book is that it really provokes you to think. Bell raises many very good questions and challenges some of the things I heard growing up. It has forced me to step back and look at some of my own beliefs and wonder, "Do I believe this because it's what the Bible says, or what someone else told me along the way?" One other thought: I don't know that Rob is doing anything all that new here, I think he's right in the same line as C.S. Lewis and even Timothy Keller's work on the subject...anyway, I must read on!Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614828271558145419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-65860354090233843522011-03-26T18:05:34.597-04:002011-03-26T18:05:34.597-04:00I haven't read the book but I REALLY want to w...I haven't read the book but I REALLY want to when I have more time and my son is doing better. I didn't know you went to Gordon-Conwell. I am a graduate of Asbury, and I found your youth resources while studying Christian Education there (for which I am VERY thankful for as a former youth minister). Anyway, Dr. Timothy Tennent, who was a Prof. at Gordon-Conwell, is now President of Asbury. He has written a FANTASTIC four-part review on his blog. You can read it here: http://timothytennent.com/2011/03/love-wins-part-one-why-rob-bell-needs-to-return-to-seminary%e2%80%a6-and-bring-along-quite-a-few-contemporary-evangelical-pastors/Sara Fleminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17448877274699623623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-68771704489928695272011-03-25T22:42:05.420-04:002011-03-25T22:42:05.420-04:00Thank you, Walt! I was concerned when I saw one o...Thank you, Walt! I was concerned when I saw one of Rob's promotional videos about the book. He seemed to be preaching universality. I'm eager to know if he's off track or simply reframing the gospel, as a way to reach more people for Christ. I look forward to hearing what you have to say, after you read it.square peg believerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06244768176194163503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-43781107406365925642011-03-25T22:39:19.385-04:002011-03-25T22:39:19.385-04:00I haven't read his book, either, but have seen...I haven't read his book, either, but have seen a promotional video clip on it. It kind of surprised me, but I've heard some of this talk before (very recently and in my OWN church). In my opinion, this universality movement seems to stem in part from the church's interest in being tolerant (a virtue in the eyes of today's culture). We don't want to appear exclusive and saying that only those who believe in Christ will be saved may come across as too narrow for those within and outside the church. But I don't see how this jives with verses I know from I John ("He who has the Son has the life") and much more, of course. Thank you for reading his book and letting us know what he's trying to communicate.square peg believerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06244768176194163503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-6226502737673280642011-03-25T20:03:59.682-04:002011-03-25T20:03:59.682-04:00I have not read the book yet but plan to. I appre...I have not read the book yet but plan to. I appreciate your perspective on the "before" part of the book reading process. In a nutshell, I think you're hinting that we need to always test everything with Scripture. Although I do not know what to expect, two things are certain: #1-The debate around this book was a brilliant marketing strategy and #2-Rob Bell can pick the perfect glasses for every occasion.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08312808253558482151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-81777782178343574122011-03-25T18:32:22.670-04:002011-03-25T18:32:22.670-04:00Downloaded my copy today. Looking forward to digg...Downloaded my copy today. Looking forward to digging in.John Mulhollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523189556509289175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-48146350523720505522011-03-25T18:31:35.974-04:002011-03-25T18:31:35.974-04:00Just downloaded my copy to my iPad this morning. ...Just downloaded my copy to my iPad this morning. Anxious to dig in.John Mulhollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523189556509289175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-646212322332877122011-03-25T12:53:26.232-04:002011-03-25T12:53:26.232-04:00Thanks for this. I look forward to reading what i...Thanks for this. I look forward to reading what is ahead.Cara Maathttp://www.caraemaat.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-56934176345859237232011-03-25T11:55:02.405-04:002011-03-25T11:55:02.405-04:00like.....JJlike.....JJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com