Rob Bell: Universalist?

[kaufmannphillips]

This thing is blowing up (check the link below). But Bell should be afforded a fair hearing. People shouldn't be firing up their flamethrowers without having read his book (which will be released March 29, according to Amazon).

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/0 ... ch/?hpt=C2

[Perry]

People shouldn't be firing up their flamethrowers without having read his book (which will be released March 29, according to Amazon).

I agree.

[RICHinCHRIST]

I agree as well. It seems that the critics would make a very big mistake if Rob Bell ends up advocating a view similar to Conditional Immortality (As RickC suggests). The critics that began this feud were Justin Taylor, John Piper, and Mark Driscoll, who are all part of the Calvinistic group known as the "Gospel Coalition". They tend to come off pretty hard on anything they disagree with. It is sad that they have judged the book by its cover though. As long as this book doesn't advocate a no-consequence-for-sin position, I think it may stir up minds to consider alternative views to the eternal torment view. From what I remember, though, Rob Bell isn't a great Bible expositor, so I hope his book doesn't have more of an emotional leaning rather than a strong Scriptural defense of his position. I read his book "Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith", a few years back when I was a brand new Christian. I don't remember it being inundated with Scripture references but it was more of a contextualization of the Christian worldview into the 21st century postmodern framework. I hope this book, however, has some strong Scriptural texts to back up his claims, because we all know his opponents will have some.

[mattrose]

Ben Witherington has weighed in on the idea of weighing in before the book is published...

http://www.patheos.com/community/biblea ... love-wins/

It seems that there are a ton of Christians out there in cyberspace who are prepared to judge Rob Bell before his book has even been published. As I happen to have the same publisher as Rob now has (Harper), I called them today and talked to my senior editor this afternoon. They are tight lipped about the content of the book and the publicist will send me one at the appropriate juncture. It will then be time to critically evaluate Rob’s latest thoughts.

In this post, I have a very different beef—– I must say I am hugely disappointed in people like John Piper and Mark Driscoll, who also haven’t read the book yet, and yet are prepared to condemn Rob— one even saying dismissively— ‘Farewell Rob Bell’. Frankly this is all too typical of the hyper-Calvinistic wing of the Evangelical world. Shoot first, ask questions later. They’ve even given a Reformed Evangelical like Tom Wright this sort of treatment in some cases.

And what should be said to them is— shame on you for prejudging a brother in Christ. Shame on you for being prepared to pontificate and judge before you have even read what the man has to say. IS THIS THE SORT OF BEHAVIOR JESUS WOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT? I think not. And even it it turns out there are some unBiblical ideas or thoughts in Rob’s new book, shouldn’t the approach to the matter be to first ‘go to the brother’ and gently talk to him personally about these things before twittering, tweeting, or blogging about the matter? Yes indeed, that is what Jesus told us to do, frankly. He also said, “judge not, lest you be judged”, and what he seems to have meant by that is “don’t write someone off as hell bound, lest you be judged by the same standard’, which by the way, is exactly what Rob wants us to talk about. How about extracting some of the logs in your own eye first, before trying to be the optician of Rob Bell? In the meanwhile, as my granny would have said, the ethics of some Evangelical commentators is not merely going to pot, its ‘going to hell in a handbasket’

More later, when the book comes out. In the meantime all fair minded Christians should hold their fire.

[RickC]

Matt - Thanks for the BW3 link!
Great to see he's finally left Beliefnet!

[RickC]

I located 'the' sermon folks are saying the book might come from/ be based on:
Rob Bell - Love Wins
(about 35 mins)

Recommended
Insights about Jesus
'New Creation Theology'
Practical Life Theology
Exalts Jesus!
Amen!
Thanks

[kaufmannphillips]

More coverage:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/0 ... es/?hpt=C2

[Homer]

Interesting link re Rob Bell:

http://www.ordinarypastor.com/?p=1283

[brody196]

Anyone wanna place bets that James White is going to have a field day with this one???...

[Todd]

... As long as this book doesn't advocate a no-consequence-for-sin position, ....

Rich,

Just to set the record straight regarding what you have called the "no hell" position, it cannot be said that this position in any way claims that there is no consequence for sin. Indeed, the Bible is plain that all are rewarded according to their works. One who advocates the Ultra-Universalist position would say that God's punishment for sin is suffered in this life - before death, and that each one of us reaps what he sows. Some examples of the consequences for sin are: guilt, shame, condemnation, fear, anxiety, distrust, disgrace, being shunned, broken relationships, imprisonment, and pre-mature death. Some might call this the "hell on earth" view as opposed to a "no hell" view.

Todd