~ Love Wins? ~
Rob Bell: Love wins….?
One of the hottest topics in the US at the moment (not just The Royal Wedding and what dress Kate will wear!) is Rob Bells’ book, ‘Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.’ The book has even made front page of the New York Times.
Now after reading and hearing lots about this book (mostly hot air I must add!) I decided to have an explore of the book for myself.
I’ll be honest straight off and say – I personally don’t agree with Rob on this issue and when all is said and done – His theology does sound a bit too close to ‘Universalism’ for my liking. (The whole ‘everyone in the end gets reconciled to God’) Side note – if that’s the case why even bother with Evangelism?
As a result, I agree with people wanting to speak out and ‘defend truth’ but I think some of the ways that people have gone about have not been majorly helpful – and in some instances it has become very personal. (then again, he doesn’t help himself by basically saying the evangelical stance on hell is ‘Toxic’ amongst other things.)
There is no point me writing a lot more on this as I really agree with this in depth and measured review by Kevin DeYoung. (it’s long but well worth a read!)
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/files/2011/03/LoveWinsReview.pdf
And this great MP3 seminar at the recent Gospel Coalition Conference, discussing this very topic – with a panel inc, Tim Keller and Dr Carson.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/god_abounding_in_love_punishing_the_guilty
What are your thoughts on this, am I just old fashioned or will all people be saved?
In the end, I pray that truth wins…
*Glancing sideways to ‘Consumer Detox’* – can I borrow it when you’ve finished with it? ;-)
I’m eagerly awaiting the delivery of my copy… He’s a good businessman if nothing else! (Jokes – Rob Bell I’d nothing if not sincere).
I agree with your thoughts Chris, although I do value Rob Bell’s attitude towards scripture, i.e. Let’s keep discussing it and pondering the truth within it, rather than setting in stone “systematic theologies”. The idea that we can come up with a perfect, water-tight and comprehensive interpretation of scripture seems arrogant at best. What a lot of people don’t seem to realise is that a lot of the doctrines they stubbornly cling to are not as ancient as they may believe.
We have to remember that Jesus was a rabbi, and spent time debating in the synagogues; it’s a shame to lose that tradition and launch personal attacks or “write people off” because of their ideas about God. That really is unbiblical.
Hey Tom, thanks for getting involved mate. Yeah I totally agree about the let’s keep discussing and pondering truth – the thing is he kind of does that in way of really belittling others…. which is not always the best starting place! (especially when it seems some are out to get him from the start)
Hey, if anything – what a talking point to get people thinking and not just believing what is put directly in front of them!
Ha! Of course Janet ;)
Seriously, I’ve read lots about it but not the actual book. My gut feeling is I’m with you – everybody needs to hear the gospel. I do think that we may be surprised that some people who weren’t Christians may show up in Heaven, but that is gut reaction (with some CS Lewis thrown in) – it is plausible that people can respond to Jesus without knowing his name but in the end God is the judge and knows people’s hearts.
Anyway, whatever happens in the next world, God’s Kingdom is here and now and everybody needs to know it!
Yeah that was some of the arguments made in his defence that it’s only what C.S Lewis said… (have a listen to the mp3 for the response on that!)
Although this book by Bell half-addresses the issue of Universalism and then falters away at the end, it is a great introduction for many people to the subject of eschatology. Various strands of Universalism exist in the theological world and many have great standing and support. Personally I find the concept of Universalism exciting and appealing. I also find it compelling within a narrative view of scripture. Meaning, God’s plan (or Missio Dei) has always been to restore creation and reconcile all of creation back to himself. At a basic level, to think that God will not succeed in his mission is slighlty disturbing.
Also I believe that our perception of ‘love’ is a hell of a lot closer to who God is than our perception of ‘God’. And for that very reason I believe that everyone who has been born in the image of love will and does experience love/God in life. Who am I to guess whether they (who have a relationship with love/God) will enter into new creation.
I get that for a lot of people this is quite a new or liberal view, in fact Bell really isn’t that liberal in the end, however, any sort of new belief that challenges our own concept is scary at first, especially when it undermines our reasons for life.
If we are to base our desicion on biblical passages there are equally compelling passages on both sides. Therefore a narrative view is helpful.
Either way, it is interesting and a great opening for many non-theology readers to the subject, despite the negative responses. But at least people now cannot deny that Piper has got many things wrong. At the end of the day there is plethora of concepts and theologies for any one topic, and a network of such ideas held in tension is helpful for any better understanding of God or Godness. You only have to look at The Second and The Fourth Gospels int he way they portray Jesus to see this approach.
Peace.
Hi Jonny, welcome aboard – thanks for posting!
Some great thoughts. I totally agree with it being a great introduction to the subject and no doubt, Bell is a gifted and compelling writer – I suppose the Universalism concept just personally grates alongside what I’ve known/studied. I think it takes some of the power out of the cross, limits the urgency for mission and cuts out a lot of bible verses that talk rub against the concept, i.e he uses John 3.16, but doesn’t mention 17 or 18. And just the thought that there is some kind of purgatory 2.0 (for want of a better word) just doesn’t seem to sit right. God is love, but God is Holy, God is Justice, God is Light etc…) God sends the plagues in Egypt, God sends the bowls of wrath in Revelation.
However I would love it to be true that people do get another chance beyond this life (and another and another till love finally wins the day)!! :)