Rob Bell, Celebrity Culture and Univeralism(?)
I wasn’t feeling well on Saturday so I laid down for a minute and browsed the social networking blogosphere. As is often the case, everyone was talking about the same thing. This time, it was Justin Taylor’s post: “Rob Bell: Universalist?” Taylor wondered aloud whether Rob Bell had crossed outside the bounds traditional orthodoxy, embracing Universalism. Taylor laments:
So on that level, I’m glad that Rob Bell has the integrity to be lay his cards on the table about universalism. It seems that this is not just optimism about the fate of those who haven’t heard the Good News, but (as it seems from below) full-blown hell-is-empty-everyone-gets-saved universalism.
On the publisher’s page for the book, Brian McLaren endorses it saying:
In Love Wins, Rob Bell tackles the old heaven-and-hell question and offers a courageous alternative answer. Thousands of readers will find freedom and hope and a new way of understanding the biblical story – from beginning to end.
Taylor also included the promotional trailer for the book:
LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.
The reaction in many of the circles I travel was loud and almost universal, with people saying things like: are you really surprised Rob Bell isn’t a Christian after all, or At least Rob Bell is honest about his move to heresy. Now, let’s be clear: the book is not even out yet so we don’t exactly know what his argument will be. Couple this with the fact that Bell has a habit of making very provocative statements and then somewhat backing away from them, back towards orthodoxy and there is some reason still to be hopeful. However, with the endorsements of Brian McLaren and Jay Bakker recommending the book on Facebook, that hope may be for naught. Couple this with the fact that, for years, Bell has been vocally downplaying the wrath of God and the picture looks bleaker still.
What are we to make of all of this? After all, we’ve got a lot of internet controversy about a book that hasn’t even been released yet. On one hand, we have people crying “Heretic!” and on the other, saying things like: “it’s about time Christianity was rescued from the ‘far-right.” Here’s some random thoughts:
- Bell Is A Master Performer
Whatever Bell’s theology may or may not currently be, he sucked us all into his PR machine. He does what he does extremely well and here we all are, discussing a book that hasn’t even been released yet because he had it endorsed by Brian McLaren and he released an “edgy” video. To be honest, this is a book I probably wouldn’t otherwise have read, but now, as a pastor, I probably will, just so I’m aware when people ask me what’s in it. Well done, Mr. Bell.
- We/I Are/Am Far Too Quick To Judge
Bear With me here. I’m not defending Bell but neither am I ready to burn him at the stake as a heretic. But, I must admit that my tendency is to make judgments without having all the facts. I haven’t read the book yet and I was ready to make theological conclusions about an argument that hasn’t even been made yet (at least explicitly).
This often seems to flow (at least for me) from an air of superiority. We are quick to judge because we are so sure we are right. It’s easier to pronounce judgment than it is to listen. This can manifest itself in daily conversation (have you ever stopped listening to someone because you were already sure where they were wrong and you were just waiting for the appropriate time to cut them off so you could tell them where they were wrong? No? That’s just me?) and is most often displayed in theological conversation. Again, I’m not saying Bell is right, just that we should read the book first.
Though I am extremely wary of where it seems Bell is heading, I have been humbly reminded that I am far too quick to speak and much too slow to listen. This is all the more important when dealing with such important issues. I fell into Bell’s publicity-making trap and I should have known better. For all his quiet demeanor, he certainly likes to stir things up and that seems to be exactly what he intended to do with this video. If anything, he succeeded in reminding me of my quick-natured tendencies.
- Theology is Inescapably Important
It’s telling that so many people (on both sides) of this issue are so vocal. But the truth is that theology matters. As A.W. Tozer famously said: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Bell is making arguments of eternal importance. As Bell points out in the promotional video, the “question behind the question” is what kind of God we worship.
Though we are probably too quick to judge, it is encouraging that so many people are so passionate about theological issues. When I grew up, deep theological consideration was often downplayed in the midst of anti-intellectualism trends in Christianity. That trend seems to have subsided and it is encouraging to see people asking lots of hard questions. Let’s pray for the humble discernment to answer them according to Scripture and now our own sentimental interpretations of what a “loving God” should be like.
- The Cross Is The Center of Theology
Bell’s assertions are not just about eternity but ultimately about the Cross. If Bell is truly arguing that everyone will be saved, then he must either argue that the Cross is not necessary or that we are all somehow saved by the Cross. As C.S. Lewis argued: if the Cross pays for all sin, then it also pays for the sin of unbelief. What was or was not accomplished at the Cross?
Bell is also asking a fundamental question (at least in the promotional video) about what salvation is or is not. He almost half-handedly (though with Bell, everything is intentional) asks whether or not someone must be “born again” to enter Heaven. This is more than just a passing comment and it seems to question clear Scriptural teaching (John 3:3, etc.). Bell seems to be questioning fundamental issues of traditional, orthodox Christianity itself.
- Gandhi Really Trips People Up
It’s interesting that Bell begins his promotional video by gasping at the fact that someone had the audacity to assert that Gandhi is in hell. After all, here we have a man who embodied more Christian ideals than many Christians and yet famously noted that, though he liked Jesus, he didn’t care much for Christians. We’re often left wondering what to do with him.
But, as Bell might say, the “question behind the question” of Gandhi is: who are we to say that “good people” don’t go to Heaven? There is an exclusive element to Christianity that makes many of us quite uncomfortable. We don’t like to think of someone like Gandhi facing God’s judgment. After all, look at all the good he did, right?!
- Christian “Celebrity Culture” Makes This All The More Sticky
Let’s be honest, if Rob Bell wasn’t a “celebrity pastor,” this wouldn’t be an issue for anyone outside his immediate sphere of influence. But as it is, his beliefs have impact for people all over the world. Though Christians should strive for equality, our tendency to want our own celebrities makes a single person’s theological beliefs ripple across the world.
Great post Brent. Good warnings against premature judgment.
Here’s a question for you, in regards to reading books that you wouldn’t otherwise be interested in: How do you pick?
I have a list of books that I *want* to read that is already incredibly long. I also have a list of books that I need to read, because (like this one) I’ll need to have an answer for the types of people that are interested in Bell. I have no need or desire to read the latest by Osteen or Bentley (for a couple easy examples) because I have no confusion where they stand.
While Bell is cagey in his answers, I don’t think he feels any obligation to orthodoxy. McLaren is more blunt, but in the same general camp. I hate to waste time reading their stuff, but it’s what people are easily taken by these days. So here’s my question: How long do you keep reading people you feel are off base (and possibly heretical) before you write them off? Do we need to keep reading, or is there some point we can say “so on so is nuts – I won’t read his stuff”.
Great question, Scott and that’s actually one I’ve wrestled with over the years. Like you, I wouldn’t read Osteen. I read “Generous Orthodoxy” and one other early one by McLaren and that was enough. With Bell, I think that if he really goes where it seems like he’s going, that will be the last one to read (for me).
The issue seems to be whether otherwise orthodox people will find a particular author interesting/persuasive. Bell holds a lot of sway with people who probably wouldn’t track with most of his theology and that’s the key for me. So I will read this book but not the next one by McLaren. What do you think?
Like you guys, it is extremely tough to pick books that grate against orthodox Biblical theology. They are hard to read (extreme eye-rolling) and hard to finish (devolving into non-sensical crap).
Take a book like Millers, “Blue Like Jazz”. That was a hard read because when Miller got into anything spiritual, it was all hippie, free-love, non-descript adjectives to describe it. It was grating because everything he wrote about the spiritual was so ambiguous. Grating but not challenging in any way.
Bell, take “Velvet Elvis”, is grating because he has the audacity to question orthodox theology. Yet, in calling God a liar (in regards to the prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ) and the fact Sola Scriptura is wrong, I was challenged to properly defend these doctrines to myself. Now, because of what Bell wrote, I can aptly defend the incarnation of Christ and the sufficiency and inerrancy of the Scripture.
To that, I say, well played Mr. Bell.
For that, Bell is an awesome teacher. However, I cannot teach like that for fear of even appearing to be off-course and misleading with my theology. Bell takes risks in teaching that I cannot. God have mercy on us all.
Thanks for this post Brent… especially taking the humble approach. Great 6 points. You’ve served me well today.
My take on Bell is simple. There is enough error over substance in his teaching to discredit him. Why waste my time with it? Especially when there are other teachers that are solid and so much good material out there.
So what that he is a good communicator and has cool videos. We are so enamored with personality at times methinks.
The most telling part of this blog is where you admit you are too quick to judge–and not just Bell–and that judging Bell’s book before you have even read it is bad form. Then you go forward with judgement.
It seems to me you believe admitting this fault gives you permission to go ahead and discuss the book before you have read it. It does not. I would have found a discussion of how you deal with this judgmentalism rather than a discussion of Bell.
It’s as if you believe being reactionary is not as bad as the possibility of being a universalist (I have not read or heard enough of Bell to know if those who are accusing him of heresy are even close).
Something else seems to be latent here that I have picked up as an undercurrent in those who set themselves up as watchdogs of correct theology. They seem to not really consider understanding God’s love as a theological foundation. They often refer to it as sentimentality. But God’s love is a key theological doctrine. It is not sentimental, a feeling, etc. God’s love is powerful truth. Jesus said love of God and one another is the key commandment. John said God is love. This claim is never made for correct doctrine, as important as it may be.
Eugene
This is well-done IMO
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/02/28/bell-brouhaha/?comments#comments
Great post. Going to tweet it. Thought you should know that his name is spelled Gandhi. The H comes after the D. But that’s all. =)
for serious evangelical students of scripture i urge you to read the careful biblical and philosophical arguments for an evangelical (Christ and cross centered) understanding of an ultimate universal reconciliation , one far more attentive to context than the average contemporary understading of afterlife issues, read “The evangelical Universalist” by gregory macdonald (Pen name). after that, you might think twice before labelling as “heretics” all who challenge the current majority view, which has many serious biblical and philosophical problems. thank you.
I actually think that there is enough in this video to warrant at least a strong red flag. Not sure whose using the “h” word, but I think judging an idea in a pop-setting (blog, fb, etc) without reading the book is only detramental if you get the idea of the book wrong. While it is only a promo piece, it’s hard to escape the implication that the book is being promoted as a dismissal of eternal divine punishment and/or exclusivity. Now, Bell is either publishing a book that rejects the classical notion of hell, is uninentionally misleading, is intentionally misleading, or is himself confused. I take it that he is too good a communicator to be intentionally misleading, and too intelligent to be confused. So, either he is indeed promoting what it appears he is promoting, or he is being intentionally misleading. On the principle of charity, I am going with the conclusion that the promotion is itself a ref flag that warrants all the harangue it is getting.
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Brent,
In reply to your question, I may read Bell’s – who knows. I have zero desire to. I had tentatively planned on McLaren’s, but only because I know I’ll hear people arguing in favor of it. I have lots of books I actually want to read, but very limited time. I hate to waste time reading things that I know will at best be uninteresting, and at worst put terrible ideas in my head.
(I don’t seem to be getting notifications from your site. Do you have them enabled?)
Good post. I think we can all stand to remember the book hasn’t even come out yet and that, like you said, Bell has a tendency to make audacious statements and then back off of them towards orthodoxy.
I think there’s much to be said for putting love first.
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It is true that God is love, but it is also true that God is Holy. As humans, I wonder if we truly understand that concept? Bell seems to be ignoring God’s holiness and emphasizing His love.
Big mistake.
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This whole thing with Bell kind of sickens me. Some would like to say that we are rejecting the very essence of God’s love if we don’t agree with Bell. I totally disagree. I recognize that God is love; the Bible is very clear about that. But God is also righteous, just and even jealous! People forget that Christianity isn’t about us it’s about God. Of course we are a reflection of Him and He wants the best for us but ultimately we were created for His glory. We cannot believe that we can go through life behaving however we choose and there be no consequences for that behavior. If we choose not to follow Christ we are choosing to follow the enemy, plain and simple. Scripture says, “Choose you this day whom you will serve,” and, “For the wages of sin is DEATH but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through CHRIST JESUS our Lord.” The Word is very clear in how it views those who choose not to follow Him. There are no basically “good” people on this earth. Our righteousness is as filfthy rags unto God. We were born into sin and therefore have a sinful nature. The only way we can be made right with God is through Christ. He gives us our whole lives to come to Him in repentance and to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We can’t shake our fists at God and say that it isn’t fair that so and so went to Hell. God is just and He can’t do anything to contradict who He is. He set the world in motion and He created us. As an earthly parent, I know what it is like to have a child disobey. I LOVE my kids with everything that is in me but when they disobey it hurts. They understand that there are consequences to that disobedience. What makes us think that God, as our heavenly Father, wouldn’t do the same? He created us because He loves us. He sent His son because He loves us. That was an ultimate act of love. He not only gave up His son but also a part of Himself on that cross. There’s no more that He could do for us to diplay His love. When we take that lightly there should be consequences for that. He didn’t do it for nothing. There has to be a consequence for totally disregarding Him as Savior and failing to acknowledge His demonstration of love.
So glad you aren’t ready to “burn Bell at the stake”…yet. Isn’t that kind of you. Though you may be speaking metaphorically, it sure doesn’t sound like it. It is people like you who make me want to run screaming from Christianity. How can you know who will or won’t go to heaven? With a god like yours who needs a devil. You’ve got a two in one deal here.
I think judging by that video and other comments I have heard from Bell your right to label his theology as wrong. I’m just shocked at the people defending Bell. Bell repeatedly cherry picks verses out of the Bible without context and then doesnt finish quoting the scripture. (in other works i’ve read of his that is) If Bell wants to play the ‘everything is love and God is love and everyone goes to Heaven’ thats his own prerogative…but when he tries to use the scriptures it is just laughable.
Luke 13:24-27 “24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I think someone above said it perfect…yes, God is love, but God is also Holy. He is holy and the only thing making us acceptable to Him is His Holy Son. (if we accept Him as our savior and God) Ghandi sinned…and if Ghandi did not know Jesus as his savior than the news is not great. BornAgain commentator may get angry…it is not myself, or the author of this blog that has any authority over Ghandi and his salvation..but Christ. If you want to get upset, get upset at the Bible. Actually read the verses your pastors avoid that make it clear that sin separates man from God, and the only atonement for that separation is Christ. If there was ‘another way’ to the Father…why would Jesus die on the cross? Why would he suffer? Would would he say I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me?
Bell also ignores the WHOLE new testament where God reveals with more than words Romans 6:23. Sin equaling death is more than prevalant, (Adam and Eve, immiediately sent from Eden and disjointed from God)
It looks like you are doing the thing you accuse Bell of Jake by “cherry picking” verses out of the bible. When Jesus HIMSELF was asked what we should do he laid it out in two steps, love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself.Oh and trust me I don’t need to be told that sin separates us me from God, I feel it because I happen to be a sinner. I also feel the Holy Spirit move in my life and I am daily grateful for my personal relationship to Jesus Christ, I would indeed be lost without it. I hope that I’m spending more time loving others rather than worrying about who gets to heaven. Honestly I don’t care. My life is a gift and a blessing and I feel it to my core. What happens after I or anyone else dies is up to God.