Comments on: 3 Reasons I’ll Be Reading Rob Bell’s New Book

By: Collection of Webs: February – Sunshine Lenses

Collection of Webs: February – Sunshine Lenses — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:31:02 +0000

[...] 3 reasons I’ll be reading Rob Bell’s new book: A rather interesting article from the Gospel Coalition:” I expect Rob’s book will prod me toward better and more beautiful ways of presenting the truth.” [...]

By: Peter McMurray

Peter McMurray — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:51:15 +0000

Just got my review copy. Didn’t read Love Wins for a long time after it came out as I knew from the internet coverage I would disagree with it, but then a few of my friends read it so I got a copy so that I could converse with them about it.

By: Ben Simpson

Ben Simpson — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:55:05 +0000

I really appreciate your approach, Trevin. I agree with your overall assessment of Bell’s work, both his theological trajectory, and the reasons for his appeal. I look forward to hearing what you think about this latest book.

As for whether I’ll read it, I’m not sure. With Love Wins, I resisted the urge to go out and buy it–I put it on hold at the local public library and read it after the buzz had passed. When I did read it, I not only found something I disagreed with, but something I think will be pass, only to find another reincarnation with another author, pastor, or writer. I might approach reading this new book the same way–we’ll see if friends want my take, as they did with Love Wins.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:03:39 +0000

Thank you for this article.

You have put down very plainly why his writing and speaking have such a draw. He is a great communicator, he really is. Even though his post-modern bias causes him to shy away from reason and logical consistency, he still is very compelling. C. S. Lewis in the “Screwtape Letters” pointed out that jargon is a much more persuasive tool as compared to argument when talking to tha average man. (ie: Saying “Love Wins” is much more attractive than discussing the grammatical historical assessment of Revelation 20) And Rob is a master of jargon!

So, I too will keep reading and debating his ideas with myself. Trying to have a logical discussion in a world fed on jargon is a dangerous endeavor. Notice the irony.

By: Church Chair Guy

Church Chair Guy — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:50:28 +0000

I will not be reading it, primarily because I found the quality of Love Wins to be pretty weak (in my opinion). I know I felt as I began to read it that he would be differing with my own beliefs, but I thought he would make a strong argument and do it skillfully. But my sense as I read was it was far weaker than I had expected and not very well written. So I will not be reading this latest effort unless I hear more reasons to do so.

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:21:23 +0000

Paul would say that is reason to get the gospel out to everyone. Oprah would say “let’s just find another way”. Those that have the power to reach the most people often just complain about all those being lost without doing anything to change it or even making it harder by deceiving them.

By: Dean Chang

Dean Chang — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:55:45 +0000

I respect your approach, but I find it odd that Christians would ever need to “warn” anyone about reading any book. This is definitely something that the new atheists are right to pounce on us for as they would NEVER dare say something as ridiculous as that. That’s just not something that rational people should ever say, there’s no defense for ever “warning” people about reading any kind of literature, especially for those who claim to have the Truth. What I can’t fathom, especially from the neo-Reformed who tout having access to the most correct-est of theology, and who worship a God who is super duper sovereign, is why the words that come out of their mouths are always so fear-mongering, insecure, defensive and hyper-critical? To his credit, Rob Bell never talks like that, he speaks (to both his fans and his critics) with the grace and confidence that I think is more befitting of someone who has a relationship with Jesus.

I think you’re right to want to read Rob Bell’s book, people should read things that challenge them, not to reaffirm what they already believe, isn’t that the whole point or reading a book to begin with? My favorite books are consistently the ones that opened me up to thinking about things that I had never even fathomed, and I’m not embarrassed to say, as a former fundamentalist Evangelical, that Love Wins was one of those books. I’ve already pre-ordered this new one.

By: Kevin Phillips

Kevin Phillips — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:27:16 +0000

The truth is I hadn’t planned on reading it but not only will I read this new book but I will go back and read Love Wins.

By: Charlie Thomson

Charlie Thomson — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:08:11 +0000

Interesting thoughts…

… but is “wordsmith” a verb?!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:00:42 +0000

Read Ezekiel 18. Verse 32 says that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone. We should take this to heart, and if we find ourselves finding pleasure in the downfall, destruction, or misfortune of others we are on the other side of the fence concerning how God feels about the downfall of man. In light of this, not taking pleasure in destruction is not the same as adhering to principles of holiness. God is the most holy and therefore he judges rightly, but takes no pleasure in destruction of anyone.

The Western view of hell (or its non-existence) is linked to the justice of God. In other cultures around the world, the North American view of hell (justice of God) is quite offensive. Where there is real suffering and evil you will find a people clinging to the truth that there is a God who is just and will make all things right. The death of the second person of the Trinity was grizzly and scandalous. The love of God is only matched by his righteous anger. If we are angry about nothing then we love nothing. If one rejects the son and will not repent, there is no other option for the forgiveness of sins. God’s anger will be expressed in the same degree that his love is expressed through the cross.