One thing is for certain, the gospel of Jesus Christ will not win. Lost souls needing salvation will not win. Already confused and struggling Christians will not win. And the glory of God will not win.

Seems to me that the publisher wins b/c controversy drives books sales and b/c Rob Bell's tribe of book readers is strong no matter what some fundamentalist pastor says to condemn his work.

But, like you, I wouldn't mind Rob being a less circumspect when some folks are genuinely interested in what he has to say. Of course, that may simply be his style.

If he's maintaining his vagueness, perhaps who/what wins is the principle of not being pushed into reactivity by people who are criticizing you in a mean-spirited and public manner. That might be a good winner for leaders and pastors.

This is just awful writing. Couldn't even finish it. Mudballs?

Will Rob engage with honest, credible theologians? Will he be open to hearing and responding to humble questions about his book and thoughts? Will he ever give us a straight answer?

At this point the whole conversation has become more like watching Charlie Sheen's version of winning than anything else. Is Rob an inclusivist or an exclusivist? Does it matter? Will we ever know?

I'm not buying the book (or the hype.)

It's important to remember that HarperCollins is owned by News Corp. They're very good at making money off market driven hype. So I guess that's a win.

I'm about halfway through the book. Jesus wins. Rob's less vague and ambiguous in the book than the video and the interview, although some folks deeply entrenched in their eschatology still won't get it. The release of this book is a Wittenburg Door moment for Christianity and when it all blows over, Jesus wins.

For me, Rob Bell's ambiguity has reached the level of "zen like baloney and thoroughly annoying"; His comments come in the context of much post-enlightenment ultracertainty (I get that), but to take such an adamantly obscure stance on virtually everything is one colossal waste of time. I would love to give him every benefit of the doubt, but he and Brian Mac have just worn me out. I might skim the new book , but if I don't , I won't be crying about it either.

Controversy sells books. It's a great promotion, and if more people buy his book and learn something true about Jesus or grow in their faith, good.

What if the reason why people are leaving the church in droves, is that Christians have been too long afraid of "stirring the mud in puddles"?

What if Bell's ambiguity really just ending up scaring those already comfortable with their conception of the faith--- and to the struggling and doubt-riddled, his "murky" words actually turned out to be breaths of fresh air?

What if we really didn't care about what eschatological theory a certain Grand Rapids pastor personally holds-- because we acknowledged the possibility that maybe cognitive data ISN'T the mark of our salvation, after all?

I fear many of you are missing the point... very much in the style of Jesus when the religious powers that be tried to pin him down on various "specifics", Rob turned almost every question into an opportunity to share the good news of the kingdom of God. The world was watching, and Rob took the opportunity to tell the GOOD news. While many of you wanted an inquisition on the scale of Martin Luther, Rob wasn't playing that game. And if it left you frustrated and disappointed... GOOD! Don't you get it yet? Come on... think about it... GOOD news... anybody? anybody?

Yo Josh Lunde-Whitler...spot on bro! Bob you too! Margaret, I think what you are not seeing is that Rob's whole body of work, the whole series of "movements" is to call into question the very certainty which "American Evangelical/Fundamentalist/Pentecostal Christians" have turned into God.

Rob's point: DESPITE WHAT ANY RELIGIOUS LEADER SAYS, GOD DECIDES WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT, AND FURTHER GOD MAY NOT EVEN HAVE AN IN AND OUT AS WE MAY PRESUME HE DOES!

Rob was pointedly clear that salvation is through Jesus Christ. What he was obtuse on was the variance of creeds and confessions (or "statements of faith" for my 20th century evangelical readers) over time and the absolute fact that many of the evangelical doctrines that evangelical Christians in America hold as "gospel" actually have more to do with certain reformation movements in the 15th-18th centuries! They have little to do with the narrative teachings of Jesus for this time. And this place.

I would argue that theologically Rob Bell has OUT SOVEREIGNTIED OF GOD ALL THE CALVINISTS!

@Scott Eaton...I feel sorry that you have such an anemic view of God's sovereignty.

Rob's style and comments create the upshot between the quickly fading modernist approach to theology and philosophy (concrete, dogmatic, sectarian, divisive) and the ascendant post-modern rubric (narrative, inclusive, fluid). The issue is exactly that Rob is giving real answers but the modernist lack of imagination that holds so many traditionalists simply blinds them to what he is saying. And that's OK. It's clear where human civilization is going - and it's not backwards. Folks will catch on or be left behind. But the good news is that love will still win - even for those who can't keep up.

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" Galatians 1:6-9

When we impose a systematic theology of one kind or another on Scripture, we get certainty because we can exegete to fit our framework. Rob refuses to do that. It makes me love Jesus more and it urges me to invite others in the quest of following him. If you have any doubt Rob is "one of us" please read http://download.christianitytoday.com/pt/sermons/transcript/PT247A.pdf

I don't think most people get the purpose of this book. It is an attempt to bring the discussion of heaven, hell, God's love, God's judgment thoroughly into the realm of the post-modern dialogue.

And because of the connectivity of the Christian world right now, he has done it. He deliberately makes his presentation multi-faceted (jumping from analogy to poem to questions to narrative hermeneutics back to story) so that both sides of the brain engage.

He desires the controversy, as long as it strengthens the bonds of community.

Don't you hate it when you think you're discussing on one level and the real dialogue is happening on another?

The pre-release furor means only one thing: Publisher Wins!

Now that the book is out, seems Rob is chasing Mclaren on the path out of evangelicalism into liberal heterodoxy. One can only be vague for so long in 200 pages.

...from one who is fast approaching 70yo, I welcome this upheaval from the stuck mud of over-extended certainty. Sure...we humans will always put forward our agendas, theological or otherwise, mostly for our own protection...but I welcome some unstuck, unlocked sacred imagination on the journey to actually living "love" in all the dimensions of our lives. What's still amazing to me is that this Triune God has given us all the mandate to "love as I love." Some times this human (me) is willing to do just that...and some times I need to heed Jesus' words (Luke 11:29) and not be Jonah in how, where, when and whom I am called, daily, to love. I welcome the dialogue..........!

Case...in point...from another imaginative soul that is not debating the RB moments...but heading in some of the same direction:

http://donmilleris.com/2011/03/16/jesus-contends-with-religion/

Josh - you wrote:

"Rob turned almost every question into an opportunity to share the good news of the kingdom of God."

Really? You think Rob Bell gave the gospel? I can't say that I have ever heard Rob Bell give the true gospel, not in any of his interviews and certainly not in this blasphemous book. The gospel then, which megachurch pastor Rob Bell doesn't seem to comprehend or be able to articulate, is this:

All people are born depraved and wicked and dead in their sins. They were born into sin and they also choose to sin, and are therefore under God's wrath. But God, in his mercy, made a way for whoever will bend the knee in humble submission and repent of their sins, and then place their faith in Christ's atoning death done on their behalf to be reconciled to himself. THAT is the gospel, and that IS amazing good news!

But Rob Bell claims in this book that Christ's death achieves salvation for ALL - whether or not they are repentant. (And yes, I have read the book). This is heinous, blasphemous heresy of the first order. Christians MUST draw the line in the sand and separate from Bell over this.

Perhaps Rob's comments about hell are not so much a revelation of God's truth, but a revelation of the hearts of each person who reponds. Some hearts are twisted with anger, hatred and judgement - vile, black hearts while others are open minded to see what he has to offer and what his theology is based upon.

As a former Mars Hill attender, and having watched Rob's video trailer, I knew right away that his provocativeness was at play here, in a good way as always, to make people think about their faith, their world, this man named Jesus. I'm anxious to read the book, too, to prove my hunch about what I'll find: That Rob Bell is once again asking the questions nobody dares to ask out loud, and pointing a finger right back at Jesus as the answer. The key phrase to remember from his first book, Velvet Elvis: "God has spoken. Everything else is just conversation." I believe we'll find that Rob once again champions Jesus as the only way, but allows for the reality that truth can be found everywhere, in all walks of life. Others can call it whatever they want--but we know that all truth has Jesus' DNA in it.

For any Christian the answer ought to be quite simple: God wins. The rest is just details.

Since we know who wins, why do we find it so hard to be patient and at least read the book before condemning it?

Jesus always wins!

I think Bell may be on to something. God promised those who follow Him the reward of ETERNAL LIFE. If hell is real and you live there for eternity...isn't that eternal life - albeight an extremely warm eternal life.

I think that the lake of fire is real - that those who turn against God will be destroyed - and that Christ's church will have the true reward - Eternal Life

I agree...wait for the book to come out. I have said all along that I honestly believe this is promotion and nothing more. Rob Bell knows what he's doing, therefore I doubt that the mudballs sting too much. What stings my heart is the vitriol coming from believers. . .it flies in the face of scripture:

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

I am often surprised by the reaction of authors such as this. They can't seem to see the blessing of church discipline and rebuke--both institutions ordained by God. While I do not claim to have exhaustive knowledge of the 'mudslingers' Margaret is referencing here, the ones I have read are practicing Biblical love toward Mr. Bell. If Rob Bell continues down the path he has been walking, then he is veering off the path of God. Yes, reading the book will prove beneficial, but is anyone going to be surprised when it is discovered that Bell has abandoned orthodox Christianity by removing eternal damnation from its description? Church discipline is in short supply these days, with churches on every corner, but in my opinion Bell's detractors for the most part are the ones fighting for his soul, as well as that of those he influences. "Those He loves, He also disciplines." Hebrews 12:6

I'm not going to wade into the quagmire of critiquing or defending Rob Bell. I just want a little fairness. Not all the critics are simply slinging mud. Reviewers such as Tim Challies and Al Mohler read pre-release copies of the book. Some might think they are simply blinded by their Reformed spectacles, but those writers are asking their own questions and raising their own challenges. (Or is that only okay if you don't disagree with Bell?) Carl Trueman steered clear of commenting on the whole of the book in pointing out that Bell rather badly misrepresented and quoted out of context a letter written by Martin Luther.

CT's own Mark Galli (I haven't checked his Reformed credentials) raises serious questions about Bell's use of both Scripture and of church history. At least in this post, Feinberg mentions none of these reviews, rhetorically leaving us only with the options of agnosticism or mudslinging when it comes to Bell.

What ever happened to "Christianity Today" as a tool that stood for what is Biblically true and accurate in a world where Christian liberalism had come in and tried to take the stance, "Did God really say...?" If Carl F. Henry were still alive, he would wash his hands of this publication. Margaret Feinberg seems more concerned about "everyone getting along" and "no one throwing nasty comments (thus the analogy of the mud puddle)" around. "Let's all be nice to Rob Bell and one another." Gee, when heresy is taught (and I don't need to read the book to know it is plentiful in this book), I need to take a stand for truth. Jesus came full of GRACE AND TRUTH - you can't have one without the other. Feinberg did a very sloppy, unprofessional job with this article.

Having only recently come across the blogs about Rob Bell, and only reading very limited material from Mr. Bell, I am finding that most of what he says seems very vague. If he is as vague about what the Gospel is its no wonder lots of people flock to his stuff, no one has to feel guilt or repentance. I wouldn't pay to much attention to him if he was a college professor or professional theologian or philosopher, but he is a Pastor. I don't think as a Pastor or leader being vague or unwilling to take a stand is a good characteristic. When Peter preached at Pentecost he wasn't vague, Paul was seldom vague when he preached the Gospel and by no means was Jesus vague when he presented the truth. If Mr. Bell is really a Pastor, he needs to be willing to lead and feed the sheep.

There are many losers -- the countless people who have not entered into a joy-filled and bondage-releasing relationship with Jesus Christ and who now, based upon the behavior of so many of his followers, will stay even further away from Jesus.

This is the grave tragedy in all of this controversy. Yes, throughout the centuries many theologians have debated the balance between God's justice and God's love, God's holiness and God's mercy ... But it was done in the privacy of a home, in a small building, in a book that was only read by other theologians or seminary students.

Today, it is being done in settings that reach the masses. And the masses aren't impressed. Who would want to follow a jesus (small "j" intentional) who has such hate-filled followers? (I'm not speaking of everyone who has disagreed with Rob Bell; some have been quite gracious. They are in the minority.)

By focusing on their "I'm right and he's wrong" theological arguments, they miss the heart of the gospel.

Which is more important, having the right theology ABOUT hell or making sure the lives we touch don't GO to hell?

We're left to wonder if Feinberg dismisse Mark Galli of Christianity Today, and Al Mohler of Southern Seminary, and Pastor Kevin DeYoung as mudslingers. None of these reviewers sling mud, but all of them raise serious concerns.
Rather than engage the substance of the critiques, Feinberg inhabits a higher plain lumping all the critics together. That's not intellectually honest or fair minded, and it doesn't serve anyone.

Well, I've read most of the book, and I've got to say, the supposed ambiguity if Bell is greatly exaggerated. He's not ambiguous at all about what he believes the gospel is, who Christ is, and God's plan for the world. In many ways, this book can be seen as the sequel to Jesus Wants to Save Christians. Bell lays out a vision of the God's plan for creation and humanity that is grand in scope and something that I honestly find inspiring.

Also, I would add, that anyone who labels Bell a universalist after reading the book is simply not being honest.

@ Bob Meyers: not sure you are reading Feinberg correctly. She said that she (like many others) was aching for a clear and direct answer from Rob Bell, which she never got, and I would add is not likely to every get. Her bottom line is "He's so vague, I don't know what he believes...". I think that is a pretty fair appraisal.

I'm with you on the serious concerns raised by DeYoung and others. Rob chooses to not dialogue about this, but to do the "Jesus as rabbi" thing and answer questions with questions. Way cool.....yawn. I wouldn't pin any of this on Feinberg, though, I think she is pushing for a little more clarity, at least that's how I read her.

Greg R, you might be correct. I only read two alternatives in Feinberg's column though. Those who are throwing mud balls, and those who are diving in and building their own mud castles on the shore.
My main concern is the tendency of evangelicals to lump all of those who contend for the faith into the category of being contentious. Credible, serious, and fair-minded, reviews have been offered. And these are not slinging mud, nor are they building mud castles.
I appreciate Feinberg calling for more clarity.

@Monica. I think you may be onto something.

From here: http://orthodoxy21.blogspot.com/2008/12/heaven-and-hell-orthodox-understanding.html

Paradise and hell are not two different places. Such an idea is an idolatrous concept. Rather they signify two different conditions [ways or states of being], which originate from the same uncreated source, and are perceived by man as two, differing experiences. More precisely, they are the same experience, except that they are perceived differently by man, depending on his internal state.
This experience is the sight of Christ in the uncreated light of His divinity, of His "glory". From the moment of His Second Coming, through to all eternity, all people will be seeing Christ in His uncreated light. That is when "those who worked good deeds in their lifetime will go towards the resurrection of life, while those who worked evil in their lifetime will go towards the resurrection of judgment" (Jn.5:29). In the presence of Christ, mankind will be separated (like "sheep" and "kidgoats", to His right and His left). In other words, they will be discerning in two separate groups: those who will be behold Christ as paradise (the "exceeding good, the radiant") and those who will be looking upon Christ as hell ("the all-consuming fire" of Hebrews 12:29).
Paradise and hell are the same reality. This is what is depicted in the portrayal of the Second Coming [note: in traditional Orthodox Christian iconography]. From Christ, a river of fire flows forth. It is radiant like a golden light at the upper end of it, where the saints are. At its lower end, the same river is fiery, and it is in that part of the river that the demons and the unrepentant ("the never repentant" according to a hymn) are depicted. This is why in Luke 2:34 we read that Christ stands "as the fall and the resurrection of many". Christ becomes the resurrection into eternal life for those who accepted Him and who followed the means given for the healing the heart. To those who rejected Him, however, He becomes their separation and their hell.
Among the patristic testimonies, Saint John of Sinai (of the Ladder) says that the uncreated light of Christ is "an all-consuming fire and an illuminating light". Saint Gregory Palamas (E.P.E. II, 498) observes: "Thus, it is said, He will baptize you by the Holy Spirit and by fire: in other words, by illumination and judgment, depending on each person's predisposition, which will in itself bring upon him that which he deserves." Elsewhere, (Essays, P. Christou Publications, vol.2, page 145): The light of Christ, "albeit one and accessible to all, is not partaken of uniformly, but differently".
Consequently, paradise and hell are not a reward or a punishment (condemnation), but the way that we individually experience the sight of Christ, depending on the condition of our heart. God doesn't punish in essence, although, for educative purposes, the Scripture does mention punishment [note: as corrective chastisement]. The more spiritual that one becomes, the better he can comprehend the language of the Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Man's condition (clean-unclean, repentant-unrepentant) is the factor that determines the acceptance of the Light as "paradise" or "hell".

-----------
So, I have a feeling Bell may not be challenging the biblical reality of eternal judgment at all, but only the unOrthodox ways in which many modern Christians (including the Reformers) have learned to understand this final judgment, where it is perceived as a division in God's dealing with us, rather than a division in our responses to God. The latter is the Orthodox understanding (following the early Greek Fathers).

Bell, of course. He's gonna sell a LOT of these, even to his critics.

"Who do you think wins?"

Well, here is how I look at it...if the book's author trumps the books message, then it's all about the author, and the book is just a series of reference points to reinforce the authors position.
If the book trumps the author, then the author is irrelevant, and thereby, the book stands on its own merits for good or ill.

Me...as far as who wins...in every case dealing with a book and it's author, the winner is always the publisher.

An author only gets about 1% or less of book royalties, usually, they're paid up front unless they have a stellar agent who negotiates a higher royalty package.
Rob pretty much got his money already, now he has to do the foot work for the publisher in order to get another book deal.

When did faith become a competition?
Iconsider myself a MethodistBuddhist. The middle path is my choice.

Rob Bell was on Morning Joe today. The reactions to this created such a firestorm that this "discussion" moved from the insular evangelical world to the mainstream.

Bell's critics have helped him get a larger platform to do the very thing they were hoping to smack down and stop.

Irony abounds.

I'm actually quite surprised at the reception this book is getting. Universalism, in its many forms (including inclusive Christian exclusivism), has been discussed for years (e.g., Thomas Talbott's The Inescapable Love of God, Gregory MacDonald's The Evangelical Universalist, and Jan Bonda's The One Purpose of God: An Answer to the Doctrine of Eternal Punishment, each of which is much clearer and more tightly argued for). I must agree, though, that it's disheartening to see such histrionic reactions from people who haven't even read it.

Well, Nathan, that is part and parcel of Rob's pitch to the publisher, "Yo/ I'm hip/I'm hop/I'm over the top/ lovers to the left/ haters to the right/you'll be in the money 'aight!"

As long as Mr. Bell remains controversial, and willing to shill for the publisher, the more books he'll be writing and shilling for.
I suspect that a lot of people here, whether they think he's G-d's gift to all of mankind, or that he's a delusional hukster raking in the dough at the expense of his supporters, they're all going to find exactly what they are looking for in his book.
It doesn't really matter to the Publisher what you think...as long as you buy the book.

"Satan doesn't care which extreme you choose, just as long as you choose one."
C.S. Lewis

This only raises more questions than it answers. Why did Bell choose a secular publisher for such a theological issue/discussion? Especially, regarding a subject of increasingly critical importance given the exponential growth of people wondering what the future holds and the proximity of "The End". Why promote this book through the MSM (mainstream media) - Newsweek and MSNBC, for starters. My pastor answered Bell's question some time ago: What does one have to do to go to Hell? Answer: Nothing. Once you reach the Age of Accountability you are already headed there unless you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. No one is going to Hell because God "sent" them there, but there most assuredly will be a greater population in Hell than Heaven. I believe the vast majority of the world's population from the 20th and 21st Centuries will be there because we are, in the words of a cover story last year in New Scientist, in the "Age Of Denial".

Another incident where making money using the name of the gospel wins!

I realize that after this many comments, the one at the bottom is not likely to be read (by anyone). Yet, here I am.

Part of me really wants Rob Bell to say in no uncertain terms what he believes. But I see some problems in WHY I want him to.

If he states a view that doesn't line up with my own, I can argue it. I can attempt to "save" him. I can declare to the world that Rob Bell is wrong. I can disown him.

If he agrees with me, I can feel a sense of comfort that I am right - as proved by Rob Bell. I can stand with him and argue against the masses.

Why else would his oppinion matter so much to me?

Margaret-

Do you actually read all these comments? :)
The lines between “us” and “them” will likely deepen. But they are part of a system or empire of sorts. Imagine a huge old building… with cracks in the foundation. The us&them lines are foundation cracks in this thing that’s collapsing anyway. We’d might as well go ahead and bring it toppling to the ground, and get on with embracing the new.

I believe people are leaving the church in droves, because we have put God in a box of doctrines and dogma that are more important than what the Bible has to say. We defend such doctrines to the point that if somebody doesn’t agree with us, they’re sure going to hell. Jesus (my Lord and my Savior) talked about the intentions of our heart. He never gave credence to our flashy services and professional worship. He talked about conscience. Like the sinner and the religious man in the temple. It’s not about outward appearances, it’s about knowing that we cannot reach any kind of “holy” living apart from His grace. Yet, our pharisaic traditions weigh more heavily in keeping our lives in check with the God of grace. And yes, I believe in His justice too. But in my years of walking with Jesus, He’s shown me more mercy than He’s been just. Had He chosen to be just, I’d be fried, dead, obliterated. His message was love. And it welcomed everybody. Now, perhaps not everybody will choose to take His grace and continue their path to hell. We need to open our minds and be less heaters of people we disagree with.

I actually think the way this conversation has gone toward universalism distracts from the deeper issues of the book: Rob’s understanding of the nature of God, Jesus, and salvation itself. To be sure Bell is arguing for a universal salvation—no, Rob you can’t redefine the term universalist like you’ve done in every interview so far! The bigger issues in this book are about God, Jesus, and the nature of salvation itself.

This book is deeply troubling because of the significant theological and biblical suggestions Rob makes regarding the nature of God, Jesus, and salvation itself. He has unleashed a spiritual and theological tsunami the likes of which will have lasting consequences, especially for my Grand Rapids community, which deeply saddens me as an area pastor.

I for one am tired of Rob Bell getting a pass for the story he tells. At this point Rob is not simply asking questions, he is giving answers, ones that are far outside the historic Christian faith and compromise the Holy Scriptures. He is not simply adding to the conversation, he has hijacked it to the point where I wonder at what point is the conversation no longer even Christian.

Jeremy,
I found myself "Amening" at every one of your poignant points! I think if we had lived at the turn of the century, (19th to 20th) we would have seen this with the "German higher criticism." This is where Satan will continue to get the victory - when we listen to his voice as he says once again, "Did God really say.....?" When man tried to exalt his thoughts over the written revelation, he is ultimately exalting his mind over the living revelation - Jesus Christ. But the one who has continued to blind heart and minds will keep plugging away. J.P. Moreland says that "spiritual strongholds" are anything set up in our minds and feelings about the TRUE nature of God - this is exactly what Bell and many of his friends have done. My heart goes out to you in Grand Rapids, but faithful is He who called you and He will bring it to pass - hang in there!

"He is not simply adding to the conversation, he has hijacked it to the point where I wonder at what point is the conversation no longer even Christian."

I think the reason you are feeling...what are you feeling?
Betrayed?
Angry?
Sad?
How much trust, intellectual currency have you invested in Mr. Bell?
Some?
A little?
A lot?
I found out something about us as human beings over the past year which was quite the surprise for me...we worry over things we have no control over.
We also get angry over things we have no control over.
We lash out, we snarl, we gripe, we pitch things across the room all because we lack the control over things we should know we have no control over.
It's a control issue.
I have it, and you have it too.
You cannot control Mr. Bell, nor can you control the people who listen and hearken to Mr. Bell's pied piper song.
You can only control what you do, what you believe, what you have faith in. That is all you...your control over yourself is all you can control, and correct if you find fault within yourself.
Sure, you can put your message out, but you have to do it in a way that allows the other person control over what they choose.
If you brow beat them into the ground...all your doing is subjugating them to your control.
So...find a constructive way of countering Mr. Bell's error that respects the ability of people to control their own choices.

Sure, you may fail to get one person to reconsider their ways, however, you may also save someones life who later on will come back to the fold realizing that they had been led astray.

Faith in G-d's ability to call to peoples soul is done through prayer, and if you are the vehicle he does it through...then flow with it. But know you can only control yourself, enjoy that ability...it is an amazing and freeing of the spirit and soul of a person to know what you can and cannot control.

Who wins? Rob wins. The publisher wins. The people who follow him win. Why does it matter to anyone else?
Here's another view on the topic, where an interesting conversation is developing. Your comments are welcome!
http://www.reliefjournal.com/2011/03/16/love-wins-unless-god-decides-youre-evil/

I am going with...”It’s not those parts of the Bible I don’t understand that scare me — it’s the parts I do understand.” — Mark Twain

Perhaps this isn't so much about what Rob Bell himself believes. Maybe he is fighting for what we all are allowed to think (and still be welcomed at the table). I think his personal ambiguity serves our community well by giving a whole range of real questions and present fears permission to come out of the shadows. Who are we pretending that we, our churches and ourselves, are not haunted by things we're not allowed to say? There is a "Rob" sitting next to you in church - is he welcomed to journey with you? How big is the table? How broad is Christian History? How diverse are followers of Christ? And shouldn't we all expect to be surprised with who all is feasting with us in the end?

Great job Rob! Thanks for being a voice for those types of us not represented behind most pulpits. Those of us who suspect Jesus really is loving us, even while we're doubting Systematics.

How dare somebody question the Bible? Should we just go through out life and blindly believe everything preachers tell us without researching it ourselves? I for one am glad their are pastors like Rob Bell because it makes me actually dig deeper into God's word instead of accepting my weekly scripture from Sunday's service.

Jose, yes, Bell raised questions with you and others exactly like satan did with eve in the Garden of Eden. And of course, he didn't provide you with any answers either. He just wants you questioning God, satan's ploy, or perhaps he would have given you answers, because the answers are out there. If I, as a housewife, can recommend several resources on something like this, and I'll just name a few, Bell can't? If he were my pastor, I'd be very disappointed. He is supposed to be a leader, not asking questions that he should know the answers to, and he should be educating his flock.

There are many books written by people like Norman Geisler, who was a dean of a seminary for many years. Geisler doesn't leave you hanging. Josh McDowell also has books providing answers to a lot of Bible questions. Paul Little's "Know What You Believe" is also pretty good. There are lots of good books out there.

There isn't anything wrong with researching why you believe. There is a lot of tremendous evidence for the Bible, many thousands of very early manuscripts, which matched up with many more manuscripts that were found later, and were written at an even earlier date, the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Hopefully, if you truly believe, the Holy Spirit has affirmed with you that God loves us very much, and sent His Son, to come here in the flesh, to live a perfect life, to be a sacrifice for our sins, so that by believing in Him, we are saved.

Why don't you check out a book such as "From God to Us: How we Got Our Bible" by Norman Geisler and William Nix, who are both highly respected. Norman Geisler has written close to 100 books and is an excellent writer and scholar. After you read this book, you will be amazed by the evidence for the Bible, and how the books of the Bible came to be canon. Jesus quoted from every book of the OT except from the book of Esther. Jesus evidently believed the OT, and so do I. Rob Bell didn't provide any answers, all he did was leave people with questions, and some even questioning their faith, something exactly like satan would do. His job should be educating his flock.

Joanna, if you are talking about me, please don't make assumptions about me! We are supposed to stay on *topic* here. I could easily write just as much or more about God's love, his mercy, his attributes, and many other topics. I love God with all my heart and soul.

You may recall that Jonathan Edwards was a famous preacher in the Great Awakening. He wrote what is commonly thought of as one of the greatest sermons of all time, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Edward's preached the Biblical God, and many were led to a saving faith.

Many pastors in our time talk about God without mentioning God's coming judgment and wrath. This leads people to be actually worshipping a false god, an idol, not the God that tells us who He is in the Bible. Judgment and wrath are mentioned many, many times in the Bible, and yet it's ignored.

I love God with all my heart, and it's not at all based on fear. It is based on His grace and love for me and His promises. We are told that we will be saved if we believe that Christ died for our sins, and we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Satan does everything he can to distort who God is, and to have people doubt the very basics, just like how he said to Eve in the garden "God didn't really say that, did He?" Pretty much what Bell is saying too. Because Bell knows or should have been taught the basics at Wheaton. There's nothing at all wrong with people having questions about the Bible, etc, but the pastor should teach his flock, not confuse his flock.

The Good News is Love Wins!

blessings & giggles

How many times shall we wonder if Rob is off track. This has been coming for several years with Rob and should not surprise anyone. Unless Rob had some personal meetings or hallucinations like the guy in the 7th century, Luke 16 probably still applies from the 1st Century out of the creators mouth. God is love, yes, but what constitutes God, is not love but may venture to guess that love is from God. Holy, Holy, Holy is what the angels have been saying for eons not Love, Love, Love. We want to think that just loving and giving is it. Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things I say (foundation is very shaky). The term Lord is used massively more in the NT than Savior (loving one to deliver). Clearly the message of the NT focuses on more than "Love Winning".

Why does someone have to win? Take it for what he has written, digest and leave it open for conversation. Maybe, just , maybe, it will open the door to discussion that may lead someone to having a relationship with Christ.

I'm half way through reading the book at the moment. I must admit I am loving it. This book does not fall outside historic orthodox Christianity in all that I have read so far.

This book deserves a fair reading and a fair hearing. Must say that I agree with Peggy - its far more likely to end in someone asking questions and moving towards God.

Will be writing (yet another!) review of it when I have finished it.

Let's not forget to pray for the boy in the puddle.

DISClAIMER: Haven't read the book yet.

That said: in the "Hey, whatever works for you, man!" world of America, universalism is one of the greatest threats to Christian faith. And probably one of the greatest reasons people are walking away from the Church. I don't know if I would agree or disagree with Rob Bell. I do know that the discussion itself is worth having.

I was incredibly frustrated with that interview with Bell. I have admired Bell and his ministry for quite some time - he is a master communicator.Too bad he has been unable to master the actual content he communicates. My friend said it best - if he contributed this book as an academic paper, it would not survive peer review.

"Aionion." This form of the Greek word translated "eternal" appears identically in Jesus' words, both in John 17:3,"This is eternal life..." and in Matthew 25:40-42, when he describes "eternal fire." In his book, Rob spends some time describing "aion" or "age" as more of a season or segment of time. Yet, the Greek is consistently translated "eternal" in both scriptures mentioned above. So, as Rob is fond of asking, and Mr. Bashir has also had occassion to ask, I now ask: "Which is it?" A period of time, or forever? I'm not thinking Jesus' life, ministry, passion and resurrection were all accomplished so that we might get to know him for a while...

Watching that interview made me wonder. Is this the same Rob Bell I've learned so much from over the last couple years? On podcasts he digs into scripture, peppering his teaching with explanations of the original language and historical context. I agree with you that the book interview seemed to meander around with little point or with the thought-provoking lessons I used to get from listening to his sermons.

What is going on?