* Rob is dealing with an issue that our generation of world traveling, socially conscious, compassion and justice oriented people wrestle with deeply.
* Most of the Christians I know in the pews believe in some kind of soft universalism. The problem is that it is based on feelings and social acceptance more than their study of the Bible.
* Rob is trying to develop his theology of heaven and hell using the Bible. He does seem to be going in the direction of of a mild universalism (most probably go to heaven) and conditionalism (immortality is based on who we are and what we do with what has been revealed to us).
* Rob does a great job showing us how little we know about heaven and hell and invites people to question their certainty.
* I think it is important to be clear about where we can be reasonably certain and humble regarding where we cannot be quite so certain.
Here are my conclusions on this topic:
1. The Bible is clear there is no salvation (an idea that is far bigger than just going to heaven) except through Jesus (John 14:6).
2. The Bible is not quite so clear about how much of Jesus a person needs to know or profess. Hebrews 11 is full of people, Jews and Gentiles, who had never heard of Jesus and they are with God right now.
3. We are responsible for sharing and responding to the truth that has been revealed to us (Luke 12:47-48). Sharing the gospel, making disciples, responding to the gospel, becoming a disciple matters for now and the age to come.
I am grateful that Rob has written this book, if for no other reason than it will get more of us talking and studying what the Bible has to say about one of the most burning theological questions of our time. Let's pray God uses this book to take us deeper into our appreciation for his unimaginable love and wisdom displayed in Jesus Christ. May love win as many dialogue on this topic.
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Good post, Ron. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI really like that Ron. Thanks for sharing a balanced and thoughtful review.
ReplyDeletePastor Ron, you know I love you and your vision for spreading the message of Christ. However, my concern is that Jesus spoke plainly about Heaven and even more so about Hell. Jesus came to bring a 'sword'!!! A sword separates.....Light from Darkness-Sheep from Goats-Wheat from Tares-Saved from Lost. I have met allot of cool people in this world and don't wish Hell on any of them. Unless they come to know Christ no amount of "feel good" Universalism will save them. Rob Bell is a great thinker but, I would caution anyone who reads his or any other book. Nothing should cause us to add or take away what Gods Word is.......and that is Truth. I dislike dogma and sounding like a "closed minded Christian". The reason I caution, is people who profess to believe in Christ are telling others that some sins are not sin. That The Bible was written a "certain way", "a long time ago" all in an effort to be inclusive! I say this not to be a jerk but to remind people......The Bible (Gods Word) Is NOT an All-Inclusive book! We all want to believe that only Hitler, Child Molesters, Rapists, Serial Killers, and that guy at the DMV are the only ones going. Gods Word is that many not a few but many will come to Jesus on that terrible day and say "Did we not cast out demons and perform signs in your name"!!? The most horrific reality is Jesus' answer to them....."Depart from me workers of iniquity for I NEVER knew you"!!! This in and of itself is enough to bend the mind of anyone who claims faith in Christ. If that is whats going to happen to "many" good people what makes anyone think there is a "sliding scale" when it comes to Hell?
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing about this book and anxious to get my hands on it. Saving it in my Amazon cart until I can make a $25 purchase for the free shipping! I'm cheap that way.
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