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Christianity Today, April, 2009 |

The Giant Story

Rob Bell on why he talks about the Good News the way he does.

Interview by Mark Galli | posted 4/22/2009 09:01AM

Rob Bell's latest book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians (Zondervan, with Don Golden), is his most substantive yet. It's nothing less than a holistic, biblical theology of salvation—written, paradoxically, ...

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Bill H

Posted: May 05, 2009 12:30 AM

Perhaps Rob is referring to the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance) which is so noticeably absent in today's Christianity. That would accomplish some of what he seems in search of. Trying to emulate these things is, as the Borg would say, "FUTILE". The Spirit can only accomplish them supernaturally as we deepen our relationship with God through Christ. Our hope reaches beyond this life, which allows us to live above life’s circumstances, and offer that same freedom to the world around us. Responding to people's needs would be one way to share the fruit.

Rob Willmann

Posted: May 04, 2009 9:28 PM

What's really sad is that his answer to the question of the Gospel and twitter doesn't even sound close to: God demonstrated his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5;8). I am fairly certain that verse would fit in twitter. The problem is that Bell, McLaren, Padgitt, and others have jettisoned the belief that the Bible is inerrant, or even that it is the inspired word of God. This is rather ironic, considering Rob's church is called Mars Hill BIBLE Church. Grow a spine! Preach the Gospel. It still works.

Joanna

Posted: May 04, 2009 3:37 PM


His 'twitter' version of the gospel was no gospel message at all.

John	Posted: May 02, 2009 8:30 PM

I admire Bell's emphasis on works, but too often I think they're muddied by naive political activism and diluted by a reluctance to acknowledge the most basic tenets of the Christian faith because it's, well... not that trendy to talk about depravity and repentance. Statements like "more people than ever have died from bombs in the last 100 years." Really? Yeah, I would imagine - bombs weren't real popular prior to 1909. This guy gives me a headache.

WonderfulWOW

Posted: April 29, 2009 3:41 PM


Unclear.

Wondering

Posted: April 28, 2009 6:12 PM


I wonder if part of Bell's success is due to the fact that his church is right outside of Grand Rapids. There are more Christian Reformed Churches out there than there are sands along the shores of lake Michigan. I wonder if things would have been different if he had tried to do the same thing in New York?

Josh Rodriguez

Posted: April 27, 2009 11:22 AM

While I agree with many of his comments/social observations, I can’t help but question some of his main points. Social change is NOT the objective of Christianity (neither was it Christ’s and if so, he failed miserably). It’s as if he’s seeing the wonder of Christ and enjoying this relationship which he received the “traditional way”, then slamming the traditional way, challenging us to transform our hedonistic, decaying society. But guess what, no matter how many miniature “God” impulses people feel, they usually choose to live by their own definition of liberty over subjection to Christ. Christianity is a call to die to ourselves and to find that new freedom; only then, will our world experience a taste of heaven. True life begins with death of the self, with recognition of sin and it’s mastery over us, and our need for salvation OUTSIDE of our selves. Social change is an EFFECT; one of the many results of fellowship with Christ, because He changes us-that is Christ's Gospel.

Chris

Posted: April 27, 2009 11:21 AM

Did anyone hear Rob speak anything even remotely close to the Gospel that Jesus preached? The only thing he seemed to articulate is his mysticism. I thought pasters were suppose to explain what the bible teaches not ask more questions and confuse people. I will try to articulate the gospel for those of you reading this since Rob could not. Although I have never been to seminary, I do read the bible. God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it. He created the first man and women and they were deceived by Satan and they sinned. Since then all of mankind is fallen. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god. God could not leave sin unpunished because he is Just and Holy. For the wages of sin is death. Now it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. But God so loved the world he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him and shall not perish. Repent and believe the Gospel, turn from your sin and trust the savior.

Icy Rhoads

Posted: April 27, 2009 9:57 AM


Mr. Bell ... mine you aren't ringing!

petraon

Posted: April 27, 2009 2:50 AM

impossibleape: "Rob is obviously trying to wrestle with the truth. most Christians have no idea what that means or wish somehow to abdicate their responsibility to seek, lay hold of and wrestle meaning from it." That is a pretty insulting thing to say about "most Chrisitians" . Why would Rob Bell struggle with the truth more or less then any other Christian? Rob Bell is struggling with the Truth of the Gospel ..period. He wants to "reframe" it according to his will not Gods'. Many any of us are tired of emergents trying to redefine Jesus Christ and His children in a bad light. He does need to apologize for thinking his knowledge is higher then God's. Don't make light of the death and resurrection of our Lord. And you should apologize for even suggesting the "what has been passing for the gospel is mostly sanctified selfishness. " God is not weak! Ever.

David

Posted: April 26, 2009 9:29 PM

I am sorry, I mean no offense, but we the Body of Christ need far less eloquent ways of saying things (about saying things) and far more action. I pray that all His Bride would look far more like Simon Peter's mother and being healed, get to work. Kirkegaard was right when he said that we'd be lost without "christian scholarship" to hide behind. I think Rob Bell is brilliant, but why do we even waste our time voicing our opinions about his opinions-if not to his face, as his brothers? "Christian" makes a great noun, and a horrible adjective...Let's quit playing religion and do the work of the ministry. "Well done, my good and faithful word processing, prose deducing, gem of a grammatical mastermind... ... ... who, by the way, said 'Jesus' from time to time!"

George

Posted: April 26, 2009 6:32 PM


Pray that Rob Bell will be faithful to Jesus Christ, not the culture.

Basil

Posted: April 26, 2009 10:21 AM

I like the essence of what Bell is saying yet I think that there are plenty more out there that can articulate it much better like N. T. Wright. Me thinks that sometimes Rob deliberately makes an effort to be ambiguous so that he can adapt his message to what he believes the postmodern culture needs. Being a mystic should leave no room for intellectual laziness. Be clear when you can be clear. Stand on the shoulders of giants when needed and then when all else fails accept what you can't explain as a mystery that goes beyond human words.

Mark	Posted: April 26, 2009 9:58 AM

Christianity has changed with the culture ever since it was started. And Jesus didn't start his own religion. The faith of the likes of Hank Hannegraaff will die with him. Rob Bell, Brian McLaren and others yet to come will take the faith into the next 100 years. It won't look anything like it does now and that is a good thing. Literalists have a hard time with a guy like Bell, because they can't handle not having all the answers. God is mystery. Lots of questions, few answers. That's life.

Stan	Posted: April 25, 2009 9:14 AM


Sad...must be a tough life as a Pastor, when you feel compelled to address God as, a higher power, somebody bigger than me...

Romans1

Posted: April 24, 2009 8:57 AM


This is drivel...no, this is heresy. Bell's statements, and those of Mark Galli, are so anti-Biblical, it is amazing. They are the epitome of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism described in another article on this very website.

ET	Posted: April 23, 2009 8:09 PM

Rob Bell cant say anything clearly because he is a wave tossed to and fro, wishy washy whatever sounds relevant and "mystical" philosophy jargon that appears to try and make faith some new relevant thing because society needs it reexplained. Reading Rob Bell is like words that are ADD skipping this way and that but never coming to a strong conclusion. If he did, you could show his errancy.. GOD IS, WAS AND WILL BE FOREVER He doesn't need some one to make it new and relevant. IF YOU DON'T STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH YOU WILL NOT STAND AT ALL. Those are God's words! Isaiah 7:9 If your definition of your faith is fluid as his appears to be-YOU CERTAINLY CAN'T STAND.

Dieter Fischer

Posted: April 23, 2009 7:49 PM


What's wrong with dreaming up your understanding of God? Joseph dreamed. In Joel we read of old men dreaming dreams, God's Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh. No Catholic, Baptist or Anglican Spirit. All shall know the truth. Why is everyone so critical of Rob Bell? Friend from Adelaide, Australia

david

Posted: April 23, 2009 5:33 PM


he does not sound biblical.

petraon

Posted: April 23, 2009 5:31 PM

Here is some real news......A young minister staying true to God's Word and making a difference. "Through Unfashionable, the south Florida pastor makes the case for Christians to make a difference in this world by being different from the world. He explains what it means to be out of style in the culture, to pattern ideas, beliefs, methods, and tastes in alignment with God’s ways and not the world’s. He also makes a passionate plea for Christians to stop trying so hard to be cool, to fit in, and instead be courageous enough to be different. Truthfulness, not trendiness is what new generations are thirsting for,” Tchividjian writes. “They want to know there are people out there with their sights set on a different world." http://www.christianpost.com/Entertainment/Books/2009/04/young-c hristian-leader-makes-case-for-unfashionable-churches-23/index.html

Josh	Posted: April 23, 2009 2:47 PM


Does anyone know where the line for the haters is? Oh, right here? Sweet.

Jack	Posted: April 23, 2009 1:06 PM

To the person making the comment about "wishy-washy social gospel": I respectfully invite you to do some research of the "social gospel". The writings of the early proponents of the social gospel are available for free via goole books (google, "walter rauschenbusch"). The term is mis-used today to mean some sort of liberal apostate as oppposed to a true christian who is always conservative in every way. Rauschebusch had thoroughly biblical faith and connect the gospel with very real concerns like social justice and economic concerns-timely, considering our current situation. Just because we are bombarded with the message from christian radio and some high profile ministries that to be christian is to be a conservative in every way, does not mean it was always like this or that this is the christ-like way to be

Mike S

Posted: April 23, 2009 12:22 PM

As a pastor of a new and fairly emergent (at least in style) church, and being the same age as Rob Bell, I completely identify with the critiques of the American Church. I grew up seeing the problems in the problems, but I am afraid of his fixes. He seems to think that we need less biblical language and less identification of the truth, where I tend to think that we need more of it. Furthermore, I am much less worried about dying fundamentalism and even evangelicalism in their ivory towers, than I am about Rob Bell's wishy-washy social gospel. Churches who refuse to reach out in real ways to their neighbors with the truth and love of the gospel eventually die or become marginalized. Bell though goes out and reaches people with a gospel that is hard to distinguish from the message of the world. Rob, How are people redeemed? Why do they need to be redeemed? Who does God say He is? People need clear biblical answers not religiousity or simplistic "God is love" messages.

David

Posted: April 23, 2009 12:10 PM

I see no need to add or subtract from God's Word... it is perfect as it is. People either chose to believe and be saved by it, or reject it and perish. The New Heaven and the New Earth he speaks of will not happen until this present generation is judged; and after Jesus rules on this world in Jerusalem for 1,000 years then destroys all the children of rebellion. Then, and no sooner, all of existing creation will be consumed with fire, and God will place His Children within a new creation.

Opal	Posted: April 23, 2009 11:56 AM

I agree Charlie, being way over 50, I am scratching my head asking" Huh...what on earth is he talking about"? Is it that I lack intellect, or what ? It seems that Rob Bell is understood perhaps by the 20 and under crowd. Understanding Biblical truth should not pander to being under 20. It is the same yesterday, today, and in the future. So, what is this man believing and saying? ....perhaps something he has dreamed? Perhaps, he just wants to frame something New Age? I will quote the other contributor, Charlie. "I wish Rob wasn't so purposely vague:!

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