Rob Bell's 'Love Wins'. A thought, maybe two.

First, an overview: my understanding of Bell’s perspective, in his new controversial book, Love Wins.

Hell is the situation, or setting, we find ourselves in or even create for ourselves when we reject the love of God. Hell is not eternal, however it exists in the present for those who intentionally or unintentionally turn from God, and it exists in the future for those who die apart from Him or reject His character, will, and grace. But, hell is not forever. For God so loved the world that He gave His only perfect Son to die on the cross for the sins of mankind, showed his omnipotence over death in His resurrection, and because His love is unending, God will redeem ALL past, present, and future humanity to a new heaven and new Earth with Him forever because of Jesus Christ. No eternal hell. No eternal separation from Him. EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and, on that day, love will prevail, only love, for God’s love wins.

That statement was a shortened version with way too many commas and sub-phrases, but I think it paints a clear picture of the vision Rob Bell casts. Overall, he offers a book that is very easy to read, very logical by its presentation, Scripture saturated, and will make you feel hopeful, perhaps inspired even, to make the most of your life in the present, awaiting the greatness of the life to come. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, part of this is the problem by way of the ‘facts’ he presents, or perhaps more so in those he doesn’t.

Ultimately, love does win. Christ is the victor, and through his payment and atoning sacrifice on the cross, He saves, by grace, those that whole-heartedly put persevering faith in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. I think it’s important to be a conduit of this same love and grace that Christ offers, apply it towards everyone (including Rob Bell, whatever his standpoint) and be cautious, considerate, and ultimately loving in our words, critiques, discussions, etc…

I do my best not to make outspoken opinions on controversial issues for which I am not learned or educated firsthand. I’ve read many accounts of this book from individuals I respect and trust the perspectives of, and have had many discussions on it myself, but still I try not to apply the easily-given ‘wrecking ball’ tactic of sorts to any perspective, Bell’s in this case, without first analyzing his account myself with what limited wisdom, Biblical knowledge, and experience I have at only 22 years of age. Honestly, I don’t think this aforementioned tactic is ever helpful, loving, or beneficial to the wrecker or the ‘wreckee,’ and in fact, I plan to apply quite the opposite.

So, Starbucks in hand at 1am, here’s my immediate take on this seemingly exploding topic (minutes after reading it), and we’ll start with ET’s ‘plus points’ of Mr. Bell’s transcript.

First, the author does not relinquish any praise due to God for His character throughout the book. It is saturated with making much of the kinder, perhaps more noble (from our fallen, human standpoint), aspects of God’s character such as grace, love, mercy, and patience. After all, this is what this book is about. Bell gives a beautiful (and almost completely sound) commentary on the story of the prodigal son, the remarkable character and grace of the father, and the apparent self-centeredness of the elder son.

The book is also very motivating, uplifting, and in consistent manner, offers hope and sympathy to the broken. He also makes much of the fact that the gospel, the good news, is not simply a ticket into heaven, but the true prize is found in the joy of relationship with Christ the savior, creator, and redeemer. Props to him for getting this right, and emphasizing the giver over the gifts! Overall, I think Bell feels very deeply for those who have been wronged by the church or are have a stereotypical naivety of the true meaning of the gospel. These groups are obviously his target audience, and he does well to draw them in, relate, and express the meaning of grace.

But, unfortunately, we have a negative in his doctrine as well: hell. A negative of itself, which Bell somehow flips into a positive by dismissing the negative. This then becomes the books negative and that of which, I’m positive. Follow?

What that really means is that Rob Bell simply denies the existence of the place of eternal punishment, which God has set aside for those unrepentant and unclaimed by the blood of Jesus Christ. His argument is that hell does exist, but it is the current state we live in, in the present and future when apart from God. In other words, the judgment and punishment of ‘hell’ are the painful trials, social injustices, emotional disasters, and continuous sufferings in life in addition to missing out on the life-giving blessings pursuing Christ whole-heartedly offers. He goes on further to explain that after physical death, man has further chance (in a seemingly other-worldly vantage point) to finally recognize Jesus as Lord. Matter of fact, in the end, as it describes in Philipians 2:11, it is stated that “EVERY tongue WILL confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This is Bell’s justification that God’s supreme, omnipotent love will redeem ALL of humanity, and because of Jesus’ sacrificial atonement, ALL will be saved.

I don’t think anyone really knows exactly what hell is like or will be, so I wouldn’t be so foolish as to point a finger at that issue but rather the one in which the unrepentant heart, without faith, in opposition to God in the present physical life (to, through, and after death) will still be saved by God. I think the Bible paints a metaphorical portrait of the opposite in John 10-11, among others, when Jesus describes himself as the shepherd of HIS sheep. So, in my opinion, the real heart of this whole enflamed issue is the loaded phrase ‘limited atonement’ (or ‘L’ in TULIP if you’re into such things) of who will be saved and who won’t.

My desire is not to make an incredible exegetical thesis for this point, but I think the Bible is quite clear (from my perspective) that there is this separation or distinction that God has predetermined or predestined in this regard. Several verses that state or expound on this are John 6:65, John 14:15, Romans 8:30, Acts 20:28, and Ephesians 5:25. If you wish to know more, please let’s talk or write, or I can provide resources to clarify.

But that will be enough for now…

There are plenty other issues wrong in this book and even more critiques, blogs, tweets, etc. seriously pinpointing these with fair and not-so-fair arguments, but I’ll leave that for you to uncover. To quote the dad of a friend of mine, “let’s try to chill a bit over Bell’s Hells in Love Wins. Take a run, work out, pray, have a beer or glass of wine… whatever we need to cool our heads and think calmly, coolly and critically… less heat, more light is what we need… and the love that covers multitudes of sins. Walk in love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Be completely humble and gentle, forbearing with one another in love.” (Props to Mr. Sims on this one).

God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.

And, in love and humility, I leave you with that.