Is Rob Bell a heretic?
After reading some comments on the latest book by Rob Bell (Sex God) on another Blog, I decided to check out his first book, Velvet Elvis, which was also recommended before jumping into the new one. I have to say that most of what I read I thought was pretty good, I learned quickly that you have to read to the end of the chapter to get his full thought and conclusion to what he is writing about but even then there were a couple of things that caused me grave concern.
He speaks as if he has a lot of knowledge on all things spiritual and historical, many times tying in historical dialog and beliefs into the subject he is presenting. The problem is are these actual facts or just things he heard on the History Channel, which in my opinion is equivalent to Orwell’s History rewrite department from 1984. It is hard for me to believe after sitting for many years under many expository teachers that some of the stuff he is presenting is brand new information. I guess the only way to really know is to do the research myself which I’m sure he doesn’t count on too many people doing.
His biggest error in my opinion and that of my wife, who just finished the first book also, is that he does not appear to believe in a literal heaven or hell. He stated more than once that we are not going anywhere but that God is coming back here to us and we’re all going to live happily ever after in the new kingdom (my paraphrase). That my friends is Heresy! The bible is quite clear in 2 Peter chapter 3 that this current earth will be burned up and a new heaven and earth will be our inheritance, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from which the Lord will rule, not this present earth which according to Rob we are supposed to tend and get ready for his return. You’ve heard the quote many times I’m sure about those who are “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good” well, I propose that Rob is “too earthly minded to be any heavenly good”.
It’s a shame, because my wife had me get all of the Nooma, videos which have some good subjects and he does a pretty good job on plus his new book, Sex God, has some good food for thought but I think there is reason for caution. Remember a little leaven, leavens the whole lump and though it may seem like a little thing that he may be off on this one point it is still a big deal that deserves to be addressed.
He speaks as if he has a lot of knowledge on all things spiritual and historical, many times tying in historical dialog and beliefs into the subject he is presenting. The problem is are these actual facts or just things he heard on the History Channel, which in my opinion is equivalent to Orwell’s History rewrite department from 1984. It is hard for me to believe after sitting for many years under many expository teachers that some of the stuff he is presenting is brand new information. I guess the only way to really know is to do the research myself which I’m sure he doesn’t count on too many people doing.
His biggest error in my opinion and that of my wife, who just finished the first book also, is that he does not appear to believe in a literal heaven or hell. He stated more than once that we are not going anywhere but that God is coming back here to us and we’re all going to live happily ever after in the new kingdom (my paraphrase). That my friends is Heresy! The bible is quite clear in 2 Peter chapter 3 that this current earth will be burned up and a new heaven and earth will be our inheritance, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from which the Lord will rule, not this present earth which according to Rob we are supposed to tend and get ready for his return. You’ve heard the quote many times I’m sure about those who are “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good” well, I propose that Rob is “too earthly minded to be any heavenly good”.
It’s a shame, because my wife had me get all of the Nooma, videos which have some good subjects and he does a pretty good job on plus his new book, Sex God, has some good food for thought but I think there is reason for caution. Remember a little leaven, leavens the whole lump and though it may seem like a little thing that he may be off on this one point it is still a big deal that deserves to be addressed.
posted by D.R. Miller | 7:10 PM
6 Comments:
Hey glad to see you're posting again! Haven't read anything by Rob Bell but my friend had mentioned to me his belief about continuing to live on earth.
Thanks for posting your feedback.
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I too read the Velvet Elvis book. The thing that struck me is that his comments about Jesus' Jewishness and how He taught concerning Torah were dead on. So much so that I wondered if he had plagerized my born-again Rabbi/pastor who teaches about the Hebraic beginnings of our Christian faith. But the rest of the book seemed more like Bell's own personal views of God, Heaven and Earth. Not too much scripture. Good to hear another believer's thoughts on this popular book.
Pastor Denny,
I just stumbled upon your blog and I have to ask, in love, are you sharing the Nooma videos with your congregation? You've stated that Bell believes things that you consider to be heresy. I agree! I think this is a serious problem in congregations. Pastors are saying, "I don't agree with everything Rob Bell says, but..." and they go on to use his materials in their ministry with that disclaimer. Somehow that makes it OK to use the teachings of someone who at best has a low view of scripture and at worst is a heretic! You wisely mentioned the yeast...I think you're right on! What a lot of youth pastors in particular fail to understand, is that their media-smart students are able to listen to Bell's pod casts online and hear the non-scriptural (including yoga-master techniques)along with the good.
More Than that, Pastor Denny, Rob Bell believes in universalism, IE that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient to welcome us all into this heaven. He also states that we do not have a corner on the truth, in fact, that truth cannot be known. Forget evangelism; it is more important to make people happy, healthy, and fed as they step off this world into a Christless eternity rather than offending them. For more info on some of his beliefs, check my blog (www.thedowngrade2007.blogspot.com) as well as sliceof laodicea.com. I will say again that I believe that all Rob Bells books are good for is to line a bird cage. His nooma dvds can be use for coasters or frisbees.
I think we ought to re-examine our historical theology and question the concepts we have accepted from the Dark Ages interpretations. We might be surprised to find out what Jesus audience was actually comprehending.
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