The online world (at least the parts of it I visit) has been busy commenting on the video trailer of Rob Bell’s new book, “Love Wins.” I have a number of friends who are eager to read this new book. I know some people, who have been relatively, and perhaps prematurely, quick to confirm their suspicions that Bell is a false teacher on account of it. Still others have observed that this kind of controversy brings out the worst in Christians, and that’s a shame.
Me? I’ve seen the trailer, but probably won’t read the book. I’ve yet to find much from Bell that I find valuable, and as I don’t read enough of the books I want to read anyway, I have no plans to read this one. But I do have a few observations.
Quick and Slow Responses
To start, let me say, I’ve learned a lot from John Piper. I respect his opinion. If he is concerned with what Bell teaches, then I will be less inclined to listen to it. That said, I’m surprised that a patient, wise and gentle man like Piper was so quick to dismiss Bell after (not based upon) this trailer. It was a quick response, but then again, it was just a four-word tweet.
On the slow and thoughtful side, I’m looking forward to hearing D. A. Carson’s Q and A at the Gospel Coalition next month though. Apparently, he plans to address the topic of Rob Bell, Universalism and Annihilationism then. D. A. Carson is another very wise, generous man who I allow myself to be influenced by. I patiently await his response.
The Old (Answered) Questions
The questions Bell brings up in this trailer aren’t new. In fact, they seem similar to the old “Why does a good God allow bad things to happen?” type questions. Bell’s questions just take it further. “Why would a loving God condemn anyone to an eternity in hell?”
I’m astonished that more and more Christians (and not new Christians, either) are asking this type of question and answering it with, “Well, he won’t.” But even going back to why God allows suffering, isn’t this one of the questions that we answer earlier in our Christian life? Maybe not.
I suspect that Bell isn’t really asking that question though. I suspect he’s asking if God really does send people to Hell. And if his answer is that He doesn’t, I think I’d be more or less ready to write Bell off too.
Just Get Over It
Another topic this trailer brought up is how difficult it is for Christians to maintain civility when they disagree on certain points of theology. I’ve had disagreements with other Christians over theology, and it turned uncivil. Perhaps it’s because the points of theology we’ve disagreed on were ”non-negotiable” to one of us. All of us hold some central ideas in our understanding of God. It’s understandable that we refuse to say these things don’t matter. But just because the other person doesn’t hold that point as highly, they can’t expect the person who does to say that it doesn’t matter. Our core theology (our understanding of God) should matter a great deal to us, even if it doesn’t matter to others.
Because folks are still exploring the questions that Bell is asking doesn’t mean others haven’t answered them and determined they are fundamental to their faith. So when Bell asks these questions and encourages others to as well, of course you’re going to have people respond with the answers they’ve found. And if the questioners say, “Just take it easy, it’s no big deal,” the answers will understandably respond with, “It is a big deal.”
Which makes me wonder, are these questions that people are really seeking answers for, or do people like Bell really want to keep the answer to the question open for discussion without settling? In any case, if we’re asking the question, we should expect answers. And I guess both sides need to maintain civility in the discussion. I suppose that brings up another question: Can we deem someone a false-teacher and be civil about it?
What’s Love Got to Do With it?
One last thought about Love Wins. It seems to me that the title supposes that love is the attribute that defines God. Here’s my question to those who are certain in their theology that defines “God is Love.” Is that really His most important characteristic? What about justice, what about wrath, what about mercy? As I choose a single word to describe God, I don’t choose love. But not because God isn’t love, because I believe that there is a greater characteristic than love that describes God. God is Holy. And Holiness requires not only love and mercy, which is what I have received, but judgement, justice and wrath, which is what some may receive.
And that’s the end of my longest post. I wonder if anyone will read it.
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