rob bell.

This is a rather difficult blog for me to write. Challenging and daunting to say the least. Today John Piper, a man i greatly respect in the faith sent out a tweet reading "farewell rob bell" along with a link i will include at the end of this blog. The article attached speaks of how bell's next book was influenced by a member of a church saying that "gandhi is in hell". The blog that follows is not concerning Mahatma, but rather the greater question of universalism and the influence Bell's latest book, "love wins" and the ideology it holds will have on my generations earthly and eternal message.

First, id like to start by saying Rob Bell never had a greater advocate than Bre Little. I've been a huge supporter ever since reading "velvet Elvis" for the first time in college. It made so much sense to a questioning college student, even making the Christ id followed my entire life remarkably more accessible. There is actually an entry in my phone titled, "rob bell hater" because I believed this person had unfairly judged bell.I know rob bell's books, teachings, and videos have held that type of influence on many 20-somethings and beyond. I have a friend with no desire to be part of any religion or denomination that loves bell because of the quality of the NOOMA videos. Within my generation it would be difficult to find someone who yields more influence, so it is with great regret I have to disagree with him today.

Universalism is the idea that a loving God would not subject anyone to punishment or harm. This type of thinking generally dismisses the idea of hell completely and, in John Bevere's words, call upon a "big cover up" grace that covers every sin. I think this is a beautiful idea. Having dealt personally with the tragic suicide of a young cousin, it would at times be nice to rest assured I'd never have to as a difficult question about faith ever again because everything was taken care of and everyone got to heaven in the end. It enables individuals to live reckless lives with not consideration if the life to come and the example of holiness Christ set.

Seeing as bell is still considering himself a Christian, lets throw the word of God into the mix and see how dangerous this conclusion is:

1.) universalism voids the need of humanity a savior.

Romans 3;23-"for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god." the new testament goes on to state that there is, "none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10) humankind needed a savior, this is the message of the old testament, the history of the Jewish people. God brought the prophets to foretell to the children of Israel that one day the Messiah would come, inhabit flesh, and redeem what was taken in the garden. Later, Christ would come and say that he did not come to abolish the law of the old testament, but to fulfill it, to make it go further so we could rely on the work of the holy spirit in our lives to live a godly life.

2.) universalism devalues the need of Jesus Christ for entrance into heaven.
The word is clear that the only way into Heaven is through salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we MUST be saved" (acts 4:12) No amount of good works or wise words can gain ones entrance into heaven. Jesus is the entry ticket, the blood of the cross gives us access as sons into a place we could never work ourselves into as slaves. John Bevere says, "you'd be wise to do the 'should do's" (in the bible) but you'd be a fool to not do the "must do's". Salvation comes through no one other than Christ.

3.) universalism makes Christ only another teacher (like gandhi) and removes the value of the death and resurrection.
The cornerstone of Christianity is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection there is little clout the Christian faith can place above Islam, Buddhism, or other religions. Muhammad and Buddha said wise things that can be applicable to lives just as Jesus did, however the defining concept of Christianity is that we serve a Risen Savior. If universalism is truth, than it makes little difference which earthly god we serve or if we choose to serve earthly passions because we will all end up in the same place regardless.

4.) universalism neglected any need for holy living and life-change after accepting Christ.

My final point against universalism is taken from Matthew 7:16 that states we will be known as Christ's by the fruit of our actions. Holiness is the reaction to a changed life in Christ, it is coming up to his level of living. 1 Peter goes even further, urging us to "be holy as I (god) am holy". The urging and need for a holy life cannot line up with the thinking bell seems to be promoting in his new book.

All that being said, I still want to believe the best of bell as he has been influential in my personal Christian walk, however my fear is that this will lead a generation into lives of darkness, pursuing their own wills without regard to consequences or what is holy.

In all honestly, I have a hard time listening to John Piper preach. Piper is so bent on holiness i have a difficult time understanding how i could ever measure up to the level he is setting in deed and word. I Do, however believe the greater need today is for a generation to wake up and say, "how holy can i be?" not "what can i get away with?"

Louie Giglio preaches that we need to start talking about Jesus more because everyone has a "god". Most everyone has something that they serve daily. What makes us special, what sets the children of the most High apart is that God has a name...JESUS.

Can everyone go to heaven?? YES, through Jesus!!

So I plan to not criticize bell and act like I have it all figured out from this point forward, but rather to carry the name of Jesus the same way I carry a Louis Vuitton purse...everywhere.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/02/26/rob-bell-universalist/