I was in the Local Lifeway bookstore Saturday and inquired if they would have Rob Bells book Tuesday. Their reply way "no but we will order it for anyone who wishes a copy". I plan on reading it along with my pastor. Out of curiosity how many of you brothers and sisters plan on reading it?
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I've got better things to read...honestly. Also, I refuse to buy into the marketing madness associated with its publication.
After reading a ton of reviews and watching many of his interviews I've pretty much got the gist. One day (in a couple of months) I'll probably get a copy through the interlibrary loan program of our county library. The book isn't a tough read, I read the first two chapters in about 15 minutes at B&N last week.
After reading a ton of reviews and watching many of his interviews I've pretty much got the gist. One day (in a couple of months) I'll probably get a copy through the interlibrary loan program of our county library. The book isn't a tough read, I read the first two chapters in about 15 minutes at B&N last week.
glfredrick
New Member
I can see how Bell would be attractive for some on this board, for his ideas are akin to many of the posts I've seen here, i.e., the supremacy of libertarian free will, etc. He just takes those same ideas and runs with them to a place that most people never get, which is stirring up a ton of controversy all over Christendom.
ReformedBaptist
Well-Known Member
I would read it if I planned on giving it a critical analysis or if it caught on in my church and the saints were being influenced by it. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste my money on it.
Glad to see Lifeway isn't going to carry/market the book.
Glad to see Lifeway isn't going to carry/market the book.
Ive been watching this phenomenon for decades now... It starts with pietism but never matures in the direction of Calvinism, so that there is a balance between heart & mind. It eventually gives way to liberalism & Rob Bell types. Of course this is an oversimplification but these trends do progress in that direction. Just pathetic.
I wouldn't buy it either..like someone said..if it was there to borrow or something I would just to see exactly why so many people are being influenced by this guy..but just from what i've read (articles), and what he's preaching to people..i think its all wrong and would not contribute a penny to his cause..
I have no interest in it. When I force myself to read (I do know how, but I don't enjoy it) I want to read something that will help me, not lead me astray.
freeatlast
New Member
I don't waste my time reading known error.
I have a copy, but I haven't had time to read it. I'm hoping to get to it within the next few weeks.
glfredrick
New Member
Here is the reason why we SHOULD read this book.
First, it is groundbreaking. Any source material for a new theology that we will be plagued with for decades ought be read while fresh, for several reasons; to actually KNOW what was or was not said by the original author, and to have the academic credibility to discuss the work from a position of knowledge instead of hearsay.
Second, Bell, for his theological faults, is a gifted communicator. We can learn from the method of his communication, but probably not so much from the substance he communicates.
Third, Bell's book is not completely a lie. There are some thought-provoking discussions within the pages, including an overview of the Evangelical church world with some pithy insights that we ought pay heed. In this case, discernment to "eat the meat and spit out the bones" is in order. I think that there is something to learn from Bell, if only arguments that lead to heretical thought if carried to their ultimate ends.
I do not advocate reading in such a way as to make Bell money... That means the library, etc.
First, it is groundbreaking. Any source material for a new theology that we will be plagued with for decades ought be read while fresh, for several reasons; to actually KNOW what was or was not said by the original author, and to have the academic credibility to discuss the work from a position of knowledge instead of hearsay.
Second, Bell, for his theological faults, is a gifted communicator. We can learn from the method of his communication, but probably not so much from the substance he communicates.
Third, Bell's book is not completely a lie. There are some thought-provoking discussions within the pages, including an overview of the Evangelical church world with some pithy insights that we ought pay heed. In this case, discernment to "eat the meat and spit out the bones" is in order. I think that there is something to learn from Bell, if only arguments that lead to heretical thought if carried to their ultimate ends.
I do not advocate reading in such a way as to make Bell money... That means the library, etc.
I feel much the same way. I will not buy books that I disagree with. I will be happy to borrow a copy from someone and read it if asked but I have read numerous bloggers and reviewers who have read the book who are honest and balanced and most of all Biblical. It's just not worth my reading time. Instead, I'll continue reading my other books. Right now, that book is "The Doctrine of the Word of God" by Frame.
Rob Bell is in the money making business by coming out with controversy in
"Christendom".
I'm not about to contribute a single cent of hard-earned God-given money and make somebody with a theology like his rich.
Wow.
This comes across like you somehow truly know his motives.
I trust you are not actually assuming you know his heart.
A couple of quotes from Bell:
On the Virgin Birth:
"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births?
But what if, as you study the origin of the word “virgin” you discover that the word “virgin” in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word “virgin” could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being “born of a virgin” also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"
-Velvet Elvis, p. 26
On Faith:
“Who does Peter lose faith in? Not Jesus; he is doing fine. Peter loses faith in himself. Peter loses faith that he can do what his rabbi is doing. If the rabbi calls you to be his disciple, then he believes that you can actually be like him. As we read the stories of Jesus’ life with his talmidim, his disciples, what do we find frustrates him to no end? When his disciples lose faith in themselves..... Notice how many places in the accounts of Jesus’ life he gets frustrated with his disciples. Because they are incapable? No, because of how capable they are. He sees what they could be and could do, and when they fall short it provokes him to no end. It isn’t their failure that’s the problem, it’s their greatness. They don’t realize what they are capable of....God has an amazingly high view of people. God believes that people are capable of amazing things. I’ve been told I need to believe in Jesus. Which is a good thing. But what I’m learning is that Jesus believes in me....God has faith in me.”
-Velvet Elvis, pp. 133-134
On the Virgin Birth:
"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births?
But what if, as you study the origin of the word “virgin” you discover that the word “virgin” in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word “virgin” could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being “born of a virgin” also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"
-Velvet Elvis, p. 26
On Faith:
“Who does Peter lose faith in? Not Jesus; he is doing fine. Peter loses faith in himself. Peter loses faith that he can do what his rabbi is doing. If the rabbi calls you to be his disciple, then he believes that you can actually be like him. As we read the stories of Jesus’ life with his talmidim, his disciples, what do we find frustrates him to no end? When his disciples lose faith in themselves..... Notice how many places in the accounts of Jesus’ life he gets frustrated with his disciples. Because they are incapable? No, because of how capable they are. He sees what they could be and could do, and when they fall short it provokes him to no end. It isn’t their failure that’s the problem, it’s their greatness. They don’t realize what they are capable of....God has an amazingly high view of people. God believes that people are capable of amazing things. I’ve been told I need to believe in Jesus. Which is a good thing. But what I’m learning is that Jesus believes in me....God has faith in me.”
-Velvet Elvis, pp. 133-134
From what I've heard I think we have a Universalist pushing his agenda, although he denies it.
You all seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUvw2McL8g
Sounds like he is preaching another gospel to me...
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.
That's what Jesus said.
I've listened to his videos, and I don't need to read the book.
So I know what I say when I open my mouth and type the words into the system.
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