Right now, the Christian world is abuzz with the release of a new book from the pastor of Mars Hill church in Grandville, Michigan, Rob Bell called, “Love Wins.” Even weeks before the book’s release, the promotional video promoting it has set off a flurry of parodies as well as responses to the premise of the book.
Many are accusing him of universalism, or the belief that Christ died for everyone, therefore everyone will be saved. Rob Bell’s beliefs from “Love Wins” aren’t quite that simple though. He claims he’s not a universalist, although he does believe everyone will eventually end up with Christ in heaven (see the video at the end of this post).
How can he claim everyone will be saved without being a universalist? By saying that God’s love will “win” over sinners post-mortum. Hence the name for his book, “Love Wins.”
Rob Bell’s disdain for the gospel that teaches that everyone who rejects Christ’s kingdom will burn in hell forever comes through clearly in his video as he asks, “Gandhi’s in hell? He is? And someone knows this, for sure; and felt the need to let the rest of us know?”
But he’s just asking questions, right? Unfortunatley, these questions sound eerily close to the original message delivered to Eve in the garden by the serpent, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)
We can picture the scene now as a woeful sinner walks into Bell’s office at his church for counseling:
Sinner: Hi, Pastor Bell. I wanted to speak with you about this guilt that I have. I can’t seem to get rid of it.
Bell: What is it that’s bothering you?
Sinner: Well, I grew up in a Christian home, and have always been taught that Jesus paid the price for my sins, and that I need to turn to him and repent, or else I will burn in hell forever. I feel guilty because I can’t seem to live right. I continue to fall into sin, and feel like a worthless sinner.
Bell: Who said that you’re a sinner? Who says that you’ll burn in hell forever for your sins? In fact, didn’t you just say that Jesus paid the price for your sins?
Sinner: Well, doesn’t the Bible teach that I’ll burn in hell someday if I don’t accept Christ? Are you saying that I don’t have to make things right with God before I die?
Bell: Think about it. God only told you in the Bible you’d burn in hell because He knows that if you knew that everyone will end up in heaven anyway, that you wouldn’t go to church while you’re here on earth. Maybe you’ll burn a little while. But God’s love is great, and His love will convince you either in this life or the next. That stuff you heard growing up is just a bunch of tradition meant to scare people, and make others feel more powerful.
Sinner: I guess you’re right. I mean, sinning is a lot of fun. Well in that case, seeya later pastor!
Bell: Seeya next Sunday!
Sinner: Next Sunday? Why bother? I’ll see you in heaven!
Bell then continues on in his video to speak even more devilishly. He goes on to undermine even further the words of God, even the very character of God:
And then there is the question behind the questions, the real question: What is God like? Because millions and millions of people were taught that the primary message—the center of the Gospel of Jesus—is that God is going to send you to hell, unless you believe in Jesus. And so, what gets, subtlely, sort of caught and taught is that Jesus rescues you from God. But what kind of God is that; that we would need to be rescued from this God? How could that God ever be good; how could that God ever be trusted? And how could that ever be good news.
Again, Rob Bell has taken another page from Satan’s book. The serpent began his message to Eve by subtly undermining Eve’s understanding of God’s word, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
Love Wins doesn’t present anything new. Rob Bell in his heresy, is doing nothing but his father’s work. The same work his father did in the beginning. He’s just the heretical flavor of the week. Like every other false teacher, he’ll be forgotten, but in the meantime, drag a whole bunch of people down with him.
Jesus’s words from John 8:39-47 aptly describe Rob Bell and his works. In this context, Jesus is telling a group of Jews including some Pharisees, that they are not Abraham’s descendants simply because they were born from Abraham’s physical lineage. In fact, he tells them that they have a different father altogether!
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
As Rob Bell’s promo video spells out clearly, biblical Christianity is unpalatable to men who cannot bear to hear God’s words. So, Satan sends a liar to draw in thousands of followers for which to deceive. They cannot bear to hear God’s words either. So what you essentially have at Mars Hill Church, is a church full of people gathered together in the name of God, but unwilling to hear His words.
His Youtube video promoting the book is a tribute to the postmodern rejection of absolute truth characterized by the biblical God. The same absolute truth that has set the world on fire. The same truth that has caused sinners to repent of their sins, or writhe in misery under the weight of God’s word.
When you hear Rob Bell speak, who do you hear?
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Our Family Soap Biz
