One thing I know for sure is that Rob Bell has started a furious discussion on eternal life. I continue to be intrigued with what Bell’s book alludes to as far as our eternities and the ability to secure that this side of death.
I have read various reviews and depending on their support of Bell or not, you get a review heavily opinionated and passionate. I have yet to hear from Bell himself, whether it be in his writings or in an interview. Until today.
MSNBC’s Martin Bashir interviewed Bell recently and below is a video of that interview. What do you think? Is Bell judged before he arrives? Did he hire David Axlerod as his publicist? Did he really say anything at all?
From this interview I draw a few conclusions. One, Bell doesn’t say much. Maybe it is hard to lock a postmodern thinker down into one complete, absolute answer. That rings true with this interview.
Secondly, there seems to be more explanation needed if I am going to buy into this being a healthy book for the church. Lastly, Bashir brought it. He was intellectual, direct and appeared to want to save the dancing for prom. Bell is a very intelligent person. He looked defensive during this interview.
It is still hard for me to fall too hard on one side without reading the book, but based on the lack of explanation here and the reviews I have read from both sides, there will need to be more done to convince me this is a book worth reading for the church. Have you read the book? Can we make a decision on Bell without reading the work first? What were your first thoughts on the interview?
Dude, I loved Bashir in this! He did his himework and Bell looked like a moron. I think he hit the nail on the head when he talked about “here comes rob bell with his cool new gopel…” or whatever he said…
Bell wants to be controversial for the sake of controversy…that’s not gonna get him very far in the real world…maybe the postmodern christian world…but not the real world!
Totally agree with everything Mike said and let me just add that Rob Bell would make a great politician. He talks a lot and says nothing.
Nice post, Adam and well said Mike! Perhaps Derek Webb summed it up the best by saying, “You just can’t preach the gospel and not be confrontational. The cross is both beautiful and offensive, and it must be both … There is no other gospel for us to preach.”
Furthermore, I would add that while there is certainly room for us to let God be God as the ONLY One who sits as judge over man and what they did with what they knew during their life, Scripture is clear that we should devote our lives to making disciples and living to see His Kingdom come in its fullness. And as Derek says above, this will undoubtedly offend. We need to live out the Gospel in love, but regardless there will always be those that take offense at the fact that they are a servant of someone…either the REAL DEAL or only who poses as the Groom.
~ Trav
Love the conversation, guys. I agree Mike, Bashir was on top of his game in what he asked and how he asked it. The gospel is certainly both condemning and redeeming. Punishment is not forgotten with the gospel, it’s fulfilled by Christ. I have to believe that if the eternities can be changed on the other side of death then the life becomes less important as does the cross. Bashir tried to pursue that question to no avail.
I am wondering if Bell was prepared for this much push back or did he only see red through his rose-colored black frames. I read someone say that Bell “circles the theological runway like a plane with no landing gear.” I’d say that’s appropriate. I hope the conversation continues and that I’ll remain open-minded and yet grounded in truth and scripture.