Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here is the trailer for the new book that sparked all of the controversy.
Justin Taylor’s blogpost heard round the world
But it is better for those teaching false doctrine to put their cards on the table (a la Brian McLaren) rather than remaining studiously ambiguous in terminology.
So on that level, I’m glad that Rob Bell has the integrity to lay his cards on the table about universalism. It seems that this is not just optimism about the fate of those who haven’t heard the Good News, but (as it seems from below) full-blown hell-is-empty-everyone-gets-saved universalism.
Tim Challies review
If Love Wins accurately represents Bell’s views on heaven and hell (at least if our understanding of the book accurately represents his views on heaven and hell), it reveals him as a proponent of a kind of Christian Universalism. He would deny the label as he tends to deny any label. But if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well, you know how it goes.
MOST HELPFUL! Kevin DeYoung’s extensive review
Unfortunately, beyond this, there are dozens of problems with Love Wins. The theology is heterodox. The history is inaccurate. The impact on souls is devastating. And the use of Scripture is indefensible. Worst of all, Love Wins demeans the cross and misrepresents God’s character.
At the very heart of this controversy, and one of the reasons the blogosphere exploded over this book, is that we really do have two different Gods. The stakes are that high. If Bell is right, then historic orthodoxy is toxic and terrible. But if the traditional view of heaven and hell are right, Bell is blaspheming. I do not use the word lightly, just like Bell probably chose “toxic” quite deliberately. Both sides cannot be right. As much as some voices in evangelicalism will suggest that we should all get along and learn from each other and listen for the Spirit speaking in our midst, the fact is we have two irreconcilable views of God.
And if you’re still reading, these are some of the thoughts that I have expressed along the way.
Son since we spoke on the phone I have reviewed your blog RE Mr. Bell’s Love Wins. I was surprised when I heard the book addressed by AFA radio. I am no theologian, but we know they have been presented with the gospel and still pervert the Good News. Having recently read Chan’s Crazy Love and having more developed my mental picture of Holy God, how can they think Holy God loving us so much that he found a way to reconcile us sinners to Him is mean? Do thnk it takes so little to do? Can they not fathom that there is a price to redeem all sins now and in the future for those that accept the gift? That the cost would be huge? That God would pay the price by taking on flesh to become the perfect sacrifice?
Can you link to the reviews, all I found was the screen shots, but I may be missing something.
Love,
Dad
The titles of the reviews themselves are links.