Comments on: Did Rob Bell Really Say…?

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:32:03 +0000

What a powerful statement, Philip: “You can’t just ask deep theological questions without, in the end, impacting the theological beliefs of your readership. And to claim that that is not your goal is either naive, irresponsible, or deceitful.” Wow!

And apologies on the mid-air jump confusion. What I meant was that it’s one thing to make a jump on solid ground – these are healthy theological questions that elevate God. It’s another thing to presume you could make a mid-air jump theologically – these are random theological questions that elevate our minds. Mario’s double-jump seems to be the closest we might ever get to that, short of using a “platform” (double meaning).

By: Philip Hawkins

Philip Hawkins — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:58:42 +0000

Thanks for the insight from someone who has more experience with Rob Bell and his history.
I didn’t quite follow the mid-air jump analogy (tho I dig the Mario graphic). The problem I see with this “questions” approach is that he’s not merely asking questions. His questions are rhetorical and intended to cause others, not to ask the same questions, but to come to certain conclusions.
I’m all about asking tough questions that dive deeper into our assumptions, but eventually you’ve got to reach some substance. So I don’t buy into the justification that he’s just asking questions. You can’t just ask deep theological questions without, in the end, impacting the theological beliefs of your readership. And to claim that that is not your goal is either naive, irresponsible, or deceitful.
I’d also point out that what Bell said about loneliness isn’t actually a claim of the bible. So I agree that he’s trying to say something biblical while kicking the bible, but what he said isn’t biblical. Marriage is not about satisfying loneliness. While the bible says, “it’s not good for man to be alone,” it’s not talking about the same kind of loneliness. So Bell is actually substantiating the culture’s view of marriage by claiming that the bible says something about our needs. Btw, God is not there to fill our loneliness either. That we have a deep sense of loneliness in the absence of God doesn’t mean that his purpose in our lives is to fill that. At least I don’t know of any scripture that implies that. The truth is our purpose is to glorify God, and we do that by reflecting his triune nature in marriage. Companionship is a means not the ends. Sorry for the lengthy comment.

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:06:10 +0000

In reply to Isaac Lilly.

Wow, Isaac – well summarized. Thanks for the feedback, too. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…” but we do hold those in a role of leadership accountable for “the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition.”

By: Isaac Lilly

Isaac Lilly — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 21:38:50 +0000

This is a refreshing commentary on Bell. I’ve seen way too many people absolutely lose it on the guy after pretty much just reading the title of another negative article about what he said. My problem with Rob is that he poses spiritually meaty questions to people who can only handle spiritual milk.

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 15:47:13 +0000

In reply to Terrace Crawford. Thanks, Terrace. And it only stands to reason... we need to ask great questions even about the great question askers. ;)

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 15:46:23 +0000

In reply to Chris Richards. This is a great thought, Chris. Sometimes our theology is more informed by our story than God's story. It always will be to some degree, but perhaps if we're aware of the gap we can reconcile it with greater surrender.

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 15:45:06 +0000

In reply to Jay lloyd. Thanks, Jay! Appreciate your comment not only on this article but on the blog name, too. Have a great week!

By: Chris Richards

Chris Richards — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:41:19 +0000

I think we all need to be careful to not think of Jesus as “The American Jesus”. what I mean is Calling on or using Jesus when and where we need Him. I got this, I got this, wait Jesus I need you for this etc… I believe that it is also the same with God’s word. to many people spend way to much time twisting scripture to fit them or their circumstances. I pray for Rob and His wife that God touches them in their ministry and re-routes the thinking of distorting His word. Rob in the past has done some great things and I pray that in the future he does the same.

By: Tony Myles

Tony Myles — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 03:52:25 +0000

In reply to Tim Hallman. Thanks for commenting, Tim. I need more than you simply saying the illustration doesn't work, though. Otherwise, it comes across as a way to discredit without substantive interaction. ;)

By: Tim Hallman

Tim Hallman — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 02:33:40 +0000

Your Mario illustration doesn’t work. Neither does your clever play on questions from Satan and Cain. It comes across as a way to discredit Rob without substantive interaction with what he is trying to do. Maybe I missed it, but Rob still strives to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Even if he is wrong on the marriage thing, it’s from an attempt to do missio work. Missionaries on the other side of the world stumbled forward trying to figure out how to Christianize pagan cultures. It seems like Rob is taking the Bible just as serious as ever. But how to apply? There is clearly room for disagreement on gay marriage in Christianity, but apparently not in evangelical Christianity.