Rob Bell's New Book Sparks Controversy In Christian World

cnn.com:

Rob Bell, a pastor and author who has achieved rock star status in the Christian world, is preaching a false gospel, his critics say. And some of those critics are Christian rock stars in their own right.

Read the whole story: cnn.com

Comments

[American Air]

01:34 AM on 03/13/2011

This proves, evangalican christianity is pure eviI!

[Atomicjim]

09:08 PM on 03/06/2011

This is like the Brothers Grimm arguing over whose fairy tale is the truest. Once upon a time. . . .

[thunk]

07:11 AM on 03/12/2011

Actually I find that it has a relevance to the human experience. If you think that you ARE the autonomous "I deciding" in your mind, and don't go beyond that it, then it is irrelevant. But if you understand that the physical human body/brain does what it does mostly because of what it is, and only partly because of what is occurring in its own consciousness, then religious mythology makes more sense. If God stands for that which compels us towards that which we understand as the good, then what stands for that which compels towards that which we understand as the bad? If good behavior brings us closer to God then where does bad behavior bring us? Is there some point in denying that we are capable of both?

[Bruce Forbes]

09:03 PM on 03/06/2011

I believe the longer one ponders the Gospels and things divine, the closer one gets to a "universal outlook" about faith.
Why do people get offended if someone not like themselves is going to heaven?

[alitwoshoes]

03:43 PM on 03/06/2011

I've noticed for years that if you say there is no hell with eternally burning souls that God is a loving God and does not have that in mind for those that choose not to love and obey him...then you are asking for a round of hateful attacks like nothing else you can bring up. There is so much invested in the idea of Hell and Hell fire that the believer in that just won't yield to the many Bible verses that teach that in death the dead know nothing and the essence of that person is as one that is sleeping. They want their enemies to be tortured forever.

[ninetailedfox]

07:08 AM on 03/07/2011

taking the way the threat of hell makes people think you want to convert them, especially if you happen to be a christian. that is why people attack.

[Edward Goodwin]

04:42 AM on 03/06/2011

Here comes the infamous, "Well, I haven't read that particular book, but I think..." Just from reading the article, I would say that what Rev Bell has written about is heretical. BUT....Is he wrong? I don't think so, but that's me. The charge of heresy is largely political anyway. Yes, I understand the position that his view challenges what many Christians consider to be bedrock doctrine. I understand that many Christians consider this fundamental Divine Revelation and not something that is open to speculation or revision.

But that doesn't change the fact that it's human beings who are getting upset, human beings who will pass judgment on him and human beings who will use the earthly powers of the earthly church to punish him. In other words, it's political. God will NOT descend from Heaven to either punish or reward him.

His detractors will say, "He's going to hell himself if he doesn't recant and beg God's forgiveness." But they can't prove that. It's only wishful thinking and what they choose to believe on their part. What they CAN do is make life unpleasant for him here on Earth with letter writing campaigns and suchlike and tell themselves that they are merely acting as the Vessels of God's Will.

[New Yorker]

11:35 AM on 03/05/2011

From The New Testament, Acts of The Apostles, Chapter 10, Verse 34 begins . . .Then Peter (Saint Peter) proceeded to speak and said, " In Truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him. "

(Continued in Post Below)

[New Yorker]

11:34 AM on 03/05/2011

(Continued from Previous post)

After explaining who Jesus is, and that they, the Apostles were the ones who witnessed that Jesus was still alive after being dead for 3 days, Saint Peter continues with verse 42 which begins, "He (Jesus) commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His Name."

These passages show that no one is automatically condemned if they Fear God and are themselves righteous good humans, and rather are acceptable to God. It then states that "Forgivenesss" for we less righteous people is found by believing in Jesus. The idea that ONLY those who believe in Jesus in this world can be saved is then NOT the case, as those who Fear God and are Good and do not know Jesus are acceptable to God as Saint Peter said. Peter was making these statements to a Roman Centurion who Jesus called Peter to visit because the Roman was such a righteous man. So Jesus does recognize righteous people who are not Christians. In this there is No Ambiguity. People who Fear God, and Do Good in their life Go To Heaven. God does NOT condemn Good People who Fear Him.

[ninetailedfox]

12:09 PM on 03/04/2011

I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.
Susan B. Anthony

[New Yorker]

11:43 AM on 03/05/2011

God is alive, He hears the heartfelt desires of all who seek Him in truth. He will open the eyes of those who seek Him, and who are yet blind. Man does not do this, Jesus Himself, and the Holy Spirit whom He gave us. does that. Seek Him, and you will know the truth. Seek Jesus, not the men of this world and their ideas, but seek Jesus Helslef, He will not let you down.

[JDuck]

12:30 PM on 03/12/2011

And yet if God opens your eyes and leads you to a faith other than Christianity you are still going to hell.

[ninetailedfox]

11:55 AM on 03/04/2011

ALl christians call other christians false christians. its amusing to watch, but super sad if you are a christian thinking youre spiritual or something. Been there, done that.

[New Yorker]

11:44 AM on 03/05/2011

If you tell people that you are a Writer, or a painter and have no knowledge of either, it is correct to tell people that such a person is not a writer or an artist. Christians include people who don't act as Christ wants them to, and they fail to do as they were told to do. Not everyone is a Non-Christian, but people who do Evil, that's a very different story. Evil is the opposite of Christ, satan is No Christian, saying one of satan's disciples is Christian is a lie from the Father of Lies himself, not a mistake.

[ninetailedfox]

11:57 AM on 03/05/2011

Most christians have done many bad things througout history. By saying they arent false christians, you put yourself on thin ice. Perhaps it is true that all Christians should be judged the same, because all believe in Jesus and should therefore be treated accordingly.

[kareemachan]

11:25 AM on 03/04/2011

I listened to Carlton Pearson on 'This American Life', who espouses the same kind of Christianity. It really seems to get regular preachers' panties in a twist if they can't threaten you with hell.

[New Yorker]

09:55 PM on 03/05/2011

Belief begins with "Fear of God". Why ? Because Fear of God, who is Only Good is a very good thing. If you Fear God, you are not a butcher, a rapist, a murderer, a crook etc. because the consequences are simply too terrible to risk.

[mrkurtzhedead]

06:16 AM on 03/07/2011

So that is why you don't butcher, rape, murder or steal? Because of the punishment? Then you are utterly immoral.

You see I don't bleieve in god but I would never do any of those things simply because I don;t want to hurt others. Why is that not enough?

[ESerafina42]

03:38 PM on 03/06/2011

I once heard a rabbi say that he was at a serious disadvantage (in this case regarding fundraising) because he couldn't threaten his congregants with hell :)

[addisonsteele]

01:32 PM on 03/03/2011

At least the Christian churches have stopped drawing-and-quartering heretics or burning them at the stake.

[ninetailedfox]

11:56 AM on 03/04/2011

they still do it in Africa. Christians havent changed, they just go overseas to do things these days.

[New Yorker]

09:56 PM on 03/05/2011

OK, how about the evidence of these nonsensical claims ?

[ESerafina42]

03:38 PM on 03/06/2011

And Sarah Palin's pastor thinks that's an excellent idea!

[New Yorker]

07:33 PM on 03/09/2011

The Atheists just do it with so much more enthusiasm, it was bound to fade away. Take Hitler or Stalin of Chairman Mao, now they knew how to butcher people with zeal.

[scdumbfounded]

10:36 AM on 03/03/2011

Jesus is my Bro-chaco

[New Yorker]

09:08 AM on 03/03/2011

It is not really all that important what one man thinks. One man does not roll back the reality of 2000 + years of tens of thousands of Followers of Christ, including those in the very church that Jesus Himself founded, and anyone who 'Buy' the ideas that are just one more heretic crying out in the wilderness, is just another misguided soul. It has all been done many, many, many times before, nothing new in any of it. Heaven is Real, Hell is Real, and you still have to choose one or the other by how you live your life. Why ? Because you think Ghandi is in heaven but so then is Hitler, and Doc Mengeler ? Gimme a Break here ! God is no fool, and it is he who told us of Heaven & Hell, The Wheat and The Chaff, Fire and Water, and the free will that allows you to choose one over the other.

[kareemachan]

11:26 AM on 03/04/2011

Proof that hell is real, please.

[New Yorker]

10:05 PM on 03/05/2011

The testimony of the three children at Fatima who viewed hell on July 13th, 1917, and then described the horrorible sights and sounds, as only innocent children could. Read their account, and learn something for a change.

[Edward Goodwin]

04:47 AM on 03/06/2011

"Jersey Shore" He said, tongue firmly in cheek.

[ninetailedfox]

11:57 AM on 03/04/2011

It is not really all that important what one man thinks

Yes, Jesus is just one man, so I agree with you. Yes he was a man, he wasnt female, and he was born from a human woman. deal with it.

[New Yorker]

10:00 PM on 03/05/2011

Jesus was both man, and God, so He matters, especially since He is still alive.

He will come again in glory, and His Kingdom will have No End.

I hope when the time comes You won't have to Deal With It, because you won't have any ability to.

[RoughCollie]

07:23 AM on 03/03/2011

Well, I burst out laughing about this. Why? Because when his accusers write things like "I know what God is saying...blah blah" Really?? Does God twitter, send you e-mails, have a personal phone number? Absolutely nothing is known about "God" except for what human beings have created in their own human minds, decided was gospel then convinced others of their "truth". And for these "truths" millions of people throughout the ages have been killed. Label me a heretic...or fan me as someone with common sense.

[toocoolfoschool1234]

06:58 AM on 03/05/2011

fanned for being an awesome heretic