Rob Bell, Love Wins

[Miriam]

That customer review section over at Amazon is incredible.  People are really getting into this, discussion the Greek, discussing the theology, discussing the emotional import.  I think you can post answers to particular posters as well.

Go for it, guys.  :happygrin:

I've spent half my morning reading there and am only up to page 5 of the 14 pages of reviews.  :grin: I love it that the debate has been opened up like this.  :bigGrin:  I could stay reading all day but need to get outside and mow the lawns.  :grin:

[urpilgrim]

Mariam .... "mow the lawns".  :thumbdown: Why do you have to use such language?  :mshock:

31 degrees in beautiful southwestern Ontario.... no grass cutting here for at least six weeks. :happy3:

:laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:

Don't scare me like that. :happygrin:

[Miriam]

31 degrees in beautiful southwestern Ontario.... no grass cutting here for at least six weeks. :happy3:

It's a typical English Spring over here and the grass is growing apace.  :mshock:

I had a brief discussion about "Love Wins" today with some of our local church leaders. I didn't want it to be brief, but when I mentioned "Rob Bell's new book" one of them had never heard of him, let alone his book, and one of the others said, "Oh, some people are accusing him of being a universalist" at which point there were a few eyes cast to the ceiling and a couple of moans and the discussion moved on.  :sigh:

Later, in a discussion about something else, one of them dismissed something as "heresy" and I wish I'd been brave enough to challenge him about the use of the word. I don't know what others here think, but knowing that word has its root in a Greek word for "choice" and strictly speaking means an opinion at odds with what's generally accepted means that it's not necessarily a bad thing. I guess we're so conditioned to that by phrases like "damned heretic."

I realised as well how much I appreciate the open and accepting way that things are discussed here. Kind of spoils you for discussions elsewhere sometimes.  :winkgrin:

[WhiteWings]

50+% of the Bibles I checked use the word sect instead of heresy. But you are right the it also means choice.
Because for most people heresy is a synonym for blasphemy next time you should answer: Jesus was crucified for heresy.
:sigh:

[Kimberlaina]

Coming out of lurkdom for this one . . .

I live in a suburb of Grand Rapids and drive by Mars Hill Church probably 4 times a week.  I have seen those "Love Wins" bumper stickers for years and years now and always kindof wondered if they meant what I thought they meant.  I was pleased to find out that they do.   :icon_flower:

I also find it fascinating that Bell doesn't call himself a Universalist.  I think the word "Universalist" has been pretty much monopolized by Unitarian Universalists, and is thus associated with multiple paths to heaven.  Personally I don't mind the term, because the Universe is God's wonderful creation and I believe that He will redeem it all.  I consider myself a Biblical Universalist.  I also believe that he who controls the language often controls the message, so I don't like to let those who disagree with me define or choose the term that I will be labeled with.  Just my  :2c:.

Being intimately familiar with the religious culture of Western Michigan, I greatly admire Bell's courage in making his beliefs public.  I am excited how this debate is transforming Western Michigan and all of Christianity!  Love NEVER fails!   :girlheart:

[Miriam]

I also find it fascinating that Bell doesn't call himself a Universalist. 

It's because he feels that the term implies that what you believe doesn't matter, and that Jesus and the cross don't matter. Which is absolutely not what he means.