This review is broken up into three sections: In the first section I will give a brief synopsis--an overview of the book's movements and main points. The second section will be my space for comments and personal insight, and the final section will be where I will suggest some possible applications and moving points that the book could create.
I. What's going on?
The big question that Rob is wanting to answer can be summed up as follows: Is God like an Oldsmobile?
Or, in other worlds, is God old fashion? Has humanity outgrown our need for God? Was God relevant to life at one point but now no longer needed because we have things like science and government?
Rob's answer is no, but, for this to be shown, he thinks that we need to rework the way that we think about and talk about God.
Rob shows this by splitting the book into 4 sections:
- Intro: Chapter 1 (Hum)
- Set: Chapters 2 & 3 (Open, Both)
- Backbone: Chapters 4-6 (With, For, Ahead)
- Now what?: Chapter 7 (So)
1. Intro
There is little that needs to be said here. Typical intro and set up work going on in the first chapter. And, as usual, Rob's writing is captivating--I always find myself wondering how anyone can write with such eloquence.
2. Set
This section is where things really start to take off. I titled it "set" because the two points that Rob wants to make here is the God is open (chapter 2) and God is both (chapter 3), and these points form the base for what Rob calls the "backbone" of the book (section 3).
God is open meaning, God isn't this closed reality we think he is. If you are one for quantum mechanics and theoretical physics then this chapter is for you. Also, this chapter should (and hopefully will) blow your mind (unless you are a theoretical physicist of course).
God is both--close and near. In this section Rob explores the paradoxical nature of God. Sometimes we feel like we know God but yet he also seems too far away and mystical--all at the same time! We can talk about him in words, and yet he seems to transcend all words. Here Rob also talks about how we even describe our own feelings and experiences.
What Rob is trying to show is that God is open and moving and that he (and life) are both physical and spiritual. All of this to move to what he really wants to say...
3. Backbone
Here is the real meat of the book. The main points that Rob is wanting to communicate are the following:
God is with us. He isn't some sort of being that is floating in space, but rather he is close and intimately involved in our very existence.
God is for us. God being with us is because he is for us.
God is ahead. Not only is God with us and acting for us, but he is also ahead of us guiding our way and bring humanity closer to himself.
4. Now what?
So... what do we do now? That is exactly what Rob does in this section, and he says it better than I can, so I'm going to leave that up to him.
II. Thoughts?
This section is less important, so if you want to stop reading here, feel free. However, I would appreciate comments so I can know how to improve my reviewing skills in the future.
What is my opinion? This book was needed. It does several important things for Christianity. (1) It challenges Christians to think about God in relation to some of the cutting edge research in science. (2) It shows that God may work differently than many of us think. This includes both Christians and non-Christians alike. (3) It shows God's transcendence yet reminds us of his immanence. What does this mean? God is above all and beyond all, however, he is also intimately involved in life and sustaining his creation.
If I had to rate this book among other books in pop-Christian culture, I would place it at the top of the field. Not only does Rob write beautifully, but he also communicates a deeply needed message within American, evangelical Christianity.
This is also possibly Rob's best book. I can't say this with complete confidence because it has been a while since I have read his earlier ones. It rates up there with Love Wins--maybe not as controversial--but just as needed.
III. Real Life?
This section may be the most important...or maybe not.
What do we do with this book? What do we do with Rob Bell?
Well...Rob has been deemed a heretic by much of the evangelical world. He effectively set himself apart from most of the church with Love Wins. However, is Rob really a heretic? I don't think so. Without going too far into this issue, I think we need to remember that God isn't as "black and white" as we think. Also, the Bible isn't as black and white either. This is where Rob comes in. He is really good at reminding us of this, and in such a beautiful, poetic way!
So...this book. I think we should share it. If you like how this book sounds, share my review with your friends. Even better...buy the book and then share it. If you don't want to share your copy, recommend it to a friend.
Rob's books may not be the best books out there, but they point to something bigger. A movement... Not just any movement, but the movement of the body of Christ, his holy, catholic church. The Western Church must move or we will die. I know I'm not going to miss the bus, will you?
Hope this has been helpful. I want to write more of these, so if you enjoyed it let me know. It will encourage me to read and write more. Also, please feel free to comment. I love conversation and would love to talk about these ideas more, especially after you read the book.
Chris, great to see your reflections. I only have one thought. Rob Bell has openly went against the foundation of scripture when he states that people can make a after death choice to believe in Jesus as lord and savior. If we believe the bible to be true than what Rob is saying is false, no matter how much he is saying that is right. This would make him a false teacher. Jesus in revelation is very stern as he talks to the people who accept false teachers. Would this not be considered accepting a false teacher?
ReplyDeleteAlso can you explain what you mean when you say "the western church must move or we will die" and what does it mean to "miss the bus" how will we miss the bus?
Mike, thanks for taking time to read and comment. It means a lot that you would take the time to do so. In regards to your question, I'm not entire sure that Rob has stepped outside of Scripture with his postmortem reconciliation ideas. There are traditions in the church that do hold to this interpretation (not that this is a favorable reading of the text). The approach that I have chosen to take with Rob is one of trust. I trust that he is genuinely pursuing God and that the Holy Spirit is working through him. There may come a day when I can no longer say this but Rob hasn't gotten there yet. As of now I think he is a good balance for evangelicals.
DeleteAs for the "Western Church must move or die" comment. This was my way of speaking emphatically for the most part. It was more of an exaggeration in some ways but I also believe it can carry a lot of truth. Many churches fail to move with the world and they die. New stats are coming out that show that the West (US and Europe mostly) is no longer the center of Christianity. While the church continues to grow in Africa and other parts of the globe that used to be the realm of the "missionary" the church is shrinking in the west. As for the missing the bus part. I just meant we can either realize that the church in the US and Europe is dieing and respond or it will continue on until it dies.
Chris, thanks for your review, man! I'm going to order this book and try to read it as soon as the semester winds down. I'm in a spot in my faith where it sounds like this book can articulate my frustrations and help me move beyond some shortcomings. I appreciate the notion of a progressive faith where the truth does not change but the application does. In Velvet Elvis, Bell talks about all truth being God's truth. In light of recent scientific awakening, I think that the Church needs to embrace science and claim scientific truths for God. Returning to a Pre-Modern worldview is disastrous. Not only to God and God's message for us in the 21st century, but also for intelligent people who reject Christianity because of its anti-scientific views.
ReplyDeleteMike: If a post-death conversion is not possible, C.S. Lewis is also a heretic in your definition, and some Roman Catholic theology could be heretical. I'm not saying you are wrong in your assessment of postmortem conversion. I do think, however, that there are ways of discussing this issue and disagreeing without labeling people as a "heretic." This fierce theological in-grouping and out-grouping is counterproductive.
Thanks for your reflections, Chris. Keep up the hard work!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, Christopher. :) Looking forward to reading the book even more now. :)
ReplyDeleteMike--Good questions to ask. Here are just a couple of thoughts I had regarding your comment. Yes, we do need to be careful of false teachers. However, should we classify Rob Bell as one? I'm not so sure we should. First, a lot of the passages in Scripture, specifically in the NT, that address the issue of false teachers deal with combating those teaching gnostic thoughts, as well as those being heavily influenced by some of the mystery religions and other cultic practices that were occurring. So while we do need to be careful of false teachers,discerning false teachings is not as easy as it may initially seem because the false teachings that were an issue in the NT are not necessarily the false teachings we are talking about in this case. We also need to be very careful at labeling people as heretics. I think we tend to throw this word around too much. Also, Rob Bell does not directly state many things...he likes to just throw questions out there to get people thinking and challenge people. Love Wins is not a book full of heretical statements, but rather a book that asks the questions that we should all at least be thinking about. It is a book to provoke thought, not necessarily to state truth. Overall, what Rob Bell teachers seems to be closer to the gospel than what the majority of American evangelical pastors seem to be preaching. I would argue that far too many pastors are teaching that which is very distorted from the true gospel. Rob Bell may not be right about everything, but it seems that God has given him a special gift to offer something beautiful in our faith that is often forgotten or pushed aside.
Chris, thanks for taking time to address my thoughts. First, I want to say that your blog aout pop culture christian books was great. The books are great and bring great thoughts to different ideas but they are not doctrine. This is were I land with Rob Bell.....does he have some good things for us to think thru....yes. The problem has become people placing the doctrine of Rob Bell higher then that of scripture and when the two collide it is looked at as good food for thought, not that it is false. So if the if the numerous scriptures that support a real hell that people go to based upon the choice to not accept Jesus death as payment for sin before they die....then what Rob is saying is false....not just good food for thought.
ReplyDeleteZach, I would agree that it is counterproductive to argue about things that debatable like, should a person drink or not, smoke or not, baptism by submersion or sprinkling, things that are not core. But if scripture says that the blood of Jesus Christ covers all sin....past present and future and that you make a personal choice to accept or deny this before death, then the Catholic Church is teaching something that is false. Unless 2 Maccabees, and the Decree of Union, Council of Florence hold the same weight of scripture. So my point was not to call out anyone, but to ask the question, If someone is teaching something that is false to the fondation of what scripture says are they a false teacher? It cant be that they are both right in this issue, one is right and one is false....this is not a gray area.
Meagan, I understand what you are saying, Rob is very vague in what he says, leaving room for interpretation....and some things should be left up to that, but if we say that the bible is truth, and it clearly states its position then we should not make it vague but clear. Also, I see your point of being careful to not label people, but is that not what your doing when you say...."Overall, what Rob Bell teachers seems to be closer to the gospel than what the majority of American evangelical pastors seem to be preaching. I would argue that far too many pastors are teaching that which is very distorted from the true gospel." Is that not labeling evangelical pastors?
Love the discussion, hope your guys have a great day.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteFirst, the Bible does not necessarily state this position clearly. Christians throughout the past couple thousand years have take multiple angles on this. With that, the different in what I said about many evangelical pastors is that I don't think they're heretics; I may disagree on many things, but I don't think they are heretics. People can disagree with Rob Bell, but I think calling him a heretic is taking it way too far.
Just my thoughts. :)