Why is Rob Bell considered a heretic?

icy_crusader · May 27, 2008

I picked up a copy of Velvet Elvis expecting to be disgusted. Amongst my Bible believing friends and mentors, he was considered to be humanistic and not Biblical. But, after reading through it, I don't see the problem. Some of his ideas on spirituality go out there a bit, but everything else seems like sound doctrine. I read Mark Drischoll actually added Bell to his list of emergent heretics. Am I being fooled?

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

icy_crusader said:
I picked up a copy of Velvet Elvis expecting to be disgusted. Amongst my Bible believing friends and mentors, he was considered to be humanistic and not Biblical. But, after reading through it, I don't see the problem. Some of his ideas on spirituality go out there a bit, but everything else seems like sound doctrine. I read Mark Drischoll actually added Bell to his list of emergent heretics. Am I being fooled?

I have some problems with Mark Driscoll. His view of the role of women is positively medieval.

I have no problem at all with Rob Bell. I've loved all of his NOOMA videos that I've seen and I'd highly recommend them. My Assemblies of God pastors love him too, and in fact it was they who turned me on to him.

But OTOH, I'm a known Emergent sympathizer, so I could be leading you down the primrose path...

NorrinRadd · May 28, 2008

This is the first time I've heard of Rob Bell. His entry in Wikipedia is sort of bland and generic, so it's hard to tell from that. I think he may go too far with his implication that Christianity is an "Eastern" religion, as if it must be approached *exclusively* with that mindset; it was no accident that God chose people like Paul and Apollos, who were schooled in both Rabbinic and Greek methods, as preachers.

OTOH...

If this article is at all accurate in what it says about the "Emerging Church," I *would* have significant concerns about Bell, as he is listed as one of the leaders of the movement.

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

NorrinRadd said:
This is the first time I've heard of Rob Bell. His entry in Wikipedia is sort of bland and generic, so it's hard to tell from that. I think he may go too far with his implication that Christianity is an "Eastern" religion, as if it must be approached *exclusively* with that mindset; it was no accident that God chose people like Paul and Apollos, who were schooled in both Rabbinic and Greek methods, as preachers.

It doesn't seem to me that he approaches it that way, at least not exclusively. I think it might be best to read Velvet Elvis for yourself, or watch some of his NOOMA videos.

OTOH...

If this article is at all accurate in what it says about the "Emerging Church," I *would* have significant concerns about Bell, as he is listed as one of the leaders of the movement.

My opinion is that it isn't accurate, that it doesn't "get it", that it misses the point. But I may revise that after I read more than just part 1. That'll have to wait for later, gotta get ready for work now. In general, you don't get a good picture of anything by learning about it exclusively from its opponents.

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

[accidental duplicate post]

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

[accidental duplicate post]

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

[accidental duplicate post]

NorrinRadd · May 28, 2008

Multi-post much?

Izdaari Eristikon · May 28, 2008

NorrinRadd said:
Multi-post much?

Only when there's a bug that prevents my posts from going through, and then they show up later.

http://christianforums.com/tracker.php?itemid=430

NorrinRadd · May 29, 2008

I figured it was something like that.

I'll look for that book, but it'll be a while. I load up with reading material twice a year -- birthday and Christmas, and my birthday just passed.

Izdaari Eristikon · May 29, 2008

Perhaps his NOOMA videos then? There are 19 of them now I think, all on DVD. They're short (about 11 minutes) and enjoyable to watch. I'd start with the first one, Rain.

NorrinRadd · May 29, 2008

*grumble*

I miss the old days, when audio "teaching tapes" were all the rage. I suppose some day I'll actually have to own things like a CD player and maybe even a cell phone.

Danged progress.

*grumble* *snort*

icy_crusader · May 29, 2008

Actually, I think Everything is Spiritual is a better DVD to get an understand of what Rob Bell believes. The Nooma series is just kind of, well, let's say my old AG church uses it for Sunday School. Enlightening and edifying, just not as theologicaly complex as his Velvet Elvis or Sex God.

Izdaari Eristikon · May 29, 2008

icy_crusader said:
Actually, I think Everything is Spiritual is a better DVD to get an understand of what Rob Bell believes. The Nooma series is just kind of, well, let's say my old AG church uses it for Sunday School. Enlightening and edifying, just not as theologicaly complex as his Velvet Elvis or Sex God.

Come to think of it, it would be suitable for Sunday School... but that's not a bad thing. Sometimes enlightenment and edification is enough. And that an AG church uses them for that is probably a clue that they're not exactly liberal or anything.

MrJim · May 31, 2008

I just finished VE a few days ago~wouldn't call him a "heretic"...

Johnnz · Jun 1, 2008

There is a large group of Christians (Fundamentalists) who have the only true version of Christianity. Anything that is not consistent with their beliefs is therefore wrong.

Jesus had a few problems with such people in His day. Eventually they killed Him because He did not agree with their agenda.

There is a large number of committed Christians who expose the limitations of fundamentalism, who have not abandoned 'the faith', whose biblical scholarship, personal integrity and breadth of understanding is making Christianity and church a much better experience for many. Rob Bell is amongst those.

John
NZ

Izdaari Eristikon · Jun 1, 2008

Johnnz said:
There is a large group of Christians (Fundamentalists) who have the only true version of Christianity. Anything that is not consistent with their beliefs is therefore wrong.

Aye, but not all our fundamentalist friends are so narrow. In just the past few days, I've gotten to know several who aren't. That's a good thing!

There is a large number of committed Christians who expose the limitations of fundamentalism, who have not abandoned 'the faith', whose biblical scholarship, personal integrity and breadth of understanding is making Christianity and church a much better experience for many. Rob Bell is amongst those.

I agree that Rob Bell is such a person, but I wouldn't set him up as especially an opponent of fundamentalism. Whether fundamentalist, conservative, moderate or liberal, I think we can all learn from him.

Johnnz · Jun 1, 2008

The emergent Christians I have come across don't oppose fundamentalism. Rather they have commented on it in order to expand rather than completely discount, although there can be some points of genuine departure. But I have found a gracious acceptance of differences which I prefer to the denunciation I sometimes encounter.

John
NZ

Izdaari Eristikon · Jun 1, 2008

Johnnz said:
The somewhat Christians I have come across don't oppose fundamentalism. Rather they have commented on it in order to expand rather than completely discount, although there can be some points of genuine departure. But I have found a gracious acceptance of differences which I prefer to the denunciation I sometimes encounter.

John
NZ

I'm a little puzzled by the phrase "somewhat Christians" (typo perhaps?), but I think I understand what you mean otherwise, and it's a very good thought.

Johnnz · Jun 2, 2008

So was I when I reread it! I have made a correction. Hopefully the murk has cleared. These days a potential heresy is only a typo away!

John
NZ

Why is Rob Bell considered a heretic?

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