Rob Bell

[Lois]

Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville,Michigan.
Rob was listed on Time Magazine's 2011 Time 100,A list of who Time considers the most influential people in the world.
Article Here time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066460,00.html

I quote from the Times article

Quote:Rob Bell thinks he knows — or, more precisely, he thinks we can't know,
because the biblical discussion of salvation (as with so much else) is contradictory.
Some passages say only those who explicitly acknowledge Jesus as Lord will find eternal peace.
Others claim that, in Jesus' own words, "the gates of Hell shall not prevail" and Jesus' sacrifice means universal salvation.

Bell argues for mystery, not certitude. "In the book, I write about how some have believed that all will be reconciled," he told TIME, "and while I long for that as I think everybody should long for it, I don't take a position of certainty because, of course, I don't know how it all turns out."

"shakes her head" Of course he quotes scripture out of context to make it seem as though the bible contradicts itself.
I will never understand how people like this will preach and teach from the bible but say it contradicts itself.
If you don't believe it to be true why would you try to spread what is says?Why preach it or teach it if you believe it is wrong or untrue.That makes no sense to me.

If you have read and believe what the bible says you can be certain that there is a hell.People only get to choose here and now while they are in these bodies,after you have past from here to there it is to late.
The impact on souls is devastating with this kind of false doctrine.
Vic has a great article called, Will God say, "Just Kidding," About Eternity? here http://www.seekgod.ca/eternity.htm

Martin Bashir of MSNBC puts Bell on the hot seat about his book,Love Wins,accusing him of "amending the gospel",then continues on to say,"So here comes Rob Bell, he’s made a Christian gospel for you, and it’s perfectly palatable, it’s much easier to swallow."
Full TV interview here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/...7#42098348

In the RECENT NEWS REGARDING ROB BELL on the Mars Hills web site,Rob resigned from the church at the end of Dec 2011.
There is a pdf file on the site of his letter of resignation that he read to his congregation before leaving to move to LA.
It is an 11 page letter.I read it and it just came across as odd to me.It's just a weird letter with very little mention of God.
He was quoted on WZZM 13 news as saying,he felt a "calling to share God's love" in new ways. Here wzzm13.com/news/article/180330/2/Pastor-Rob-Bell-leaving-Mars-Hill-Church-for-Los-Angeles

After doing more research it seems to me that it was most likely Hollywood calling him to "share" in new ways.
Bell attended the 2011 Time 100 gala in Sept,where he met Carlton Cuse an Emmy Award winning screenwriter and producer who has worked on tv shows such as,Lost.
The two immediately hit it off and soon concocted the idea for a show called Stronger.
According to Deadline,ABC Buys Spiritual Drama From ‘Lost’ Exec Producer Carlton Cuse And Pastor Rob Bell
http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/abc-buys...-rob-bell/

I for one am glad he is no longer behind a pulpit spewing his heresy.I will not be watching the show.

[Solo Christo]

Whilst I certainly don't agree with everything Rob Bell says, I think he is a gifted communicator of the gospel & I'm glad he continues to strive to share the gospel, despite so many Christians throwing stones at him.

Sadly I think you misunderstand his position (Soteriological Agnosticism - actually the majority position of the Church e.g. most Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and even many in Protestant circles - at least in my experience) & style - I recommend reading his book Love Wins, it's certainly been very helpful at bringing back people who had fallen away, and even introducing people to Christianity.

Just because he thinks there are some things in tension in the Bible, doesn't mean he thinks it contradicts itself.

I have read the Bible and believe it's true, so I agree that there is a hell, however that's not the only thing it reveals...

“Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled. All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer.” (Ps 65:1-2 HCSB)

“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” (Ps 86:9 ESV)

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”” (Rev 5:13 ESV) note this parallels v3 where the phrase describes everyone except Christ. Yes, v9b talks about people from every tribe, etc. but these are to be the priests, i.e. the ones to bring Christ to everyone, so that v13 can occur.

“By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’“ (Isa 45:23 ESV) also picked up in Phil 2:9-10 - usually (always?) when Paul speaks of confession, it’s in the context of salvation e.g. “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9 HCSB) and isn’t superficial, e.g. “Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”(1Cor 12:3 HCSB)

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36 HCSB) i.e. how are people sinning in hell in any way “to Him”??

The only way to fulfil the above prophetic passages, is for hell to become empty, & the only way that can happen is through Christ, by the Spirit's help.

[Vic]

Solo wrote:

Quote:I have read the Bible and believe it's true, so I agree that there is a hell, however that's not the only thing it reveals...

...“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36 HCSB) i.e. how are people sinning in hell in any way “to Him”??

The only way to fulfil the above prophetic passages, is for hell to become empty, & the only way that can happen is through Christ, by the Spirit's help.

So the only way for hell to become empty is through Christ and the Spirit's help and you mean all will be redeemed?

Let's look at what the Scriptures say about how and when hell will be emptied.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

So, at the white throne Judgment death and hell will deliver up the dead---which includes ALL those who rejected Christ. Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. THIS is the second death. And. WHOSOEVER was NOT FOUND written in the Book of Life, was what, according to the Scriptures?

Cast Into the lake of fire.

delivered up > G1325
δίδωμι
didōmi
Thayer Definition:
1) to give
2) to give something to someone
2a) of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage
2a1) to bestow a gift
2b) to grant, give to one asking, let have
2c) to supply, furnish, necessary things
2d) to give over, deliver
2d1) to reach out, extend, present
2d2) of a writing
2d3) to give over to one’s care, intrust, commit
2d3a) something to be administered
2d3b) to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
2e) to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
2f) to furnish, endue
3) to give
3a) to cause, profuse, give forth from one’s self
3a1) to give, hand out lots
3b) to appoint to an office
3c) to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them
3c) to give one to someone as his own
3c1) as an object of his saving care
3c2) to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
3c3) to give one to someone to care for his interests
3c4) to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return
4) to grant or permit one
4a) to commission
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses)

they were judged > G2919
κρίνω
krinō
Thayer Definition:
1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4) to determine, resolve, decree
5) to judge
5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one’s case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, govern
6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
7a) to dispute
7b) in a forensic sense
7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
Part of Speech: verb

every man >G1538
ἕκαστος
hekastos
Thayer Definition:
1) each, every
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: as if a superlative of hekas (afar)

death and hell were >cast >G906
βάλλω
ballō
Thayer Definition:
1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls
1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into
1b) to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result
1c) of fluids
1c1) to pour, pour into of rivers
1c2) to pour out
2) to put into, insert
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a primary word

Does it say that Anyone was redeemed from hell in those verses? The answer would be a resounding NO.

Who does it say will NOT be hurt by the second death? And who is being written to concerning that issue?

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

churches > G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
Thayer Definition:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564

[ekklesia used as church 77 times, churches 36, assembly 3 times]

Strong's G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
ek-klay-see'-ah
From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.

overcometh > G3528
νικάω
nikaō
Thayer Definition:
1) to conquer
1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious
1a1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes
1a2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions
1a3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause
Part of Speech: verb

shall not > G3364
οὐ μή
ou mē
Thayer Definition:
1) never, certainly not, not at all, by no means
Part of Speech: particle

be hurt > G91
ἀδικέω
adikeō
Thayer Definition:
1) absolutely
1a) to act unjustly or wickedly, to sin
1b) to be a criminal, to have violated the laws in some way
1c) to do wrong
1d) to do hurt
2) transitively
2a) to do some wrong or sin in some respect
2b) to wrong some one, act wickedly towards him
2c) to hurt, damage, harm
Part of Speech: verb

So, despite your statement that "the only way hell can become empty is through Christ with the Spirit's help" is NOT what the Scriptures say. To make a statement that one believes the Bible comes out in whether one actually does believe the Bible, by confirming what it says instead of trying to change it, add to or take away from it.

And what does Revelation say about these prophecies written so we would know what was to come and about those who add to or take away from any of it?

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.