Here is what I have to say about Rob Bell's latest book…
For the love of God and all that is holy, stop it. It is simply amazing how many people have piled on about this book before they have actually read it…soley based upon the video promo. I guess the trailer did what it was supposed to do – piqued interest. I will pick it up at some point and maybe, perhaps comment, but this firestorm is crazy.
Jim, thanks for commenting. I agree with your thoughts. I just want it to be fair discourse. Commenting on a specific book before reading it seems just a bit unfair, and a lot wrong headed to me. That is why I followed up my last post with a re-blog by Greg Boyd who is a great thinker and actually has read the book.
As far as alternatives to the neo-reform stuff (I have great affinity with Fitch), I couldn’t agree more.
Peace
Rob,
I totally get where you are coming from but….
as a result of the controversy between Bell, Piper, Justin Taylor and the Gospel Coalition, the major, important, theological/ecclesial transition that has been underway for some time has, I believe, received another (inadvertent) shot in the arm….new energy….it’s like something has been exposed for all to see and has helped further shove a movement forward.
This may be a great over simplification, but in my thinking, I believe that the church of the future “after Christendom” lies not with the reactionary neo-Reformed folks (for all their good intentions and sincerity) but in NEW theological perspectives engendering abundant forms of creative, imaginative missional life. I believe these new theological initiatives are necessary and timely responses to this lurch to the right.
We here in North America cannot afford to be so absorbed in this debate – intense as it is – that we fail to notice the massive crisis of irrelevance that is looming ahead and is happening NOW, especially where I live here in New England. But the very debate itself is sparking more transition. David Fitch said that “The Rob Bell…episode speaks to the growing need for another place to do theology from whence the…church can find direction for the challenges of the new post Christendom landscape and it speaks to the need for an alternative theological coalition”.
Maybe, at least in part, that’s some of the good that is coming out of this.
At any rate, all this emphasis on our shifting evangelicalism seems to ebb and flow; it kind of bursts forth and then hibernates. But I believe through even these recent negative circumstances, God is keeping the need for change alive.