Jesus wants to save Christians, Rob Bell

Out of all the Rob Bell books that I've read this would be the most uninspiring. Not that I didn't like what he wrote, rather the majority I'd heard before. The classical re-phrasing the Old Testament story and revelling how it is brought to fruition in Jesus. Yes Bell has his own quirky way to tell a story, but if the content isn't new my eye glaze. For others it maybe a revelation.

The only part which I found interesting was the talk of 'empire' and putting the US in context to the Roman Empire.

2/5

What we talk about when we talk about God, Rob Bell

What we talk about when we talk about God, Rob Bell

I like Rob Bell, the more I read or hear him the more I like him. On a personal level, it seems like he has gone through some of the same stuff as myself. Doubt, moving on from a church you've planted, re-evaluating everything etc. But I could imagine the size of things for him would have been scaled a lot more, than myself. I also like how he thinks and articulates his words. He does it so much better than myself.

I suppose what I thought the gist of the book was, Rob trying to articulate God to a post modern world. Part of his answer is in how he talks about Ruach, without naming it, I suspect his view is panentheism. (As opposed to pantheism) I did wonder if he had read the Gaia Hypothisis, and what he thought of it considering how he spoke of the interconnectedness of everything.

If I was to give a book to a non-Christian this would be the first book.

4/5

Mark Conner and Rob Bell

I like Rob Bell, I found his Nooma series a fantastic tool. Thought provoking and useful as a conversation starter.

Unfortunately Rob Bell has his enemies; I had one person leave our Church with one of the reasons been Rob was heretical. He has probably became more heretical in some people's eyes now with his coming out in support of same sex marriage...

I was encouraged of late when I read Mark Connors blog while not pointing to any doctrinal errors with Rob Bell was happy to quote others and without writing explicitly so keep Rob Bell in the evangelical fold.

Encouraging from one of the biggest names in evangelical Christianity in Australia.

 

Rob Bell comes out

 

According to homebrew Christianity Rob Bell one of my favourite Christian community communicators has come out in support of same sex marriage.

Well it had to happen and I think more of the main line leaders will start affirming same sex marriage. Starting as a trickle but it will pick up.

Interestingly the first attack is about he isn't a 'pastor' in a working sence anymore therefore Bell has lost credibility! I wonder how accademics, retired pastors, authors etc feel about this sort of badge you need to speak out?

Anyway, my prayers are with Bell; for he will be coping it. Many friends disowning him to protect there own position.

 

Rob Bell and some thoughts from homebrew

 

Just read a quick review on Homebrew Christianity of Rob Bells book "what we talk about when we talk about God". Looks like it is a book I'm really looking forward to read. Mainly because a lot of ideas Bell put forward are supposedly I line with Tillich. A theologian I've tried to read but found his grammatical style combined with concepts just to difficult to continue.

 

Back on the horse

The other night at our local Church I lead a discussion on some of Rob Bell's Nooma. Interestingly I also got asked to do a Christening back in Melbourne. It is affirming that these things are popping up. It is also particularly good to feel that I'm in a system where a wide understanding of Christianity is acceptable.

Naked Spirituality, Brian McLaren, Here: Starting Right Now

Naked Spirituality, Brian McLaren, Here: Starting Right Now

At last the book gets into the meat of Mclaren's spiritual practices. As he writes in the book it can be summed up with one word 'Here'. Basically acknowledging that God is with us what ever the situation. Just stopping our mind and acknowledging God is with us.


Its a chapter which I can agree with, its one of my main Spiritual practices. Looking for the 'Here' For some, this is rather pantheistic, yet for me it is the most realistic experience which I can comprehend. Although remembering to look for the here, I'm  guilty of doing frequently.

The Chapter reminded me a lot of Rob Bell's 'Breath'






Previous summaries
Naked Spirituality, Brian McLaren, Twelve Simple Words
Naked Spirituality, Brian McLaren, But I'm Spiritual
Spiritual Experiences and Spiritual Experience.

Universalism and Rob Bell

Image by Keegan Jones via Flickr

One of the more refreshing theologians Rob Bell has caused quite a stir with evangelicals with who claim that his new book yet to come out 'Love Wins', advocates 'universalism' everyone gets to heaven.
Its an interesting charge because his new book hasn't even come out yet. It seems to be speculation or good marketing!
It reminded me of a blog post regarding Rob Bell and homosexuality, which I penned a few years ago. It turned out that again the person making the accusations had not read any of Rob Bells material and his ammunition came from a Pentecostal church somewhere in Tasmania.

I find it interesting how quick people jump to conclusion without real wisdom of pondering.

Universalism yet is an interesting charge. I've found in a lot of my readings theologicans and writers on the edge of wavering towards universalism. I name Brain Mclaren and Baxter Kruger (Love that name!)

For me the edge is the place to be. I'm still a believer in justice. Yet I don't think justice and universalism fit easily together. Yet I know that grace and universalism do. Grace and love are everything about God. So I'm on the edge.

It would be interesting a Church where there was a strong conviction of universalism. Much of the moral compass of the Church would disappear. Everyone would be accepted because the playing field has been flattened. Everyone is in. Maybe it would become a place of caring for the soul.

Some interesting Australian Blog about Rob Bell::

Jarrad McKenna, on ABC online
An Annabaptist in Perth
Backyard missionary

An the USA

Brian Mclaren's response

Progressive Christianity

Its strange but I've always had this feeling that I don't fit with Christians and the organised Church. There have been times I've felt at home but this is pretty rare.

One of the things I wanted to do this year was explore "Liberal Theology". The Evangelical/Pentecostal that where peers and mentors automatically bushed them off. It has been impossible to have an informed conversation.

I once had at Ranges a person try to tell me that Rob Bell was a heretic. When asked if that person had read any of his book they said no. I suspect this is the same as my peers and mentors in regards to "Liberal Theology". An opinion without been informed.

My first book and only book on the list was 'Honest to God', by Robinsion. I found it honest by writen at the peak of Christainity. I believe we are now in a 'Post Christian' society, where the church is not a dominant institution.

Then of all things I came across Marcus Borg, "The heart of Christianity" in the Cowes library. This book certainly clarified a lot of areas of liberal theology. A lot of the ideas are well thought through. One prophetic moment as I see it was in the Cowes medical clinic while reading "The Heart of Christianity". A lady from no where came up and said I was on the 'right track'. MMMmmm I think that God interacts with the work, not intervenes and this was one of those times....

The publishers of 'The Heart of Christianity' where a group belonging to 'Progressive Christianity'. I had never heard of it before. I've come to understand that 'Progressive Christianity' is different to 'Liberal Theology'. Liberal Theology had its roots in the enlightenment, where textual criticism was the result. Much of the supernatural and mystery dissappeared. "Progressive Christianity still has a high regard for textual criticism but there is room for 'mystery'. This is a very simplifed explanation and could be expanded upon for sure.

My friend over in the West Nathan Hobby drew to my attention that the ABC's 'Spirit of things' Two podcasts on 'Progressive Christianity'.
Part 1
Part 2

Both surprised me by the size of the movement in Australia. There is also an Victorian web page
Hope you enjoy....

Rob Bell and technology

I've always appreciated Rob Bell. He has a way of looking at things which are a bit quirkey and gets one thinking. Even if one dosn't aggree with him, he has made an impact on the Christian landscape. The blog Out of Ur interviewed Rob Bell and he had some interesting things to say about using video technology::

Your NOOMA video series has been popular. What do you think about the increasing number of preachers and churches using video technology to expand their reach?

It's powerful but there's also a dark side. Video is not church. You put images and music on a screen, and people will listen. But it's also dangerous. You're playing with fire. I think video technology deserves to be scrutinized heavily.

It would appear to me that most of the blogging communtiy picked up on the irony of Rob Bell Saying these things. Considering that Rob Bell has really made his name with the DVD series Nooma.
Yet Rob Bell's response is similar to any Christian response to a change in culture. That response is usually a cautiousness boardering on fear. There is a "Dark Side" to any and everything depending on where it takes you.