Rob Bell on Jesus
— Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 —
A former student (from that great 8am class in the Fall of 2001) sent me a Facebook message this morning asking about what I think of Rob Bell’s new book Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for a Church in Exile. Specifically, this minister wanted to know about Bell’s use of typology, since he knows I think typology is a crucial factor in understanding the Scripture.
I haven’t read Bell’s book yet, but I have it on my shelf and promise to do so right away, so watch here for some reaction. My doctoral student Phillip Bethancourt tells me he thinks it’s “biblical theology gone wild.” I’ll see if I agree (and whether he thinks that’s a positive or a negative; maybe he can comment here about that).
In the meantime, I’m glad to see a Rob Bell book about Jesus. I was really disappointed when I attended a stop of his “Everything Is Spiritual” a couple of years ago in which Jesus was presented as a rabbinical presence and not much else. So if “Christ is proclaimed,” then, “in that I rejoice.”
Have you read it? Give me a preview. Helpful? Dangerous? Mixed?
Have you seen Collin Hansen’s review of this book in Christianity Today? His review was somewhat more favorable than I would have expected, although he critiqued the hints at universalism in the book.
Dr. Moore,
I listened to Bell’s book through on CD. The audio version is great in that it is a discussion format between the two authors as they read the book, often interrupting each other to explain a particular point. It was a pleasant surprise to the normal monotone, put you to sleep while you drive, old man by a fire place in a rocking chair, type of audio book. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Rob Bell is a great communicator. Rob Bell IS a GREAT communicator.
As his voice was amplified through my car stereo system I was reminded why so many of the ministers my age are followers of his teaching. I hope they learn a lot from him. I hope I learn a lot from him.
But what I hope we learn is the manner of his communication and not necessarily the content. Herein lies the challenge, and as you pondered - the danger.
In the book Bell highlights the work of God in establishing a body on earth through Israel and later through the church. Bell explains that humanity’s eastward move from Eden, desire to establish empires, and motivation for preservation, are all effects of our falleness and result in anti-kingdoms.
The danger, so called, with Bell is not always - not necessarily - the specific concept he is delivering. (There are several fine points in the book that I am looking forward to giving more attention to once I purchase a hard copy). While that is in often the case, in my opinion, the greater concern is the underlying hermeneutic and view of Scripture which shape his opinions. The danger is that the reader will passively adopt a similar approach and attitude regarding revelation.
My take on Rob Bell’s book (and his books in general): read - or listen for that matter - but be smart about it. Navigate the content, apply wisdom and biblical discernment, but I always ask the questions: “What can I learn from Bell’s manner - from his communication style - why has he captured the attention of a generation of young pastors and what can I learn from that?”
Trevin, I haven’t seen it, but if you’ll send it along I’ll link to it here. Thanks for calling my attention to it. RDM
Dan, That old man by the fire was FDR. He was a pretty good communicator too….
Thanks for the read on the new Bell book. Per your suggestion, I’ll listen to the audio version.
Actually, the web version hasn’t been released yet. It was in the print version that I got in the mail a week ago. I’m assuming it will be online in the next couple of weeks.
Dr. Moore,
It would be interesting to read a critique on Mr. Bell’s understanding of the Spirit. It could be titled “Noomatology,” playing off his popular video series, NOOMA, and of course, pneumatology. He has another video titled “Everything is Spiritual.” Suffice it to say that his pneumatology lacks the Pneuma, as far as I have been able to tell. Perhaps he’s hoping that NOOMA will do the work in our hearts instead. But perhaps I am being too critical. I am not familiar with all of his work, so maybe I’m missing something.
This book is biblical theology gone wild. In fact, it is simply liberation theology with a soul patch. In a book called Jesus Wants to Save Sinners, you would think there would be a little more about Jesus in the text. But there is hardly any mention of the cross.
Bell’s use of biblical theology, however, is intriguing. He frames his intertextual insights around the New Exodus theme, and it is well done. Some of the typological connections he makes are fascinating. The problem is that his application unfolds in resistance to the American empire and a call to free the oppressed.
My expectation is that this type of eschatological trajectory will continue to gain traction among younger evangelicals who are looking for an alternative approach to socio-political engagement than dispensationalism.
Phillip,
Do you think the angst which Bell builds off of comes primarily from Dispensationalism? While not disagreeing with you, I think Bell’s approach aligns with a broad and youthful revolt against what John Howard Yoder would call “Establishment Christianity” or, to operate in the likes of Greg Boyd, “Constantinian Christianity.” Other than that, I agree with you, Bell over-stretched the New Exodus Motif.
Also, if I am recalling correctly, Bell completely omits any significant reference to Paul.
Phillip,
I agree with eco-anarchist Edward Abbey that one should never trust a fat revolutionary or a recently divorced marriage counselor. I don’t give credence to any critique of “American Empire” that comes from someone selling downloadable videos to be played on Mac computers.
It seems to me that the “America as Rome” anti-imperialism is quite often a luxury for those who fully embrace the whirl of the free market and the relative tranquility afforded by American military power. It’s an easy critique for these folks to make when there’s no alternative offered, or even imagined.
Ben,
I am not sure that I know enough about Bell’s “NOOMAtology” (I like that, btw) to critique it. Everything is spiritual, though, with that I agree. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
Perhaps the important idea of this book is in its subtitle: “A manifesto for a church *in exile*”. I live in a part of the world (the UK), and come from another part of the world (New Zealand), in which the church is very much “in exile”. We are not persecuted, or even opposed; rather, we are ignored. From this vantage point, it seems that American Christianity is in exile as well, but longs for a time when it wasn’t, when the civil religion was Christian (and, in the South, Southern Baptist).
If Rob’s book triggers off a debate as to what it is to be a Christian in exile - and British and European Christians have no shortage of ideas here - then it could actually add some value.
It SCARES me that some mega evangelical Christian churches are actually supporting the Nooma Series and Rob Bells books.
Ross, I agree that a discussion of being a Christian in exile is crucial. The problem is most of those speaking of such things are doing so while embracing the ambient culture in the very places where Christianity is the most exilic. RDM
Erica, I think there a lot of churches (especially in the college ministries) that aren’t really endorsing RB’s theology. They have just found one or two of the NOOMA videos to be good discussion starters. The one I’ve seen most often I found kind of creepy. But I have been to some college ministries that pieced together all kinds of resources, this one included.
Here’s Rob in his own words at Relevant Magazine.
http://is.gd/aqQn
Dr. Moore,
When I finished reading this book I told my wife that it felt like “Velvet Elvis” meets Oliver Stone. Bell has always pushed these ideas of some weird, Pelagian, “choose your own reality,” “there are forgiven people in hell” psuedo-universalism (all the quotes from ‘Velvet Elvis’), but now he has dressed them up with his own political rantings a la Brian McLaren.
It intrigues me, on page 178 Bell gives what appears to be his idea of how personal salvation occurs. He says, “Confession. Repentance. A fresh start. A clean slate. We cry out in our exile and God hears us and we experience rebirth.” I find it interesting that he never says we “have faith” or, what is more his style, “trust Jesus.” Do you think he intentionally leaves of saying that faith is a requirement? Maybe I’m reading too much into what he’s saying, but this just seems a little shady and a lot dangerous to me.
I guess I’m really trying to think of a reason why this wouldn’t be dangerous? The suggestion of the audio book is helpful.. so thanks. I find myself upset that I have to stay up with this guy simply to combat or discern what is happening as a result of those following his teachings. I do not rejoice in Bell’s approach to Christ since so far I find it not a proper definition of Christ.
What I have seen (our youth pastor likes the nooma videos) and read on his website it is clear that Mr. Bell is clearly in the Emergent camp. He is very weak in his Christology though the church website does state that they hold to a virgin birth (a previous post was concern about that). Reading through their explanation of “Narrative Theology” they seem to hold a mixture of Emergent questioning and doubting along with a semi-Liberation theology with it’s typical left wing political ideology and social ethic.
In the latest video shown to our youth entitled “Name”, one of the most disturbing statements made was that God was saving us from “our enslavement to the roles and scripts of others that we are trying to live out” (May not be an exact quote). What disturbed me was the obvious, Christ came to redeem us from our sin. Mr. Bell was busy defining sin not as a violation of God’s Law or falling short of His glory but “not living up to our own name of being true to ourselves” (that quote was exact).
So, possibly a weak Christology (as indicated by others), a theology of Sin and Salvation that are not biblical in the slightest - my personal opinion and what I have suggested to our youth pastor and minister of education is that we should be extremely cautious and should consider not using any of his material at least and until there is a clear statement coming from Mr. Bell and Mars Hill Church (not Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill).
I think all of Rob bells work is awesome. He explains scriptures from the bible very clearly. I think most of the people on this site are older and are afraid of a different approach on new ways of preaching. I think most of you would benefit from watching the nooma series.
Dr. Moore,
Have you read the book yet, and if so have you posted your response anywhere?