Recently Rob Bell was taken to task on MSNBC. Worth a look if you have a couple of minutes.
Rob Bell on MSNBC
I sent this to a few folks today and received an insightful response from my friend Matt Millsap worth repeating here:
"What I find particularly striking about the whole controversy surrounding Bell's book is that even (presumable) unbelievers such as Martin Bashir quickly realize the inherent contradiction present in Bell's assertions while he apparently does not. Even casual observers who don't have any vested interest in the Christian message whatsoever can see that Bell is trying to have it both ways with his Christianity. But what is especially sad is the level of influence Bell has on younger believers (with Nooma videos, etc.) who tend to hang on his every word. He is leading them down the path of a contemporarily repackaged liberalism; they don't realize it, and neither do they care to do so."
Bell's false doctrine demands a public and vigorous refutation. He is actively subverting the truth of the Gospel and doing so in a very public way. Such responses are readily found and I recommend that you familiarize yourself with them (see Mohler's Blog). At the same time, we also need to recognize the opportunity that this controversy and debate provide for sharing the true Gospel.
Here are some Scriptures that speak to the central claim of Bell's book:
Jesus is the only way of salvation: "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 ESV).
Unfortunately Bell wants to say that those in other religions who are calling on the name of different gods and divine teachers are actually crying out for Jesus. But the Scriptures teach us differently: "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12 ESV).
Bell's doctrine undermines any motivation for evangelism and missions by saying that all people will go to heaven regardless of their decision for or against Christ in this life. This is addressed in the following: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!' But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:9-17 ESV).
Other short summaries of the Gospel in the New Testament to keep in mind include Romans 3 (entire chapter); 1 Corinthians 15:1–8; Titus 2:11–3:7)
The temptation will be to gloat when Bell is made to look silly or to squirm in the incoherence of his position. While we should be thankful that the falsehood of his theology is being exposed, let’s pray for the following: (a) that he will repent, (b) that his congregation and those exposed to his ministry will not be led into error, and (c) that the Gospel will not be maligned as a result of this situation. May we watch our own lives and doctrine closely and be mindful of the sin that lies creeping at the door of our own hearts.
Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
J
