Love Wins

Alright. Here we go. This book has gotten some attention...and even more attention after the Tweet of my dear pastor John Piper who I respect and trust very deeply. Some say with his three-word tweet, that I am sure many of you have heard about, "Farewell Rob Bell" he caused the evangelical (or maybe not-so evangelical) part of the Internet to "EXPLODE". One writer describes it as "triggering an online firestorm".

"But for all the reviews of the book itself, one three-word Tweet has probably drawn more focus – and more fire – than any of the full reviews." WOW.

Lots of people were mad. Hundreds of thousands responded in either strong defense or bitter disagreement to this seemingly harsh, cold and potentially divisive statement. I have heard about it around every corner---So, yesterday, I decided to dive in and see what this was all about, and I must say I am intrigued. I like Rob Bell. At least I thought I did---I heard him speak when I was in high school at least twice at a church near my hometown, and he was EXCELLENT. He spoke about sacrifice from the Old Testament--about the Holy of Holies and God's demand for perfection and our need for a perfect Savior. I loved it and remember thinking at the time that I was so thankful that someone was able to communicate what many think to be irrelevant, dry and boring and make it come alive. That's what Rob Bell did for me. He made the Bible come alive. At a time in my life when I needed it, he really ministered to me, and I have thought fondly of him ever since and prayed for his ministry. His videos were used at the summer camp where I worked, and many campers asked questions and came to know Jesus better because of those videos. However, now, many evangelicals seem to think he has gone off the deep-end and Piper is even willing to say "goodbye" as if Rob Bell were out of the family or fold or whatever you want to call it. Interesting. I think I am going to read it. The questions Rob Bell is asking in this book are important to ask, but I guess I am curious to see what his answers will be. (check out the short video he has as an intro to the book http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUvw2McL8g) I just have to add in defense of my pastor..... Scot McKnight's (New Testament Scholar and professor at NPU) response to Piper's Tweet was "Frankly, John Piper's flippant dismissal of Rob Bell is unworthy of someone of Piper's stature. The way to disagree with someone of Rob Bell's influence is not a tweet of dismissal but a private latter or phone call. Flippancy should have no part in judging a Christian leader's theology, character or status." Okay Buddy.....John Piper can be called many things, but flippant is certainly not one of them. He doesn't waste his words or his influence. So....I am going to read the book, and I'll get back to you dear readers. If any of you have read it or are reading it, let me know your thoughts too....this is not a waste of time. God is big and can handle these and any other questions anyone might ask. And before I jump on the bandwagon of critique, I am just going to find out for myself. Oh I do wish the Lord would return. People are so messy. Maranatha Lord Jesus!