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Rob Bell Actually Believes In Hell

Posted Mar 26 2011 by Jonathan Brink in , , , with 10 Comments

Here’s proof. There he said it folks. Are you happy?

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About the Author

Jonathan BrinkI am an business development and communications consultant. I am also the senior editor and publisher for Civitas Press. I recently published, Discovering The God Imagination: Reconstructing A Whole, New Christianity. (Civitas, 2011)View all posts by Jonathan Brink →

  • Jeff McQ

    Hey, Jonathan…the link doesn’t take us anywhere.

  • Concerned

    It takes several interviews and articles to expound on what he believes and now you are satisfied? Really? And lets be clear that he says he believes in hell but only his definition of hell. I would believe in a lot of things if you let me define it. nnAm I happy? I am even more unhappy now than before.

    • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

      Concerned, your making some broad assumptions here that I would suggest you leave behind. nnFirst, I’ve actually met Rob. I’ve been to his church, and have participated in a conference he put on where he presented the ideas behind Love Wins. It was called Isn’t She Beautiful in Feb 2007. It’s not new.nnSecond, I’ve listened to close to 300-400 hours of his sermons over the last four years. I’ve read every book he’s released. nnThird, I’ve probably posted 30-40 posts here on Rob, so this isn’t the first time I’ve heard him.nnHis argument is not that hell doesn’t exist. His argument is that Love Wins. The problem is that most people don’t get past the first to hear the second. It’s a much more nuanced argument that most refuse to engage.nnFourth, I share his understanding of the restoration of all creation, and I even wrote a book on it. nnSo don’t assume I’m allowing this interview snippet to base my opinion on.

      • Concerned

        No broad assumptions – perhaps you are assuming you know what I was intending to say?nnYou didn’t link to an actual conversation with Rob that you have had.nnYou didn’t link to articles or a link on his churches website. nnYou didn’t link to a conference that he put on. nnYou didn’t link to 300-400 hours of his sermons from the last four years. nnYou didn’t link or quote any of his books.nnYou linked to a brief interview. Maybe you shouldn’t have used this one link as the “proof” that everybody was looking for if there is much more evidence out there. Based on your comments, there is much more evidence that he “believes” in hell. Still, you linked to one interview that was not necessarily the “home run” that I would have linked to. nnMaybe you have some broad assumptions you should leave behind. Don’t assume I think that this is new. nnI have no problem that love wins. I believe it does. But once again, I don’t get to define it based on what I think is right or wrong. i don’t get to define it based on opinions. I can only base it on scripture. nnLove wins. Love wins because justice and holiness is held upright. Love wins because God is Holy. Not just love. He is Holy. He is just. Not just love. nnAnd I disagree, I believe people are engaging in his exegetical work. The problem is that people are too busy cursing the people standing up and expressing their opinions on it to get heard by people too busy crying outrage that they are standing up. Maybe everyone (people like you and me) should engage all arguments not just the ones that we choose. For everybody to be so upset with people calling Bell out, it wouldn’t hurt for them to see that they tend to be just as rude and uncharitable in calling those same people out. nnWe don’t have to argue and debate where Bell lines up on this. There is enough conversation to discuss the “love” that people show when you don’t agree with them. No matter the side. nn

        • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

          Just like your suggested Drew, I can only assume based on what you provide. You were disatisfied that he said there is a hell. And now it comes down to defining our view of hell.

      • http://charlieschurchofchrist.wordpress.com/ Charlie’s Church of Christ

        Jonathan – I was at Isn’t She Beautiful as well. Crazy! To this day Rob debunking the rapture is firmly planted in my brain.

        • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

          That was one of the more profound conferences/gatherings I’ve ever been to. But I think I was ready for it.

  • Annie

    I am happy. :)

  • Awilfong82@GMAIL.COM

    We all could say we believe in hell. Does he believe in what the bible saids about It a place of fire and torment?

Business development and communications for growing businesses.