Who Didn't See This One Coming?: Rob Bell, His New Book, & Its Predictable Universalism

If you didn't see this coming, the you weren't paying attention.  It is amazing that many postmodern Christians and its leaders, particularly among the Emergent Church, have purposefully sought to avoid making any clear theological statement in an attempt of creating a bigger tent that draws more people to "Christianity" (whatever they mean by the word).  Rob Bell is one of those leaders*

Bell's version of Christianity is a spring version as opposed to a brick version.  The difference is huge.  "Brickianity" (to use his word) describes a static theology that keeps people out and for those who are in are not welcome to explore their faith or various questions.  Springianity (to use my word) is much more alive.  It invites us to jump, to explore, and to experience. Such a postmodern faith encourages questions and conversation.**

Such a trajectory leads towards Universalism and heresy.  One could see this coming from miles away and now it seems that will his soon-to-be-released book, Rob Bell is taking this leap.  Last year it was Brian McLaren, the king of ambiguity, who wrote a more clear theology.  This year it seems it is Bell who will present a more clear theology particularly regarding the eschatological question of heaven and hell.  However, his eschatology, from what we can tell, will be more soteriological.

The following is a promotional trailer for Bell's new book Love Wins in which he "explores" the questions of salvation and hell.  Clearly, Bell is presenting postmodern Universalism.  The danger is that it tugs on the heart strings, but its logic is empty, its biblical proof is lacking, and soteriologically, it is hellish - literally.


LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.


*  I am aware that Bell does not associate himself officially with the Emergent Church.  However, one cannot deny that Bell's books, sermons, and theology is eerily similar to the Emergent "conversation."
**  One should note here that the call to question everything and to be open to an ongoing and unending conversation is simply postmodern, liberal language to encourage heresy pure and simple.  To have a conversation, to ask difficult questions, is to open the door to unorthodoxy and blasphemy and that is exactly where postmodern/Emergent Christianity has gone.  It was all predicable. 


For more:
Theology - The Emergent Gospel In 140 Characters or Less  
Theology - Bell and the Meaning of Evangelical  
Theology - Rob Bell and the Resurrection 
Theology - A Theological Critique of Rob Bell's "She" Video
Reviews - "Jesus Wants To Save Christians"
Reviews - "Velvet Elvis"
Reviews - Jesus Wants to Save Christians (a different review than above)
Theology - The Wrongs of the Rights: A Response to the 5 Rights Presented By Emergent Village - Charity
Theology - The Wrongs of the Rights: A Response to the 5 Rights Presented By Emergent Village - Conversation