I have heard from a lot of people, most of whom have not read the book, all about how subversive and heretical it is, and while I cannot say I am quite on the same page as good ole Robbie Bell on every point he makes, I really do like a lot of what he is saying. Things about God's kingdom coming, about living for heaven, like heaven, here on earth...loving people, helping others, taking care of the earth, doing good...and doing these things not because they are rules we are meant to follow, but because we are passionate about what God is about, in the future and the present.
God is good.
God is love.
I believe these two truths wholeheartedly. I also agree that even when we don't believe the same things, whether we are in different denominations or different religions, we should love one another. We should take care of one another.
Bell raises a lot of good questions that I think we all should be asking, or at least considering. I am deep in thought. And I think you should be too. Pick up this book. Yell at it, get frustrated by it, refuse to agree with some of what it says...I did. But also consider it. Ponder it. Let the claims it makes and the questions it raises grow you, challenge you, and strengthen you. I did that too.
Seriously, give it a shot. I am also looking forward to reading Francis Chan's apparent rebuttal to this book...Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity and the Things We Make Up. I'll keep you posted!
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