Rob Bell vs. John Piper
Rob Bell vs. John Piper: Do We Have to Choose?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-jonathan-weyer/rob-bell-vs-john-piper-do_b_829956.html
After reading a lot of blog posts and articles from both sides, this article seems to present the most rational, loving point of view. And yet, while I appreciate the author’s lack of bias, the way God has used Rob Bell (in contrast to many other prominent Christian pastors and authors) throughout my walk demands that I not remain silent.
You can either practice being right or practice being kind. (Anne Lamott)
Simply put: the times I felt judged and shamed by the preaching, teaching, and writing of the John Piper/Josh Harris/Mark Driscoll camp are literally too many to number. And yes, I said judged. And shamed. Not convicted by the Holy Spirit - that’s an altogether different experience. Conviction brings us closer to God, judgement pushes us further away. I wish that more of Christ’s outspoken representatives understood that it is impossible to effectively speak the truth in love to His people without first loving them.
In contrast, at a time when I desperately needed it, Rob Bell’s sermons and books challenged me to study the man Jesus - His love for God and love for people. Bell’s willingness to question the way we do church and the way we represent Christ to the world refreshed and inspired me. His words assured me that even when the church can’t handle my questions - God can - and He welcomes them!
Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (I Corinthians 3:18-4:5)
But really, at the end of the day that isn’t even what sells me. Truly, what sells me is Rob Bell’s consistent position of peace (Psalm 133:1) and humility in the face of combat and condemnation. The following article, published today by the president of Fuller Theological Seminary, probably expresses it best:
The Orthodoxy of Rob Bell
http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-orthodoxy-of-rob-bell-49500/
