Albert Mohler, Serene Jones (of Union Theological Seminary), and Josh Harris all make this short segment. I think Bell's book has the potential for really sifting out where Christians stand on this crucial issue on which so much is at stake -- not just who God is, but what the gospel message is, and whether the historic evangelistic motivation makes any sense. Should people be risking their lives to tell others about Jesus Christ? And what exactly (if anything) should they be told about Jesus Christ? With all the attention swirling, the publisher has moved up the release data of Love Wins … [Read more...] about Rob Bell Dust-Up on Good Morning America
Challenges in Undergraduate Education
I'm almost half-way through this book and am finding it to be outstanding. Amazingly, it's still doing so well on Amazon, considering the somewhat focused topic -- which I think often limits sales to those with a "felt need" in that particular area. It's fundamentally a book about higher education for those "in the system" (like me) or concerned/interested with the process. A few weeks ago Thomas H. Benton penned an excellent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education reflecting on Academically Adrift. Benton argues that "few people outside of higher education understand how little … [Read more...] about Challenges in Undergraduate Education
Five Brief Reflections on the Rob Bell Controversy
Updated: Short update at the end. 1. Some have questioned the appropriateness of posts like this, given that Bell’s book has not yet been published (and I’ve not read it). But I think the promo video is so damaging that it merits a public rebuke. Did you notice how glibly he cast aside the necessity of the re-birth? None less than Jesus Christ establishes the necessity of being born again (John 3:3, John 3:5) to enter the kingdom of God. [See also I Peter 1:3-7, 23.] 2. The nature of Bell's questions, as Kevin DeYoung has pointed out, is decided non-neutral. Bell is saying that a … [Read more...] about Five Brief Reflections on the Rob Bell Controversy
The Holiness of God – FREE Audio Book in March
For the month of March 2011, Tyndale House Publishers and Ligonier Ministries are partnering with Christian Audio to make R.C. Sproul's The Holiness of God a free audio download. This title can also be purchased in print at the Ligonier Store for 35% off in March only. … [Read more...] about The Holiness of God – FREE Audio Book in March
(Holy) Love Wins
Timothy Stoner writes: … The love that wins is a holy love. The love that won on the cross and wins the world is a love that is driven, determined, and defined by holiness. It is a love that flows out of the heart of a God who is transcendent, majestic, infinite in righteousness, who loves justice as much as he does mercy; who hates wickedness as much as he loves goodness; who blazes with a fiery, passionate love for himself above all things. He is Creator, Sustainer, Beginning and End. He is robed in a splendor and eternal purity that is blinding. He rules, he reigns, he rages … [Read more...] about (Holy) Love Wins
Is Rob Bell a Universalist?
Note: Update at the bottom. The answer seems to be yes, given his most recent book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. The publisher's description: Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a downloadable podcast reaching 50,000 more. An electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” Rob Bell is the most vibrant, central religious leader of the millennial generation. Now, in Love … [Read more...] about Is Rob Bell a Universalist?