Linkathon 3/16, part 1
Martin Bashir’s interview with pastor and author Rob Bell on MSNBC (HT to poster Martin Luther’s Disciple, who linked it here at PP, and Denny Burk, who posted a transcript along with the video)
The following links touch one way or another on Christian blogland’s version of March madness: Rob Bell’s latest book Love Wins, in which many allege Mr. Bell has embraced universalism.
Kevin DeYoung posted a long critical review of the book. He’s representative of those who think Bell’s views are heretical (to put it kindly).
Julie Clawson has a more favorable view of the book. She probably is representative of those who think Bell’s views are not heretical and that he has something worthy to say to the church.
Mark Galli of Christianity Today also criticizes Bell’s points, while saying the church would be foolish to dismiss the questions he asks.
Kary Oberbrunner thinks Bell is too evasive. Margaret Feinberg isn’t sure what Bell believes and wonders who really wins.
Cathleen Falsani calls the book “a love note” to and about Jesus. Matthew Paul Turner says we shouldn’t demonize Bell and “let the matter divide us.”
Trevin Wax compares the uproar to a fever.
Carole Turner says “the various reviews and hoopla” is entertaining. Bill Kinnon finds himself confused by Calvinists again.
And Andrew Jones has one of the better observations of the whole debate I’ve read, calling the matter “a battle for the empire”.
Carl Trueman indirectly addresses the matter, saying instead that “the age old question” really is how to minister God’s grace to those who need it, and “If we really believe Matt. 16:18, I would suggest that we will not panic with every wind of false doctrine which comes our way, nor will we be intimidated by astronomical sales figures for bad books or tickets to hear false preachers.”
It would be great, IMO, if everyone got saved. But the Bible clearly teaches that few will enter the kingdom of heaven…while mentioning an innumerable multitude in Revelation that made it in.
Perhaps Michael Patton’s article on why hell is eternal will be helpful to you.
Not related to Rob Bell, his book or hell but related to Reformed Calvinists: John Samson says faithful are the wounds of a friend.
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BrianD blog 
Brian —
I think you’ve got the Kinnon link twice, the second time in place of the Jones link.
Can you help me understand why this Rob Bell situation is a big deal? Is this a matter of obligation to rebuke heretics? Is it some sort of required theological workout? I don’t remember e.g. Carlton Pearson getting this much attention.
IMO, the Rob Bell debate has some importance, but the Reformed guys have blown it completely up.
What’s important to a bunch of academically-minded theologians isn’t necessarily of utmost importance to the rest of the world.
Then again, when you live in an ivory tower, perhaps your perspective of reality is somewhat skewed.
Oh yeah, I fixed the Jones link, Mike. I think he and Carl Trueman have the best perspective on this thing.
I wish I’d read the Jones article before I commented above:
http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2011/03/before-you-read-love-wins-by-rob-bell.html
I understand him to say that this is about brand or tribe or whatever you want to call it.
Fair enough. I guess when your Christianity and your systematic theology are one and the same a challenge to one is a challenge to the other.
I agree.
I also think that Justin Taylor – the guy who started this “discussion” with his blog post responding to the book’s promotional video – in his mind was responding to heresy, and in practice was also swallowing whole the bait that HarperOne laid down.
There’s a whole school of fish swimming right behind Taylor, too, ready and willing to take a bite.