Defending Rob Bell...

Not that Rob Bell needs me to defend him, but i just am tired of all the mean, and slanderous stuff out there that is truly not of Jesus. The last thing i want to do is turn this into a Rob Bell fanboy site, (not that anybody is reading what i post anyhow) however, I feel like i have to put this out there.

I believe Rob is pointing people to Jesus. 3 years ago i was very far from Jesus, and one night i stumbled upon the Mars Hill website and started downloading. after listening to rob's teachings, specifically his "mastering the art of living" series, i began to have a new and richer understanding of what it means to be a follow of Jesus. I have listened to every teaching of his i could get my hands on in the last 3 years. He has opened my eyes to scripture in ways i have never thought about before. I have embraced his teachings, because through his speech, my faith has been made stronger.

My friend and pastor (same guy) have been going round and round about Rob over the past few weeks, and now I found all these angry posts on the internet about How Rob is "not a christian" and "the gods should be angry". There are several sites and articles out there that have tons of Negative material regarding his teachings, and quotes from interviews. It is sad. I don't know why people feel like they have to dissect or debunk everything some pastors/teachers/communicators have to say. I guess it is the same motive that makes me sit here at 3:20 in the morning and write this.

I have no Seminary degree, I have not been alone in a room with rob bell, i cannot pull a book of hebrew writings off my shelf to back up what I say, But i can tell you that in the many many teachings that i have heard from the man, I do not get the controversy, or the heresy. I here a guy explaining jesus in ways that have not been communicated before (although you can skip the teaching from phillipians where he basically does a monologue as paul, he's eating an apple really really loud, and i wanted to grab him through the ipod and smack that apple out of his hand)

I was explaining to my friend a couple days ago, that what I hear is a guy teaching a lifestyle of submission and repentance that will, if investigated, and sought after will bring you to Jesus Christ. I find it incredibly interesting that there are so many vocal critics out there, and I have not once heard him respond. I have also not once heard him make political statements about the church, the emerging church, or against other pastors. I also listen to a guy named Mark Driscoll every week. Hes a phenomenal speaker as well. Polar opposite Of rob bell, and a couple weeks ago, he preached an entire sermon on the the emerging/emergent church and he called Rob out, as a Heretic.

watch the video clip up above, he is talking about jesus, and seeing life as a spiritual journey. I have seen some people claim that this makes Rob a universalist. I don't think that is the case. I See this as having a very perceptive, and conteptual view of reality and sprirtuality.

I believe Rob Bell is purposely approaching the gospel and Christianity from a truly subversive viewpoint. The point (as i see it) is searching for truth and providing a place/space where people ask questions and discover who God is.

I pray for Rob, and his ministry and His marriage, I do...I also pray that if i have been miselead, if i am wrong, that my eyes will be opened to this. I encourage all the critics and supporters alike to lift this guy up to the Father.