Due to my only form of internet access being my wife's iPhone, I have had to postpone the second installment of my series "The Days Of Noah" until Monday. I am sorry for breaking my word and hope that you can understand. Have you solved Wednesday's riddle? All will be revealed on Monday!
But I did think it would be a good idea to take the opportunity to respond to the many questions and comments I receive regarding heretic extraordinaire Rob Bell. Your requests have been heard so stay tuned for further and more detailed discussion concerning Mr Bell later this month.
I have no problem with Bell's books or teaching . . . so long as they stop classifying it as "Christian" and start filing it under "new age postmodern fiction". Rob Bell's theology has as much in common with Christianity as the Dalai Lama (at least the Dalai Lama doesn't pretend to be one) and I will be explaining why. In the mean time, if you click on the "Rob Bell" label under this post, you will find a fairly extensive archive of articles and information that I have compiled thus far. If you take the time to sift through it you may find some answers to your questions and a large amount of useful information.
And please tune in on Monday for the second installment of "The Days Of Noah" . . .
Weekend A La Carte (November 23)
6 hours ago
14 comments:
Hey cameron,
i think you might want to check your doctrine.... you seem to talk so much about others but maybe you need to read a little further in your study and ask why Baptism might be essential....? Just a thought....
why are you bringing up the subject of baptism?
I have solved the riddle. Can't wait for your next installment. Enjoy reading your blog.
Hi Cameron Buettel, Do check your email. It is about Rob bell..it is very interesting! More unbiased evidences to stay well aware from Rob bell teachings.
Cameron,
I wonder: what is the productive way you can go about giving your sermons. Why is it you feel the need, while relating your interpretation on this passage, to slam Rob Bell for seeking to bring in a different vantage point. Isn't the idea he lifts "a way" to see what's going on here (not necessarily the "only" way). I don't think Bell is asserting that he's found the end all say all of this verse - instead I think he hits on something valuable - Does Jesus choose us as disciples? Yeah. Does He believe (through Himself of course) that we can do what He does? Yes. Do we as disciples often doubt that we can do those things? YES! The thing is about encouragement, and you take a sliver of it, cast it up out of context, and throw rocks at it without Bell there to defend himself.
Rob Bell professes the Kingdom in a different language than what you use. As we see in the differences between how Paul, John, Peter, Luke, Matthew, and Mark communicate their theologies -there are more ways that one to do this - certainly more ways than the tired western theology that misses the mark from what the Gospel's contexts are about.
So, how can you communicate what Christ declares when saying "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the Good news!" in ways that don't include tearing another guy down and having an entire blog against him, calling him a heretic. Really? Come on, Rob Bell is not a "heretic". He's taking risks and asking us to look deeper. It's easy to call people who challenge us names to discredit them, but what happens when we take the challenges and grow from them?
Dear previous poster
Rob Bell doesn't proclaim the kingdom in different language. He preaches a different gospel altogether. I suggest you read through some of my other posts discussing Rob Bell where I itemize some of his numerous heresies. These include holding to a form of universalism, denying God's wrath against sinners, a failure to preach repentance, a wrong understanding of the Trinity, a denial of the divine inspiration of Scripture to name but a few. Click on the Rob Bell label and you will find references to these. But since you don't think that Bell is a heretic I invite you to articulate the Christian Gospel for the readers in your own words.
Hi Cameron,
This is "daredreamermedia" from the YouTube comments on your "Rob Bell Exposed" video. Just curious what your take is on the preachings of: Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Olsteen.
Ron, I know nothing of Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio.
I have had some concerns about a video of Francis Chan's that I was asked to review by the pastors of my previous church. I can't remember the name but he was carrying a surf board and philosophising a bit. But overall Francis seems to be solid on the Gospel and has just hosted a Way Of The Master "Transformed" evangelism conference. I do like the guy and I generally hear good things about him.
You will find several posts concerning Rick Warren and Joel Osteen in my archives. I am very critical of both of them. Just scroll a long way down and you will see a list of tags on the right. Look for their names and click on them.
Joyce Meyer is another I know little of but am aware that a lot of her teaching tends to be self-esteem focussed rather than esteeming Christ. She also is closely connected with the Word Faith teachers like Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. I highly recommend a DVD series by my dear friend Justin Peters called "A Call For Discernment" which is a scholarly expose on the prominent Word Faith TV evangelists including Joyce Meyer. You can get it at justinpeters.org
I hope that was of some help Ron.
Why does everyone like to argue? Regardless of whether Rob Bell's a heretic or not, you're placing judgments on a lot of people when you teach about the reality of your definition of Hell in these posts. Is it just to send someone off to suffer for eternity for sins committed during such a short life? What are the words eternal and torment translated from in the Bible Cameron? Have you looked into it? There is wisdom in looking beyond your own understanding sometimes and just checking to see if you're wrong by studying an alternate viewpoint. Our English Bibles are nothing like the original. It's sad. Regardless of how you take this, I hope that you continue to search for truth and that your life is blessed. Good day to you sir. Email me at ericchristianstanley@gmail.com if you'd like to have a calm discussion about this.
I just don't get how criticism and "Advocating the one true gosplel of Jesus Christ" go hand in hand? Jesus was and is LOVE. If anything, what you claim to do is a lie in itself. Jesus is about people...helping them grow. Many of the people you point out have brought THOUSANDS to know more and trust Jesus as their saviour. Do you assume that you can do it better than them? God chose them for a reason and a mighty purpose. I do not agree with EVERYTHING that they say, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. It really sadens me to see this type of behavior in Christians. Sir, you do not have it all together, no one does. Maybe there needs to be forgiveness towards someone, maybe towards yourself? With every negative thing you say, you get closer to cutting into Gods precious and holy bride. Men are jelous with their brides so be very careful with what you say. You matter to God. You were paid with a price. May you come to know the importance if His love. Be blessed.
Anonymous, you should ask the same question to the Apostle Paul who said:
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)
And
Romans 16:17 (KJV)
17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
And Ephesians 5:11
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Paul saw no contradiction between preaching the Gospel and opposing false ones. And it is quite logical to be frank. If you love the truth then you will hate error.
Also, since Rob Bell preaches a false heretical gospel thehow do people come to Christ through his preaching? Please answer that!
This is not about me being better or doing anything better than anyone else. It is about truth and error. I made claims and then substantiated them biblically rather than appealing to my own sentimental opinions. It would be nice if you extended me the same courtesy.
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Philipians 1:17-18
This is all I have to say. And that truly, I hope one day you may come to know the love and the purpose of this life! Our life is for those that will suffer an etenity in Hell if we don't tell them about Jesus. May your mission become that. Be blessed! And I no longer wish to continue this conversation.
Anonymous, you need to stop and listen to what I am saying. Philippians 1:17-18 is talking about people who preach the same gospel but with a different motive. Rob Bell preaches a different gospel and I have never even speculated on his motive - because I don't know it! Rob Bell preaches a gospel which denies God's sovereignty, man's depravity, judgment, the atonement, and the need to repent. He also denies the authority of Scripture. All of these points have been backed up multiple times on this blog. Again, Paul pronounces damnation on people who preach a different gospel and commands us to expose them. Your problem is not with me, it is with the plain teaching of the Bible.
All of this raises two questions I have for you:
1. Please explain the gospel to me in your own words because I am very concerned that you don't know it?
2. What authority does the Bible have in your life?
Also, if you are so concerned about people perishing in hell, then why are you defending someone who denies it's existence?
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