My Plea To Pastors About Rob Bell (Part 2)

Well it would seem that Ron Dawson, who I spoke about yesterday, is still confused about some things. He has made another lengthy response to yesterdays post (it's in the comments section). As a professing Christian, Ron still doesn't think that itsy bitsy issue of Rob Bell being a universalist is worth splitting hairs over. Ron, I will remind you again that Paul clearly said:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)

Furthermore he stated:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)

Now Ron, please explain how universalism fails to qualify as another gospel?

In Rob Bell's own words:

So this reality, this forgiveness, this reconciliation, is true for everybody. Paul insisted that when Jesus died on the cross he was reconciling ‘all things, in heaven and on earth, to God. This reality then isn’t something we make true about ourselves by doing something. It is already true. Our choice is to live in this new reality or cling to a reality of our own making. (Velvet Elvis p146, emphasis mine)

If everybody is already reconciled to God why were we given the ministry of reconciliation? There are so many things you are confused about. You said that Rob Bell doesn't focus on repentance. Dude - he never talks about it . . . except for when he completely redefines the meaning to something about celebration. Find that meaning of repentance for me Ron? You yourself said that repentance is necessary in order to be saved. You also said that thousands of people are coming to Christ through Rob's teaching. Yet Rob never calls people to repentance. You continually refute yourself. This is just straight orthodoxy Ron. Jesus Himself warned in Luke 13 that "unless you repent you will perish". Sounds a little too much like a Bullhorn guy doesn't it? Paul made it clear that verbal communication of the Gospel message is God's means for bringing people to Christ:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)

Where does Paul say that "you are the gospel" or "how shall they see unless you live in the way of Jesus". No - it is verbal, how shall they hear! Yes, we should be salt and light in this evil world as an outward sign of the Spirit's inner work but don't confuse that with preaching the Gospel. This is all a very big deal which is why I am taking the time to try and reason with you about this. I am concerned for you Ron - really! I need to be provocative and jarring to your senses because they have been dulled to the point where you think Rob Bell and I preach the same gospel in different ways. Please wake up!

You also claim that Rob Bell's Bullhorn video is not a caricature. C'mon Ron! He's hired an actor to portray an open-air preacher in a very pathetic light. Yes, there are bad open air preachers out there, but I've never met an open air guy like this (and I've met a lot).



You're telling me that is not a caricature. A nerdy guy making gospel tracts during his work time? If you watch the whole video you see this guy is forgetful, doesn't talk to people around him, and is quite repulsive to everyone in his path. Notice also that all of Rob's criticisms are accusations of the open air preacher saying things that are true including calling people to repentance. You'll also hear that his whole basis for rejecting the validity of open air preaching is pragmatism ie nobody was listening. Pragmatism is not a grounds for rejecting open air preaching (think about Noah 120 years of preaching and noone repented), and even if pragmatism was a legitimate grounds, I can tell you countless stories of drawing hundreds of people to hear the gospel who would never enter a church building. I have seen the subjects of sin, righteousness, and judgment hold the undivided attention of sailors out for a night on the town.

And then Rob caps it all off by saying that he wants to talk to the bullhorn guys - well he doesn't. None of the bullhorn guys can seem to get in touch with him. So he cariciatures them, mocks them for preaching the truth, markets the video, won't respond to the questions of the people he ridicules, and makes money out of the whole thing, all the while making life harder for the those faithful laborers out there preaching in the public square.

It might be lengthy but I think this TV interview with two bullhorn guys will respond to all of Ron's objections and typcasting regarding open air preaching. Ron, please watch this through before writing another comment . . .



Ron, you said you are not a theologian. That is not true. Everyone is a theologian - the question is whether they're a good one or a bad one.

Go On To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1

Rob Hughes and Cameron Buettel - The Full TV Interview

Here it is - the interview in FULL.
Rob Hughes and Cameron Buettel were invited on October 1st 2008 to appear on Revelation TV. It was a live 90 minute TV interview addressing the topic of open air preaching and the purity of the Gospel. These are much maligned topics that get little or no discussion in the Christian media. It is for this reason, and the pressing importance of spreading the Gospel in a hell bound world that I believe the interview is worth the view.

This video initially appeared with the first 52 minutes of the interview. However, the final half hour of the interview where the Cross of Jesus Christ and God's saving Grace were discussed were not on the intial uploaded video. Well, now the interview is uploaded in it's entirity and is available for those of you who would like to see how the program finished.

Bullhorn Guys Cameron Buettel and Rob Hughes appearance on Revelation TV

Here it is . . . at least the first 52 minutes of it. I'll try and get the whole interview up later.

Revelation TV Wrap Up

Well, last night was the night where I made my Television debut. Of course I have previously appeared in Way of the Master TV series being run over by a tank but this was my first speaking role. It was an interview with my good friend Rob Hughes from London where we discussed open air preaching on Revelation TV in the UK.

I think the show went well and the host seemed very positive and supportive towards our passion. I believe the Gospel was soundly explained and we got to do with many major issues concerning "modern evangelism" and the true Gospel. We have the DVD and hope to upload it as soon as possible so those who wish to see it can.

But right now I've got a train to catch - I gotta scoot!

Stay tuned for when we post the video on the internet Lord willing.

Live Cross from London - Wesley and Whitefield's Stomping Ground

Yes I'm actually in London. I have the great priveledge of being invited onto Revelation TV in the UK to discuss open air preaching.

Today has been a special blessing on the food front. I got to eat a meat pie, some nando's chicken, and a Crunchie bar for the first time in 2 years. Hardly suffering like Wesley and Whitefield did.

I will be appearing with Londoner Rob Hughes (from operation513.com) who is an avid open air preacher and reformed theologian. The program is called "Word in Focus" and can be streamed live at 9pm (UK time) at this site www.revelationtv.com

How appropriate to talk about open air preaching in the heartland of Wesley, Whitefield, Spurgeon, and William Booth. It was the field preaching of the "Great Awakening" that transformed England from a moral cesspool to the high point of world culture. Not only that but countless hell bound souls were saved through their preaching. Our agenda is, of course, to follow in their footsteps and faithfully proclaim the Once For All Delivered Glorious Gospel to a culture in decline.

It is foolish to think that open air preaching is no longer relevant. As a Christian our relevance lies in our difference. What could be more relevant than bringing to men's attention the certainty of death and judgement that awaits. It is also foolish to think that it was somehow easier in the days of the Great Awakening. Wesley and Whitefield were men who were shot at and stoned for their labor. And labor they did preaching ceaselessly from town to town on horseback spending and being spent on the cause of Christ. These men preached themselves to the grave. We have lot to thank them for and a responsibility to continue in their vein.

Here is an excerpt from George Whitefield's life:

Whitefield preached a schedule that would have destroyed even a healthy man, and Whitefield was far from healthy. He preached usually thirteen sermons a week, each lasting one to two hours or more. It is estimated that he preached 18,000 sermons in his lifetime. Even when he tried to rest, the crowds forced him to continue.

Although thousands found faith and hope through Whitefield’s work, he also had tormentors and enemies. He was jeered and ridiculed, pelted with stones and dead cats, and even attacked and beaten by a man with a gold-headed cane. Nothing deterred or even delayed his preaching. He was fearless in his work and frequently proclaimed, “We are immortal till our work is done.”

Although suffering continually from asthma, Whitefield refused to give up his daily sermons. In 1769 he made his final trip to America, arriving in Savannah to work on converting his orphanage to a college. He traveled up the Atlantic coast with crowds at every stop. By the time he reached Boston, he was too ill to speak and spent three days in bed. On September 29, he was carried to Exeter, New Hampshire, where he prayed, “Lord Jesus, I am weary in your work, but not of your work. If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for you once more in the fields, seal your truth, and come home to die.” Barely able to stand, Whitefield preached for two hours on “Faith and Works”, and then went to his friend’s house in Newburyport for supper and bed. But when he tried to walk up the stairs to bed, dozens of people appeared at the parsonage and begged for just a short message. Whitefield stood on the steps and spoke until the candle he was holding in his hand burned down to his palm. He told a companion that his asthma was returning and, “I am dying.” At 6:00 the next morning he died. He was 55 years old.

In light of his life it is heavily convicting and reduces me to tears when I read these words by Whitefield: Had I a hundred hands, I could employ them all. The harvest is very great. I am ashamed I can do no more for him who has done so much for me.

Who am I to talk about open air preaching in the land of these great Christian pioneers? May God be glorified in my human weakness! Please pray for us.