There has been over the course of the last week or so some controversy arise in the "evangelical" world over a new book to be released by emergent guru and Nooma creator Rob Bell entitled "Love Wins." The controversy centers around claims and statements that Bell makes in regards to hell and eternal separation from God. Let me preface this entire blog by saying I have not read the book (I'm not cool enough to get a pre-released copy) and I may or may not read it. In fact this blog post has little to do with Bell's book or the controversy around it, though based on what I see a word of caution and discernment is advised in reading anything from any man, especially one with such liberal views on Scriptures and the atoning work of Christ.
Enough with that, my message to us today centers around the response in our lives to reprove. In this case emergent minded men and women, I have not seen or heard anything from Bell, have blasted faithful men like John Piper, Justin Taylor, and a host of other solid men for their stance on this dangerous theology, claiming that these men are ravenous wolves, haters, and one blogger even comparing Piper to Vito Corleone.
My question is when did it become an act of hate to call out men that have massive influence when they are endanger of leading people astray. When did love become something that never has hard conversations or forsakes accountability so that everyone just gets along. When did we as a people become so sacred of someone telling us we are wrong? And when did it become wrong to examine our hearts to see if we did say something to offend or are in danger?
I guess this is what Paul faced when he called out the Judaizers in Galatians 1, or when Jesus rebukes Peter and calls him satan, or when the writer of Hebrews say in chapter 12, says that we should love and seek out discipline and reproof, for it shapes us and keeps us accountable to the walk that we so desperately want to see.
In using this example, I am simply stating that we have become a people who never want to be told right from wrong, we never want to love in a way that sometimes seems harsh but is meant for our good.
It is why we have men acting like boys when they are in their mid 30's, its why divorce rate is at an alarming high, it is why the pulpits in American have become a place for selling a bill of goods rather then teaching the loving, and sometimes harsh truth of the Scriptures and the glory of God.
Think about it, are you ok with someone calling you out, and are you quick to examine your heart or do you immediately get defensive? Are you prone to anger quickly or do you pray, seek counsel and clarity?
I will leave you with one good example of this, that came to my attention recently. John MacArthur, a faithful preacher, made a few remarks about a book written by Darrin Patrick entitled "Church Planter", where I believe pastor John misread and misunderstood the point, Patrick instead of ranting and raving and getting all his Acts 29 boys to hit the blogosphere he wrote a letter in response to pastor John explaining the passage and even going so far as to sit down with him and explain more.
I hope this is an encouragement to you to seek, reprove, rebuke, discipline, is ok, it is not something that we should run from, it will help keep us on solid ground, it will help keep us rooted and grounded in the rock and truth of Jesus. Seek out men and women that love you and desire the best for you and live in a place of humility.
About Me
- Fellowship Church Lubbock
- We are not perfect, but we have been saved by the one who is. He did it by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, revealed infallibly by the Scripture alone.
Brandon, I appreciate you approaching this issue after some time has passed, and with a cool head.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't feel like Piper's "comments" (if we can dignify them with that label) are what I would consider a godly rebuke.
"Farewell, Rob Bell" does not sound like the words of a man attempting to guide a fellow brother in Christ away from unsound doctrine, it sounds like an arrogant excommunication of someone you disagree with, if no despise.
Also, when we look at the examples you posted we need to remember that Paul is trying to free believers from the bounds of doctrine.
The Judaizers are saying that to be a Christian you have to do this, and this, and this -- while Paul stresses that this distorts the freeing gospel of Christ.
Throughout the gospels most of the people who argue with Jesus are those trying to impose doctrine over love.
I don't quite see how the passage in Matthew pertains to this specific situation, unless you're saying that as Peter doesn't want Jesus to die, so Bell doesn't want the unsaved to burn forever. But, I feel like this is a false comparison as Peter was protesting an awful act that would bring redemption (he just didn't realize that) whereas Bell may or may not be protesting an awful act that brings only damnation.
As for it being an act of hate to call someone out, I cannot conscience Justin Taylor essentially calling Bell -- who has helped many people, (myself and at one time yourself included) come to a deeper knowledge of Christ -- a servant of Satan. That is not an appropriate rebuke.
Also I think you're kind of railing against yourself in a way. You say that the emergents (whom Bell has publicly disassociated from) whom you contrast with the "faithful" reform leaders are wrong because they rebuked the reformers. But, the reformers are right for rebuking the emergents.
I think this whole incident has revealed a horrible polemic breaking out in modern American Christianity, and I don't know if it's going to be easily resolved when men of Piper's standing openly dismiss (not rebuke) faithful men like Bell.
I'm amused by the reformers are Godfather characters though. Piper is Don Vito, Keller is Tom, Driscoll has to be Sonny, and Francis Chan is Michael.
You can read more of my thoughts on this on my blog, kylewritesabouttheology.blogspot.com
your brother in Christ,
kyle gregory
Also, I'm a little uncomfortable classifying everyone who enjoys Rob Bell (or doesn't agree with Piper) as emergents.
ReplyDeleteKyle, I think what Brandon's point is, there were some wrongdoing on a lot of peoples' part. Saying that there is no consequence of eternal hell is contrary to the Bible. Saying that someone is a work of Satan and "Farewell, Rob Bell" are inappropriate responses. People jumping the gun and being hateful toward John Piper and the Taylor guy (I personally don't follow him) is also not appropriate. Sometimes it's not ok to agree to disagree when it comes to the determination of one's eternal judgment. When Jesus told Satan to get out of Peter, he still loved Peter. After all, it literally was just a few sentences after Jesus was so pleased with Peter for claiming Him as the Messiah. At that moment, Peter had just heard Jesus say he wasn't going to be around much longer right after Peter came to the recognition that the promised Messiah had JUST gotten there. Peter panicked and lost his focus and Satan immediately found a way in to use him for his mission: doubt that Jesus will fulfill/fulfilled what he did. Is not not, after all, true that Satan WANTS people to believe there is no eternal hell? And the reference of Paul's perspective is that before we rush to rebuke people of their wrongdoing, we need to pray, pray, PRAY that we respond with the words of the Holy Spirit and out of love. Being in the limelight and having a "famous twitter account" people are prone at one point or another to say the wrong thing. It does not change their character or make them horrible people. Well, I take that back...we are all horrible people and are undeserving of Christ's forgiveness! But what we are to do to reflect Jesus' character is to respond in love and not judgment. A servant is only judged by his one true Master and we are not in the least bit in the right to pass judgment to others whether they stand or fall. I think what Brandon is trying to portray is not who is right between Rob Bell, John Piper or Taylor. But simply that none of us have the place to respond in anger. And a ton of us do. Way too many of us are broken, bitter, unforgiving, resentful and judgmental when we don't take the time to stop and evaluate, as servants before our Master, to evaluate or examine our own hearts. Brandon is simply trying to stop the cycle while it's already spinning out of control. And that's only possible when we respond in love...unconditional love....Christ's love.
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