I am mostly uninformed of the agenda, hidden or otherwise, of Rob Bell and his Mars Hill Church. By mostly uninformed, I mean that I haven't read the full content of any of his books, heard all of his sermons or read the bulk of his articles and essays. I confess that I haven't spent much time reading the criticisms of his gospel either, of which there is much.
What I do know is that his message speaks more of love and its application in life than issues of sin and its spiritual significance as traditionally interpreted. His treatment smells strongly of Universalism, despite his denial of it. He also speaks of working toward creating heaven on earth, an ideology that was tried and died at the turn of the last century. (This utopian point of view is also in favor with certain Muslim groups at the present time - their idea of heaven being an Islamic one of course.) Bell has also made strong statements in opposition to sola scriptura* as has been understood for millenia.
According to his critics, he is a heretic and has betrayed his education and calling to the Christian church.
Is he?
According to his supporters, he has a new message which appeals to a wider group of people than the old.
Does he and is he a new visionary of the EC (emerging church)?
*Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness.
What I do know is that his message speaks more of love and its application in life than issues of sin and its spiritual significance as traditionally interpreted. His treatment smells strongly of Universalism, despite his denial of it. He also speaks of working toward creating heaven on earth, an ideology that was tried and died at the turn of the last century. (This utopian point of view is also in favor with certain Muslim groups at the present time - their idea of heaven being an Islamic one of course.) Bell has also made strong statements in opposition to sola scriptura* as has been understood for millenia.
According to his critics, he is a heretic and has betrayed his education and calling to the Christian church.
Is he?
According to his supporters, he has a new message which appeals to a wider group of people than the old.
Does he and is he a new visionary of the EC (emerging church)?
*Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness.