because of the inside-evangelicalism controversy over it. Not to mention, two of my really smart friends beat me to it. If you want to read two well-written reviews check out Jim Zartman's and Steve Fuller's blogs.I knew going in that I wanted to like the book because I felt that Bell was probably unfairly attacked by Piper and others before the book released. To be honest, I haven't read Bell before. I have used some of his Nooma Videos and listened to a few of his sermons. I have been profoundly shaped by CS Lewis, NT Wright, Dallas Willard and (of late) Timothy Keller. This book was influenced by those thinkers as well. There is nothing in the book that cannot be found in the writings of those men. So, this stuff wasn't new to me. It's filled with the kind of Kingdom thinking that kept me from abandoning Christianity in my twenties. What makes it different than the others is Bell's tone. His style is smart yet simple and modern. I have no doubt that I will recommend this book to dozens of people this year. And so...I recommend and endorse it here as well. Not because it is or isn't controversial. I'm a little past caring about that stuff. I recommend it because it contains the gospel as I understand it today. I agree with 90% of it. And, no. I won't tell you what the 10% is that I disagree with...because I haven't figured that out myself yet.
3 comments:
Our small group is reading this, thanks to your endorsement.
My take so far: Rob Bell is a POET. He speaks in images, thick with meaning, and every word creates a space to ponder . . .
Case in brief (p.61) "Right now, we're trying to embrace our lover, but we're wearing a hazmat suit (. . .) We're trying to taste the thirty-two different spices in the curry, but our mouth is filled with gravel."
I agree! I also think there are parts I disagree with but I'm not sure what they are yet. Also, I found this book much less spirit-stretching than Velvet Elvis - one I return to time and again.
@anjoo - Yes! He is a poet!
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