free e-book: Clear as a Bell
Dear Reader,
Hello again! I’m back after a few months off for studies. (You can pray about that. I’ve recommitted to taking formal seminary classes, hopeful that God would lead me in the direction of whatever full-time ministry He has for me.)
I’ve compiled my earlier analyses of Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile (by Rob Bell and Don Golden). Simply click on my title, Clear as a Bell, and download for your own instruction. Also, if you believe it to be of value, please pass it on!
Thanks,
Chris
PS Starting September 3, I’ll be looking at a different popular text each day. More on that to come!
August 18th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Just discovered your site and want to link up as appropriate. I am in Oklahoma and blog also on http://r3publican.wordpress.com Would love to visit with you as you deem appropriate.
Blessings,
Sandie
skype sandiec99
twitter @scrosnoe
August 26th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Hey man,
I don’t want to pick a fight here. I do want to throw in a couple words.
What’s the purpose in your critical responses on this blog? It’s totally 100% true that the Bible is 100% true and that it means what it says. I’m there with ya on that point.
But legalism? Jesus spoke about love and relationship, and when he did scold or correct, he did it out of love. What you’ve said to Rob Bell and Rick Warren have been words nothing short of picking apart the strands rather then viewing the beautiful carpet as a whole. Having just read Rob Bell’s new book ‘Drops Like Stars’ I am soooo impressed with this man’s writing and ability to tell a story so impactful it left my eyes wet and my heart open. I’ve found your blog to do quite the opposite.
Red pen? Whatever happened to reading the red letters?
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Colin,
Hey there. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Been under a deadline.
To be clear, my purpose is posted among my pages. Nothing legalistic whatsoever in holding up the teachings of popular pastors against what it says in Scripture. In fact, the Berean were commended for it in Acts. (Of course, in our postmodern, post-Christian world today, one can’t be surprised for being called legalistic for simply doing what God commends.)
About your carpet metaphor. If I made a carpet out of the finest material, but used barbed wire for every 10th strand, you wouldn’t be able to tell from a distance that there was a problem. In fact, unless you made it a point to look very closely at the carpet, you might walk right on it without hesitating. And that’s just what people do when they read Bell and some others.
Never said Bell couldn’t write beautifully. I will say this: what he’s written in “Jesus Wants to Save Christians” sure ain’t biblical…and I’m pretty sure that’s the only standard that matters.
Polemics without apology,
Chris
September 7th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Hi Chris,
Welcome back. Glad to see that you are taking the time to look at Bell’s work. He’s tricky and a lot of people are very passionate about him as evidenced by Colin. Needless to say, his comments did not leave “my eyes wet and my heart open”. Seems like today that anyone who points out a potential problem in someone’s preaching or teaching is labeled as a mean spirited critic. Please keep up the good work despite what the defenders of apostasy might say.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Doug
September 12th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
brother chris…
what are you so mad at?
maybe if you actually spend time with, and or listen to rob or don teach, you might come to find they have good hearts and are trying to bring people closer to God and the way of Jesus…the way of loving one another and all of creation…
isn’t it possible that everyone could read and interpret any book differently…
what makes you so sure that you’re interpretation of the bible is so right?
why not make some room in your heart for trying to love and understand people better rather than trying to pick them apart in a seemingly un-loving way?
peace to you my friend…
September 14th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Jeffrey,
Great question…if it wasn’t clearly an attempt to mischaracterize me. Please ask yourself: Do I (Jeffrey) think that Roger Ebert was angry at all of those filmmakers that he gave “thumbs down” to over the years? Of course not. He simply had a standard in mind, and those particular films didn’t meet his standard. That’s how critical analysis works. You begin with a standard, and then you can make worthwhile comparisons…unless discerning truth from error has no place or value in today’s day and age…
Nothing but love for my brothers and sisters in the faith. Not picking apart anyone. I am, though, carefully examining the writing done by some. If a doctor gives your health a bad report, does that make him unloving?
To turn your own phrase, “Isn’t it possible that I (Chris) could correctly read and interpret Bell’s book as erroneous when held up against the truths of Scripture?” I’m guessing that – in your own universe – that’s simply not a possibilty.
What makes me sure that I’m interpreting the Bible rightly (thus far) is this: I have yet to have anyone call me on any of my observations. Instead, they (like you) try to mischaractize me, paint me out to be angry or something, when all I’m trying to do is carefully and lovingly defend the truth of God’s Word against the false teachings that have crept into the church. Not angry, not bitter, and not surprised whatsoever by your response.
Please consider reading the Bible as though a) God intended for us to understand it, and b) God expected us to obey what we read in it – because He does!
Chris
September 16th, 2009 at 9:38 am
PS http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue94.htm
September 18th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hello Chris. I found a link to your site at apprising.org- Ken Silvas site. Just want to thank you for such outstanding reviews. Many people are attempting to do a similar work and its quite obvious that many of them have not the expertise nor the tempermant for such a service to the body. Its more or less thankless work is it not?
I hope you pray through the occasional discouragement that comes from the many naive believers that wrongly judge those like you and comment on this site. They really don’t realize yet just how necessary and valuable your participation and defense of the gospel is, especially in this day and age. I especially enjoy the format which makes it somewhat easier to pinpoint the errors of others.Hopefully others will consider such an option as well.
Although I occasionally find myself involved in similar reviews (as recent as yesterday with the book STARK RAVING OBEDIENCE)which I would love you to review)It is based upon a methodology of listening prayer and although supposedly not affiliated with Mars Hill Church in Grandville, Mi is held on the property there. I find some good things discussed yet many troubling things as well. As I’m sure you know its no fun being invited to a friends special group he loves only to be subsequently asked what you thought about it. Let me put it this way, the friendship is retained but I’m not going back.
Living in Grand Rapids, Mi (the primary wasteland of Rob Bell and his supporters)I see and hear firsthand about the damage done. It’s literally unbelievable how many people have a cavalier attitude toward God’s sacred truth and the determination others have to defend individuals like him who long ago abandoned orthodox Christianity. I’m hoping to use my site (ekklesia underground- this is not the address)to teach real Christianity and encourage people to return to a New Testament style of living and believing.
Let me know if you desire the book. I’m done reading it and would love to hear what the Spirit speaks through you concerning it. Before you consider getting caught up in all that full time ministry stuff please do yourself a favor and read Dan Hubbels testimony IN SEARCH OF A NEW WINESKIN found at http://www.churchrestoration.org It’s not the status quo Christianity of most men though neither was the lifestyle of Jesus synonomous with those of His day.Hopefully it will keep you from making choices that you might regret later on in life. I know I would have.
Thanks again Chris, for your studied reviews, proper responses and earnest devotion to Christ and Him alone.
Standing in Him, Michael in Michigan