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'''Robert "Rob" Bell''' (born ] ]) is an ], ] speaker, and the founding ] of ] located in ]. He is also the featured speaker in the first series of spiritual ] called ], and has been tagged by some in the press as "the next ]."<ref>Findarticles.com </ref> Bell and his wife, Kristen, have two boys and live in ], a city which he affectionately calls "G-Rap".<ref>Findarticles.com </ref> '''Robert "Rob" Bell''' (born ] ]) is an ], storyteller, and the founding ] of ] located in ]. He is also the featured speaker in the first series of spiritual perspective ] called ]. Bell and his wife, Kristen, have two boys and live in ].


== Biography == ==Biography==
===Education and calling=== ===Education===
Bell, son of Judge Robert Holmes Bell, nominated by ] to the federal judiciary and publicly confirmed by the ], grew up in a traditional Christian environment. Bell grew up in a traditional Christian environment. He is the son of Judge ] who was nominated by ] to the federal judiciary and publicly confirmed by the ].


Rob later decided to attend ] without knowing what he wanted to study. While at Wheaton, he roomed with ] of ] and along with friends Dave Houk, Brian Erickson, Steve Huber, and Chris Fall formed the indie rock band, _ton bundle, which was reminiscent of bands like ] and ]; this is when _ton bundle wrote the song "Velvet Elvis," based upon the same velvet Elvis painting that he used in his first book ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith.'' (see '']''). Wheaton College was also where Bell met his wife, Kristen, whom he married a few years later. The band _ton bundle started to gain some local fame and was even asked to perform at some large events, however when Rob was struck with a head injury, these plans fell through. He tells this story in an interview with a member of the band ]'s ]. <ref>Jimmy Eat World's Blog </ref> Bell decided to attend ] without knowing what he wanted to study. While at Wheaton, Bell, along with friends Dave Houk, Brian Erickson, Steve Huber, and Chris Fall formed the indie rock band Ton Bundle, which was reminiscent of bands like ] and ]. Wheaton College was also where Bell met his wife, Kristen, whom he married a few years later. The band _ton bundle started to gain some local fame and was even asked to perform at some large events, however when Bell was struck with a head injury, these plans fell through. He tells this story in an interview with a member of the band ]'s ]. <ref>Jimmy Eat World's Blog </ref>


Later he formed the band ] and put out 2 CDs from 1995 to 1997; the first was a self-titled disk and the second was titled ''Via De La Shekel''. When asked what style of music they played, Rob would respond with Later he formed the band ] and put out 2 CDs from 1995 to 1997; the first was a self-titled disk and the second was titled ''Via De La Shekel''. When asked what style of music they played, Bell would respond with "Northern Gospel!" which later became a name of a song on the second album. Even after Big Fil stopped performing, Bell continued with two more projects by the name of ''Uno Dos Tres Communications volume 1 and 2'' both of which had a similar sound as Big Fil musically.
"Northern Gospel!" which later became a name of a song on the second album. Even after Big Fil stopped performing, Rob continued with 2 more projects by the name of ''Uno Dos Tres Communications volume 1 and 2'' which both had a similar sound as Big Fil musically.


Bell received his bachelor's degree in 1992 from Wheaton.
⚫ Bell received his bachelor's degree in 1992 from Wheaton and worked a job teaching water skiing in the summers at Wheaton College's Honey Rock Camp making only thirty dollars a week. During this time, Bell offered to teach a message to the camp counselors after no preacher could be found. Rob says the Spirit impelled him to accept the responsibility and taught a message about "rest". He believes that God led him to teaching at this moment. In preparation for his message, Rob nervously walked through the woods of the camp, he says he felt the presence of God and heard his words(not in an audible voice but inner words) saying, "teach this book, and I will take care of the rest". Bell was approached by several people each of them telling him that he needed to pursue teaching as a career.


===His ministry===
⚫ Bell moved to ] to pursue this calling and received an ] from ]. Bell claims that he never really got good grades in preaching class because he always tried new and innovative ways to communicate his ideas. During his time at Fuller he was a youth intern at Lake Avenue Church where he attended. He did, however, occasionally attend Christian Assembly in ] which led to he and his wife asking questions in the direction of what a new kind of church could look like.
====His calling====
⚫ After graduation, he taught water skiing in the summers at Wheaton College's Honey Rock Camp, making thirty dollars a week., Bell offered to teach a message to the camp counselors after no preacher could be found. Bell says the Spirit impelled him to accept the responsibility and taught a message about "rest". He believes that God led him to teaching at this moment. In preparation for his message, Bell nervously walked through the woods of the camp; he says he felt the presence of God and heard his words (not in an audible voice but inner words) saying, "Teach this book, and I will take care of the rest". Bell was approached by several people each of them telling him that he needed to pursue teaching as a career.


In ], Bell explains his vision of the Christian life. "The challenge," he says "is to live with great passion and conviction, remaining open and flexible, aware that this life is not the last painting."
In the January 2007 issue of the magazine
⚫ ''TheChurchReport.com'', Bell was named #10 in their list of "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America" as chosen by their readers and online visitors. <ref>The Insider, </ref>


⚫ Bell moved to ] to pursue this calling and received an ] from ]. Bell claims that he never really got good grades in preaching class because he always tried new and innovative ways to communicate his ideas. During his time at Fuller he was a youth intern at Lake Avenue Church where he attended. He did, however, occasionally attend Christian Assembly in ] which led to him and his wife asking questions in the direction of what a new kind of church could look like.
===Founding Mars Hill===
⚫ Bell and his wife moved from California to Grand Rapids to be close to family and also based on an invitation to study under acclaimed pastor ]. He handled many of the preaching duties for the Saturday Night service at Calvary Church. Bell announced to Calvary that he would be branching out on his own to start a new kind of community and he would call it "Mars Hill" after the Greek site where the apostle Paul told a group "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."<ref>New International Version </ref>


====Founder of MHBC====
⚫ In February 1999, Bell founded ], with the church originally meeting in a school gym in ]. Within a year the church was given a shopping mall in ] and purchased the surrounding land. In July 2000 the 3,500 "grey chair" facility opened its doors. ], over 10,000 people attend the three "gatherings" on Sundays, and some estimates now clock the traffic at over 11,000 per week.<ref>The Charleston Post and Courier </ref> His teachings at Mars Hill inspired the popular '''Love Wins''' bumper sticker, ] even gives these stickers away after services.<ref>Christianity Today </ref>
⚫ Bell and his wife moved from California to Grand Rapids to be close to family and also based on an invitation to study under acclaimed pastor ]. He handled many of the preaching duties for the Saturday Night service at Calvary Church. Bell announced to Calvary that he would be branching out on his own to start a ] of community and he would call it "Mars Hill Bible Church" after the Greek site where the apostle Paul told a group "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."<ref>New International Version </ref>


⚫ In February 1999, Bell founded ], with the church originally meeting in a school gym in ]. Within a year the church was given a shopping mall in ] and purchased the surrounding land. In July 2000 the 3,500 "grey chair" facility opened its doors. ], over 10,000 people attend the three "gatherings" on Sundays.
⚫ ===Other Projects===

⚫ Rob Bell is the featured speaker in the first series of ]s - a series of 18 short films that explore questions that might arise as a person explores the Christian faith. The title of the videos, "NOOMA", is an English variation of the Greek word "pneuma" which means wind or spirit. The videos also feature the music of the Icelandic band ], with '']'''s music being licensed for the Nooma DVD called Lump. Other music used in the Nooma's has been written and sung by independent artists.
⚫ ====Other Projects====
⚫ Bell is the featured speaker in the first series of ]s - a series of short films that explore questions that might arise as a person explores the Christian faith. The title of the videos, "NOOMA", is an English variation of the Greek word "pneuma" which means wind or spirit.


In February and March of 2007 Bell hosted a SEX GOD tour on six university campuses (UofM, UK, UW, CAL, UCLA, Northern) to promote his book. The tour functioned more as a time for engaging questions and conversation. Questions ranged from Old Testament codes to homosexuality to what should we do with the word "evangelical". Each night ended with the showing of NOOMA number 15 entitled "YOU". In February and March of 2007 Bell hosted a SEX GOD tour on six university campuses (UofM, UK, UW, CAL, UCLA, Northern) to promote his book. The tour functioned more as a time for engaging questions and conversation. Questions ranged from Old Testament codes to homosexuality to what should we do with the word "evangelical". Each night ended with the showing of NOOMA number 15 entitled "YOU".


In August 2005, ] published Bell's first book, ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith''. ''Velvet Elvis'' is for people who are, in Bell's words, "fascinated with ], but can't do the standard Christian package". In ], Rob Bell explains his vision of the Christian life. "The challenge," he says "is to live with great passion and conviction, remaining open and flexible, aware that this life is not the last painting." His second book, titled '']: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality'', was released in March 2007. In August 2005, ] published Bell's first book, ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith''. ''Velvet Elvis'' is for people who are, in Bell's words, "fascinated with ], but can't do the standard Christian package". His second book, titled '']: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality'', was released in March 2007.


His ''Everything is Spiritual'' national speaking tour launched on ] ] in ] drawing sold-out crowds in cities across North America. The proceeds from ticket sales were used to support ], an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping people escape the poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation. A tour of the United Kingdom is planned for the summer of 2007. This tour will be available on DVD winter of 2006/2007 according to publicist Karen Campbell. His ''Everything is Spiritual'' national speaking tour launched on ] ] in ] drawing sold-out crowds in cities across North America. The proceeds from ticket sales were used to support ], an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping people escape the poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation. A tour of the United Kingdom is planned for the summer of 2007. Everything is Spiritual is available on DVD from , which includes a preview clip.


⚫ In the January 2007 issue of the magazine ''TheChurchReport.com'', Bell was named #10 in their list of "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America" as chosen by their readers and online visitors. <ref>The Insider, </ref>
In November and early December of 2007, Rob Bell is speaking across the country in his "the gods aren't angry" tour. On the website, it is described as:
"Part anthropology, part history, part deconstruction - this is new material that Rob hasn't taught before, exploring how humans invented religion to make themselves feel better." Proceeds from "the gods aren't angry tour" will go to the Turame Microfinance Project. <ref>the gods aren't angry tour </ref>


⚫ == Criticism and Response ==


⚫ == Criticism ==
⚫ While Rob Bell has never claimed an association with the movement, Bell's critics often associate him with the ] movement, pointing out that Bell teaches that the church should embrace mystery and doubt rather than certainty. In his writings, Bell affirms truth regardless of the source, saying "I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God." <ref>Beliefnet </ref> "This is not just the same old message with new methods. We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God."<ref>Christianity Today </ref> Bell's comments about Christianity as an "Eastern" religion come from his association with ]<ref> </ref>, who compares and contrasts Greek ("Western") thinking with Hebrew ("Eastern") thinking. <ref>Ray Vander Laan </ref>


===Negative===
⚫ His teaching is often characterized as postmodern, he does not believe that all the answers can be found in "Scripture alone." 'Brickianity' is the term he uses to describe churches that emphasize ] as doctrine. He writes that doctrines should be more like springs, helping people jump joyfully toward God.<ref>Beliefnet </ref>
⚫ While Bell has never formally claimed an association with the ] movement, but voices within this movement such as ] and ] have spoken at Mars Hill Bible church in Grandville, Michigan. Bell's critics often, pointing out that Bell teaches that the church should embrace mystery and doubt rather than certainty. In his writings, Bell affirms truth regardless of the source, saying "I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God." <ref>Beliefnet </ref> "This is not just the same old message with new methods. We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God."<ref>Christianity Today </ref>

⚫ His teaching is often characterized as postmodern; he does not believe that all the answers can be found in "Scripture alone." 'Brickianity' is the term he uses to describe churches that emphasize doctrine. He writes that doctrines should be more like springs, helping people jump joyfully toward God.<ref>Beliefnet </ref>

Some conservative Christians have claimed that Bell's teaching of the gospel as described in the book ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'' is flawed and compromises many essential Christian doctrines along with the basic message of the gospel.<ref>Rev. Casey Freswick </ref>


Immediately following the release of his book ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'', some evangelicals criticized some comments made in the book, especially those focused on the virgin birth of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity: Immediately following the release of his book ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'', some evangelicals criticized some comments made in the book, especially those focused on the virgin birth of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity:
Line 48: Line 53:
''"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry's tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being "born of a virgin" also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"''<ref>Rob Bell, ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'', Zondervan, 2005 ISBN 0-310-26345-X, p. 26</ref> ''"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry's tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being "born of a virgin" also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"''<ref>Rob Bell, ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'', Zondervan, 2005 ISBN 0-310-26345-X, p. 26</ref>


However residing on only the next page (p. 27) Rob comments on how, "I affirm the historic Christian faith, which includes the virgin birth and the trinity". Many claim that the outrage over these words only further the point that Rob was trying to make. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} That if we question our faith, for some people it can crumble. (p. 26) Commenting on the outrage on stage at ] a very candid Bell informed the congregation on how "reporters can use little sections of anything to twist what I say" and how those who haven't read the book have no basis of argument. However residing on only the next page (p. 27) Bell comments on how, "I affirm the historic Christian faith, which includes the virgin birth and the trinity". Many claim that the outrage over these words only further the point that Bell was trying to make. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} That if we question our faith, for some people it can crumble. (p. 26) Commenting on the outrage on stage at ] a very candid Bell informed the congregation on how "reporters can use little sections of anything to twist what I say" and how those who haven't read the book have no basis of argument.


Some evangelicals see these words as heretical and neo-liberal. Rev. Casey Freswick, in an article entitled ''Postmodern Liberalism: Repainting a Non-Christian Faith'', commented:
⚫ In a ] article entitled ''The Next Billy Graham?'', Bell says of his critics:
"Rob Bell's position is the repainting of historic liberal theology." <ref>Rev. Casey Freswick </ref>


=== Response ===
⚫ ''"When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is in question, actually it's their social, economic and political system that has been built in the name of Jesus that's being threatened," Bell says. "Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism is somebody who's created a facade that's not working...But I love everybody and you're next!" he says, giggling. "That's how I respond to criticism"''<ref>Findarticles.com </ref>
⚫ In a ] article, Bell says of his critics:


⚫ ''"When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is in question, actually it's their social, economic and political system that has been built in the name of Jesus that's being threatened," Bell says. "Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism is somebody who's created a facade that's not working... But I love everybody and you're next!" he says, giggling. "That's how I respond to criticism"''<ref>Findarticles.com </ref>
⚫ == Bibliography ==

== Trivia ==
{{Trivia|date=December 2007}}
* Bell's college band ] wrote a song titled "Velvet Elvis", based upon the same velvet Elvis painting that he used in his first book ''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith.'' (see '']'')
* He has (]) been the teacher in 18 ]s.
* Bell is a fan of the Icelandic band ]; he used their song ''Takk'' in his ] tour. The band '']'''s music was licensed for the Nooma called Lump. The music used in the Nooma's is written and sung by independent artists. There is a soundtrack album featuring the music of the first 10 Noomas available on the Nooma stuff page at nooma.com. m
* He affectionately calls the city in which he lives (]) "G-Rap".<ref>Findarticles.com </ref>
* Despite their theological differences, Bell says that he has utmost respect for ]. Bell has been tagged by some in the press as "the next ]."<ref>Findarticles.com </ref>
* His teachings inspired the popular '''Love Wins''' bumper sticker, ] even gives these stickers away after services.<ref>Christianity Today </ref>
* His church grew from 2,000 people, in two years to 10,000 regular attending people. Estimates now clock the traffic at over 11,000 per week.<ref>The Charleston Post and Courier </ref>
* While at Wheaton College, Bell roomed with ] of ].
* Bell is an avid fan of former South African president ]. He frequently sports Nelson Mandela shirts on-stage at Mars Hill. In an interview, Bell stated, "the people who really move us, like Nelson Mandela ... at the end of the day have this innocence."

⚫ ==Bibliography==
*''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'' (Zondervan, 2005) ISBN 0-310-26345-X *''Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith'' (Zondervan, 2005) ISBN 0-310-26345-X
*''Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality'' (Zondervan, 2007) ISBN 0-310-26346-8 *''Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality'' (Zondervan, 2007) ISBN 0-310-26346-8


== External links ==
⚫ ===Articles and Resources===
*
⚫ *
*

⚫ ==Articles and Resources==
*
*
⚫ *
* *
* *
* *
*
*


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 03:36, 10 December 2007

For the baseball player, see Rob Bell (baseball player).
File:Vvaduva robbell1.jpg
Rob Bell, Everything is Spiritual Tour, Cleveland, Ohio; Photograph: Virgil Vaduva

Robert "Rob" Bell (born August 23 1970) is an author, storyteller, and the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church located in Grandville, Michigan. He is also the featured speaker in the first series of spiritual perspective short films called NOOMA. Bell and his wife, Kristen, have two boys and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Biography

Education

Bell grew up in a traditional Christian environment. He is the son of Judge Robert Holmes Bell who was nominated by Ronald Reagan to the federal judiciary and publicly confirmed by the United States Senate.

Bell decided to attend Wheaton College without knowing what he wanted to study. While at Wheaton, Bell, along with friends Dave Houk, Brian Erickson, Steve Huber, and Chris Fall formed the indie rock band Ton Bundle, which was reminiscent of bands like R.E.M. and Talking Heads. Wheaton College was also where Bell met his wife, Kristen, whom he married a few years later. The band _ton bundle started to gain some local fame and was even asked to perform at some large events, however when Bell was struck with a head injury, these plans fell through. He tells this story in an interview with a member of the band Jimmy Eat World's blog.

Later he formed the band Big Fil and put out 2 CDs from 1995 to 1997; the first was a self-titled disk and the second was titled Via De La Shekel. When asked what style of music they played, Bell would respond with "Northern Gospel!" which later became a name of a song on the second album. Even after Big Fil stopped performing, Bell continued with two more projects by the name of Uno Dos Tres Communications volume 1 and 2 both of which had a similar sound as Big Fil musically.

Bell received his bachelor's degree in 1992 from Wheaton.

His ministry

His calling

After graduation, he taught water skiing in the summers at Wheaton College's Honey Rock Camp, making thirty dollars a week., Bell offered to teach a message to the camp counselors after no preacher could be found. Bell says the Spirit impelled him to accept the responsibility and taught a message about "rest". He believes that God led him to teaching at this moment. In preparation for his message, Bell nervously walked through the woods of the camp; he says he felt the presence of God and heard his words (not in an audible voice but inner words) saying, "Teach this book, and I will take care of the rest". Bell was approached by several people each of them telling him that he needed to pursue teaching as a career.

In Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, Bell explains his vision of the Christian life. "The challenge," he says "is to live with great passion and conviction, remaining open and flexible, aware that this life is not the last painting."

Bell moved to Pasadena, California to pursue this calling and received an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bell claims that he never really got good grades in preaching class because he always tried new and innovative ways to communicate his ideas. During his time at Fuller he was a youth intern at Lake Avenue Church where he attended. He did, however, occasionally attend Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, California which led to him and his wife asking questions in the direction of what a new kind of church could look like.

Founder of MHBC

Bell and his wife moved from California to Grand Rapids to be close to family and also based on an invitation to study under acclaimed pastor Ed Dobson. He handled many of the preaching duties for the Saturday Night service at Calvary Church. Bell announced to Calvary that he would be branching out on his own to start a new kind of community and he would call it "Mars Hill Bible Church" after the Greek site where the apostle Paul told a group "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."

In February 1999, Bell founded Mars Hill Bible Church, with the church originally meeting in a school gym in Wyoming, Michigan. Within a year the church was given a shopping mall in Grandville, Michigan and purchased the surrounding land. In July 2000 the 3,500 "grey chair" facility opened its doors. As of 2007, over 10,000 people attend the three "gatherings" on Sundays.

Other Projects

Bell is the featured speaker in the first series of NOOMAs - a series of short films that explore questions that might arise as a person explores the Christian faith. The title of the videos, "NOOMA", is an English variation of the Greek word "pneuma" which means wind or spirit.

In February and March of 2007 Bell hosted a SEX GOD tour on six university campuses (UofM, UK, UW, CAL, UCLA, Northern) to promote his book. The tour functioned more as a time for engaging questions and conversation. Questions ranged from Old Testament codes to homosexuality to what should we do with the word "evangelical". Each night ended with the showing of NOOMA number 15 entitled "YOU".

In August 2005, Zondervan Publishing published Bell's first book, Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith. Velvet Elvis is for people who are, in Bell's words, "fascinated with Jesus, but can't do the standard Christian package". His second book, titled Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality, was released in March 2007.

His Everything is Spiritual national speaking tour launched on June 30 2006 in Chicago drawing sold-out crowds in cities across North America. The proceeds from ticket sales were used to support WaterAid, an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping people escape the poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation. A tour of the United Kingdom is planned for the summer of 2007. Everything is Spiritual is available on DVD from , which includes a preview clip.

In the January 2007 issue of the magazine TheChurchReport.com, Bell was named #10 in their list of "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America" as chosen by their readers and online visitors.


Criticism

Negative

While Bell has never formally claimed an association with the Emerging Church movement, but voices within this movement such as Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt have spoken at Mars Hill Bible church in Grandville, Michigan. Bell's critics often, pointing out that Bell teaches that the church should embrace mystery and doubt rather than certainty. In his writings, Bell affirms truth regardless of the source, saying "I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God." "This is not just the same old message with new methods. We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God."

His teaching is often characterized as postmodern; he does not believe that all the answers can be found in "Scripture alone." 'Brickianity' is the term he uses to describe churches that emphasize doctrine. He writes that doctrines should be more like springs, helping people jump joyfully toward God.

Some conservative Christians have claimed that Bell's teaching of the gospel as described in the book Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith is flawed and compromises many essential Christian doctrines along with the basic message of the gospel.

Immediately following the release of his book Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, some evangelicals criticized some comments made in the book, especially those focused on the virgin birth of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity:

"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry's tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being "born of a virgin" also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"

However residing on only the next page (p. 27) Bell comments on how, "I affirm the historic Christian faith, which includes the virgin birth and the trinity". Many claim that the outrage over these words only further the point that Bell was trying to make. That if we question our faith, for some people it can crumble. (p. 26) Commenting on the outrage on stage at Mars Hill Bible Church a very candid Bell informed the congregation on how "reporters can use little sections of anything to twist what I say" and how those who haven't read the book have no basis of argument.

Some evangelicals see these words as heretical and neo-liberal. Rev. Casey Freswick, in an article entitled Postmodern Liberalism: Repainting a Non-Christian Faith, commented: "Rob Bell's position is the repainting of historic liberal theology."

Response

In a Chicago Sun Times article, Bell says of his critics:

"When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is in question, actually it's their social, economic and political system that has been built in the name of Jesus that's being threatened," Bell says. "Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism is somebody who's created a facade that's not working... But I love everybody and you're next!" he says, giggling. "That's how I respond to criticism"

Trivia

This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (December 2007)
  • Bell's college band _ton bundle wrote a song titled "Velvet Elvis", based upon the same velvet Elvis painting that he used in his first book Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith. (see Velvet Elvis)
  • He has (as of October 2007) been the teacher in 18 Noomas.
  • Bell is a fan of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós; he used their song Takk in his Everything is Spiritual tour. The band The Album Leaf's music was licensed for the Nooma called Lump. The music used in the Nooma's is written and sung by independent artists. There is a soundtrack album featuring the music of the first 10 Noomas available on the Nooma stuff page at nooma.com. m
  • He affectionately calls the city in which he lives (Grand Rapids, Michigan) "G-Rap".
  • Despite their theological differences, Bell says that he has utmost respect for Billy Graham. Bell has been tagged by some in the press as "the next Billy Graham."
  • His teachings inspired the popular Love Wins bumper sticker, Mars Hill Bible Church even gives these stickers away after services.
  • His church grew from 2,000 people, in two years to 10,000 regular attending people. Estimates now clock the traffic at over 11,000 per week.
  • While at Wheaton College, Bell roomed with Ian Eskelin of All Star United.
  • Bell is an avid fan of former South African president Nelson Mandela. He frequently sports Nelson Mandela shirts on-stage at Mars Hill. In an interview, Bell stated, "the people who really move us, like Nelson Mandela ... at the end of the day have this innocence."

Bibliography

  • Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Zondervan, 2005) ISBN 0-310-26345-X
  • Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality (Zondervan, 2007) ISBN 0-310-26346-8

External links

Articles and Resources

References

  1. Jimmy Eat World's Blog Interview with Rob Bell
  2. New International Version Acts 17:23
  3. The Insider, Jan 07: The 50 Most Influential Christians in America
  4. Beliefnet 'Velvet Elvis' Author Encourages Exploration of Doubts
  5. Christianity Today The Emergent Mystique
  6. Beliefnet 'Velvet Elvis' Author Encourages Exploration of Doubts
  7. Rev. Casey Freswick Postmodern Liberalism: Repainting a Non-Christian Faith (II) A Christian Critique of Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis
  8. Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, Zondervan, 2005 ISBN 0-310-26345-X, p. 26
  9. Rev. Casey Freswick Postmodern Liberalism: Repainting a Non-Christian Faith (II) A Christian Critique of Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis
  10. Findarticles.com Maverick minister taps new generation: Wheaton grad reaches out in
  11. Findarticles.com Maverick minister taps new generation: Wheaton grad reaches out in
  12. Findarticles.com Maverick minister taps new generation: Wheaton grad reaches out in
  13. Christianity Today The Emergent Mystique
  14. The Charleston Post and Courier Michigan pastor takes message to new places
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