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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
“But in reading all of the passages in which Jesus uses the word "hell," what is so striking is that people believing the right or wrong things isn't his point. He's often not talking about "beliefs" as we think of them--he's talking about anger and lust and indifference. He's talking about the state of his listeners' hearts, about how they conduct themselves, how they interact with their neighbors, about the kind of effect they have on the world.” ~Rob Bell
4.5 stars. When this book was released in 2011, I was told not to read it. My Christian circle was abuzz with how Rob Bell had gone off the deep end into a swimming pool full of heresy. I was busy, and not really interested in reading books on theology or spirituality at the time, so I didn't read it until now, more than 10 years after it's release.
Honestly, I'm not going to make definitive statements on the "soundness" of Bell's theology, on whether or not he is actually "heretical". Because what I see in the bulk of this book is a man posing questions, not drawing and stating conclusions. He is asking "What if?" and more importantly "Why does any of this matter?" Sometimes, it does matter, and we should examine the reasons. Sometimes, it doesn't.
We are awfully quick to cry heresy in Christian circles. We're just waiting for someone to say the wrong thing, the thing that doesn't line up exactly and perfectly with our chosen doctrine, and then we crucify them for it. Even if that wrong thing they say is simply a question. Forget that Christianity is over 2,000 years old, and the very apostles and prophets we so dearly love to laud wrestled and yelled about these same questions for years. We all are descendants of that first century church, but what is cut-and-dry in my modern tradition would be unthinkable in yours. Yet we are both so certain that we are right.
Here is the meat of the issue, and honestly what I think is the takeaway of this book: Whatever you believe, whichever doctrine you cling to, if it is not making you better, if it is not making the world around you better, if it's not attempting to see God's kingdom come here on earth, if it is not seeking for justice to be done and peace to be restored, if it is doesn't seek to protect ALL the vulnerable among us (not just the one's we personally care about), if it doesn't endeavor to create a world where no one has to live in fear...
...then honestly, what is the point of it?
4.5 stars. When this book was released in 2011, I was told not to read it. My Christian circle was abuzz with how Rob Bell had gone off the deep end into a swimming pool full of heresy. I was busy, and not really interested in reading books on theology or spirituality at the time, so I didn't read it until now, more than 10 years after it's release.
Honestly, I'm not going to make definitive statements on the "soundness" of Bell's theology, on whether or not he is actually "heretical". Because what I see in the bulk of this book is a man posing questions, not drawing and stating conclusions. He is asking "What if?" and more importantly "Why does any of this matter?" Sometimes, it does matter, and we should examine the reasons. Sometimes, it doesn't.
We are awfully quick to cry heresy in Christian circles. We're just waiting for someone to say the wrong thing, the thing that doesn't line up exactly and perfectly with our chosen doctrine, and then we crucify them for it. Even if that wrong thing they say is simply a question. Forget that Christianity is over 2,000 years old, and the very apostles and prophets we so dearly love to laud wrestled and yelled about these same questions for years. We all are descendants of that first century church, but what is cut-and-dry in my modern tradition would be unthinkable in yours. Yet we are both so certain that we are right.
Here is the meat of the issue, and honestly what I think is the takeaway of this book: Whatever you believe, whichever doctrine you cling to, if it is not making you better, if it is not making the world around you better, if it's not attempting to see God's kingdom come here on earth, if it is not seeking for justice to be done and peace to be restored, if it is doesn't seek to protect ALL the vulnerable among us (not just the one's we personally care about), if it doesn't endeavor to create a world where no one has to live in fear...
...then honestly, what is the point of it?
Our God is a God of love.If it is not of love, it is not of God. Because of this, if a theology promotes a conditional love or a God of vengeance, we should question it. (Which really just leads us to more questions, like, if God is love why is so much if the violence in scripture allegedly God- sanctioned? And why would he punish us with eternal pain for being human, which he made us, if he loves us so much? And why would his grace end when earthly life ends, if God is bigger than all space and time as we understand it?)
Rob’s books are perfect for someone early into deconstruction. I should have read this 10 years ago. He discusses a lot of topics, in this book particularly about “Hell”, that I’ve already moved past in my journey. But Rob’s books are like dipping a toe into a freezing cold lake. You’re awake now, and you can either slowly immerse yourself, or take a running leap.
Rob’s books are perfect for someone early into deconstruction. I should have read this 10 years ago. He discusses a lot of topics, in this book particularly about “Hell”, that I’ve already moved past in my journey. But Rob’s books are like dipping a toe into a freezing cold lake. You’re awake now, and you can either slowly immerse yourself, or take a running leap.
I won't pretend I'm deeply theological and can argue any implications that Rob Bell's work seems to lead to, but this book speaks love, life, and goodness, to me and to many. This book speaks, breathes, believes Jesus. And right now, it's what I need.
Not a great book. The style annoyed me at times (nothing wrong with writing 5 sentences in a row, Mr. Bell. This is commonly known as a paragraph), and I felt like Bell left out important considerations about the character of God (namely, His perfect justness). BUT Love Wins is important because it asks questions that need to be asked and more specifically looks critically at modern interpretation of scriptures, particularly those dealing with heaven and hell. Furthermore, I really loved Bell's gushing, for lack of a better word, about the beauty of the cross and the gospel. Really nice. In short, I give Love Wins 4 stars not because the book is just that good but because the book is valuable.
I don't know if I have literally ever said, "Wow" when reading a book. After reading chapter 7 "The Good News is Better than that" that is what I did.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Love Wins is a fascinating book that will leave readers gasping with revelations. Whether or not your opinions regarding the afterlife will change after this book Love Wins provides a new perspective on an old topic that can be enlightening for many readers.
Just finished this book and I’m still processing. I took some notes while reading I thought were very important. I think Bell does an excellent job of breaking down the context and the original language of scripture in a way any person can read and understand and even relate to. Bells book on hell is the first book I’ve read from a POV where I was completely open. Hands open, heart open, eyes opened and it’s changing me. Hell was something I always had a picture of as a little girl that I would end up in because I was not perfect... I know that’s extreme but I felt that I had to give my life to Jesus every night before I went to bed with the intention and prayer to not go to hell. I try not to look at my childhood with bitterness or resentment but with the perspective that this is what a lot of people believe about God. It’s grieved me so much I decided I needed research the Bible myself on this. And I opened a can of worms for myself. My view on what hell is and isn’t will never be the same again and it’s in turn helped me to grow deeper with God. I am so thankful for my eyes to be opened to the truth finally! Looking forward to walking this new freedom and truth walk with Jesus!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
inspiring
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced