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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
First let me say that I know I am a heretic for even reading this. I couldn't resist because Rob Bell has been a favorite since I read Velvet Elvis. This controversial book that contests the idea of hell as we know it, didn't change that.
His ideas made a lot of sense to me, and echoed some of my private thoughts. I don't know about all the theology though. There are two main reasons that I liked this book.
1. I love that it is controversial. It makes me believe that maybe Christians can question and disagree and doubt out loud. I crave that.
2. It is full of God's love. Bell believes that God's love extraordinarily real.
His ideas made a lot of sense to me, and echoed some of my private thoughts. I don't know about all the theology though. There are two main reasons that I liked this book.
1. I love that it is controversial. It makes me believe that maybe Christians can question and disagree and doubt out loud. I crave that.
2. It is full of God's love. Bell believes that God's love extraordinarily real.
Started this audio book on a whim. I've been feeling a little lost about my relationship with my spiritual side and how to implement it in my life. I've loved Rob's messages in the past, just about giving out love and that's all there is. This book followed that message and while I didn't always relate to every section, I did enjoy most of it and it was uplifting for the duration of the listen!
This was a wonderfully astute and poetic book. Rob Bell is a pastor so the message is very heavy in scripture and in the book of the bible, however he is the most forward thinking pastor I've ever seen...no wonder he caused such a ruckus with this book. Viewed primarily as a philosophical outlook (Think Marcus Aurelius) pastor Bell puts forth some amazing points; life is how you live it, that is what is meant by heaven and hell.
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a very religious person, but anyone who has ever been burned by religion must read this book. Take his religiousity as you may, but for god's sake listen to his message. Live with love and understanding because life can be hell if you make it that way...and life can be heaven as well...just know that to love something is to let it go and let it grow...and love wins.
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a very religious person, but anyone who has ever been burned by religion must read this book. Take his religiousity as you may, but for god's sake listen to his message. Live with love and understanding because life can be hell if you make it that way...and life can be heaven as well...just know that to love something is to let it go and let it grow...and love wins.
Update 3/3/2018:
I liked this book even more this time through, which was at least the 4th time I've read it (or listened to it, in this case.) I still enjoy listening to Rob Bell read the audiobook more than I enjoy reading his books. And I still want to dig deeper into the theological issues raised here.
Review from 2014:
I liked the audiobook more than the written version because I do not care for Bell's writing style, and listening to it felt more like him talking/teaching, because it was actually Rob Bell reading the audio-book.
The book leaves me wanting more, ready to dig deeper into some meatier theological books. But I think Bell would appreciate that reaction.
I liked this book even more this time through, which was at least the 4th time I've read it (or listened to it, in this case.) I still enjoy listening to Rob Bell read the audiobook more than I enjoy reading his books. And I still want to dig deeper into the theological issues raised here.
Review from 2014:
I liked the audiobook more than the written version because I do not care for Bell's writing style, and listening to it felt more like him talking/teaching, because it was actually Rob Bell reading the audio-book.
The book leaves me wanting more, ready to dig deeper into some meatier theological books. But I think Bell would appreciate that reaction.
I was quite disappointed with this book. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's been years since I've read any Christian writing, or if I don't understand non-fiction, or if I was just expecting something else. I enjoy the idea, and I understand that this book is meant to increase discussion, more than give answers, but it definitely leaves you unresolved.
To begin with, the book is not really in "book" formatting -- it's a series of sermons, with liberal and unconventional use of the line break to indicate pauses. There's little use of things like footnotes (possibly none, I don't recall any), or any type of context.
Secondly (and this is mostly just a pet peeve of mine) is that Rob Bell uses virtually no full verses when quoting the Bible. It's usually a few words, or maybe a sentence, but usually no complete verses, almost never with actual context. There was more than one spot that I was reading and had to stop because I don't think I'd ever heard it taught that way before.
Finally, the book (at least to me,) ended up not actually answering anything. If anything he just brought up the idea that most Christians have thought: "How can this be fair?" without actually giving any solid answers. It's great to bring forward discussions, but really, I'd love to be able to write a book that essentially says "I have no idea, I'm sure it'll get worked out." and have it become a best seller.
I'd have loved this book if Rob Bell had taken his sermon series, and fleshed out some of his research, and written it as an apologetic book, instead of what it is. If he came up with a theological position that you could agree with or leave as you believe I feel it would have been better than leaving you to muddle through an answer on your own.
To begin with, the book is not really in "book" formatting -- it's a series of sermons, with liberal and unconventional use of the line break to indicate pauses. There's little use of things like footnotes (possibly none, I don't recall any), or any type of context.
Secondly (and this is mostly just a pet peeve of mine) is that Rob Bell uses virtually no full verses when quoting the Bible. It's usually a few words, or maybe a sentence, but usually no complete verses, almost never with actual context. There was more than one spot that I was reading and had to stop because I don't think I'd ever heard it taught that way before.
Finally, the book (at least to me,) ended up not actually answering anything. If anything he just brought up the idea that most Christians have thought: "How can this be fair?" without actually giving any solid answers. It's great to bring forward discussions, but really, I'd love to be able to write a book that essentially says "I have no idea, I'm sure it'll get worked out." and have it become a best seller.
I'd have loved this book if Rob Bell had taken his sermon series, and fleshed out some of his research, and written it as an apologetic book, instead of what it is. If he came up with a theological position that you could agree with or leave as you believe I feel it would have been better than leaving you to muddle through an answer on your own.
The last two chapters were the best. I missed the footnotes that populate his other books, but appreciated the flavor of other theologians such as C.S. Lewis and N.T. Wright.
There are a lot of universalist ideas in this book. I don't know how much of it I am willing to agree with but I do appreciate the way that he opened my mind to start thinking about what the church has taught and what the Bible actually says. I need to remember to base my faith on the Bible and not what others might say. This book reminded me of that.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
A highly charged book that's arrived with huge controversy and "discussion", most of which has taken place without people actually reading the book. Is salvation for all, or are the vast majority of people damned to eternal torment?
I found Love Wins to be passionately advocating that God's love is bigger and more full of Grace than we give Him credit for, which to me is MORE of a reason to be joyful not less. The book is well-reasoned, backed up by both Scripture and logical reasoning, and important reading whether you are a Christian, struggling with aspects of the Christian message (such as the judgementalist attitude of some of its followers) or simply still seeking some answers.
There are 2 reasons I haven't given it 5 stars, both personal to me and do not reflect the quality of the book tbh. One is a question I have yet to resolve; the other is Rob Bell's style which is very conversational, almost designed to be heard rather than read. It didn't suit me particularly but I am sure it will engage deeply with others. And in no way detracts from the importance of his message.
Excellent book, hugely recommended.
I found Love Wins to be passionately advocating that God's love is bigger and more full of Grace than we give Him credit for, which to me is MORE of a reason to be joyful not less. The book is well-reasoned, backed up by both Scripture and logical reasoning, and important reading whether you are a Christian, struggling with aspects of the Christian message (such as the judgementalist attitude of some of its followers) or simply still seeking some answers.
There are 2 reasons I haven't given it 5 stars, both personal to me and do not reflect the quality of the book tbh. One is a question I have yet to resolve; the other is Rob Bell's style which is very conversational, almost designed to be heard rather than read. It didn't suit me particularly but I am sure it will engage deeply with others. And in no way detracts from the importance of his message.
Excellent book, hugely recommended.
I did not enjoy this book. 2 Stars because it’s more thought-provoking than simply a 1 Star read. I picked it up because it’s controversial so I’m not surprised that I disagreed with a lot of his thoughts. However, my main problem with it was that I didn’t feel like he had accurate basis for a good portion of his conclusions. I realize that the majority is not always correct and I’m glad that he’s challenging the norm, but he breaks so far off without enough evidence to back him as to be unbelievable. As the main question it left me asking: if everyone eventually gets to Heaven, why on earth should we even bother sharing the Gospel? I find the urgency with which Jesus speaks about the Kingdom coming near to be blatant enough to convince me that each person must choose on THIS side of heaven if they will follow Jesus.
Would recommend for someone who is grounded in theology and wants a controversial and thought-provoking read.
Would recommend for someone who is grounded in theology and wants a controversial and thought-provoking read.