may0ren's review against another edition

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challenging reflective fast-paced

3.5

aediger2's review against another edition

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3.0

First of all, the layout and voice of the book is unique. It threw me off for a while when a sentence would be split up into multiple lines. Some may enjoy his style of writing, but I was personally not a fan. I also had a hard time focusing and staying engaged during many parts. I cannot say if this is a fault or the book or my own.

As far as they content of the text goes, based on what I had heard about the book, I expected there to be significantly more blatantly controversial statements in it. Whether or not I agree with everything in the book, I appreciate the message it has: God is consistent in love and goodness.

I also appreciated this quote: "they believe that they believe the right things and so they're 'saved' but it hasn't delivered the full life that it was supposed to, and so they're bitter. Deep down, they believe God had let them down." This book is a respite for those feeling an absence where they should be feeling the fullness of life that comes through Christ.

howatdk's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

mereperry's review

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Because of the controversy surrounding this book, I had to read it. I don’t feel like I can have an opinion about it unless I’ve done so. I love books which really make me think. And this one has done so. What do I think about it? There is so much good in it, and honestly- I’m just not sure yet.

allisonh59's review against another edition

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hopeful informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

kaylarage's review against another edition

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2.0

The only thing I could think when reading this book was "Eh." Nothing grabbed me. I've heard it all before. There were way too many questions and absolutely no answers. And now I ask, "Why do so many Christians adore Rob Bell?

brittishliterature's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.75

I had high expectations going into this one after reading and loving What Is the Bible? and while the book's first half seemed to run on a bit, the last half redeemed it for me.

I haven't known what to do with the idea of heaven and hell as my faith has grown, so I've mostly just set it aside. I mean maybe we just die and that's it, ya know? But I think after reading this book, I can see it in a new light and, in turn, see God in a new light - as a God who is loving and restoring all things.

And maybe it has just as much to do with the here and now as it does the there and then. I don't think I'll ever truly know what comes after this life - can any of us? - but I do think that the way I used to think about heaven and hell doesn't line up with what is found in the Bible and Jesus' teachings. 

I'll be pondering these things for a good while! Might even need to reread this one with a physical copy to annotate and sit with it some more.

readingwhilepotting's review against another edition

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hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

stepanana's review against another edition

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5.0

After all the controversy, I decided that I really needed to read this one. I think all of the reviews against Rob Bell and this book were pre-mature and many were out of fear.

Rob Bell presented a thought out argument to traditional Christian thought and theology. He does not dismiss hell, but rather challenges the reader to rethink how one thinks of heaven and hell. I think we often mold God into what we want to believe and what is comfortable, and this book offers an alternative.

God just might be bigger than our theology. and thank God for that.

dasrach's review

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Slipshod scholarship, failure to cite sources