Rob Bell's Comments at Seeds of Compassion *** Updated***

***Update***
We've added more video and more context to some of the videos so that you can get a more complete picture of what Bell said and the context in which he made those comments.

Rob Bell shared the stage today with "his holiness" the Dalai Lama during an InterSpiritual panel discussion at the Seeds of Compassion conference.

Bell's defenders claimed that he would be a voice for Christianity at this event. But, right out of the box Bell's comments accomplished nothing more than blend with the ooooie goooie non-sensical one world spirituality that was being promoted at this event.

Here was Bell's opening remarks. Pay close attention to Bell's spiritual platitudes. Notice that he merely says that love, forgiveness and compassion are a 'better way'. It sounds nice. It sounds spiritual. But without Christ these thoughts have no meaning. There is nothing distinctly Christian about what Bell says.

In the next video Rob Bell answers the question that a twelve year old boy asked. Here was his question...

"What can I do to not be so hard on myself when I make a mistake?"

If Bell were giving a Christian answer then he should have mentioned the forgiveness of sins won by Jesus Christ on the cross. Here was Rob Bell's answer...

In this third video pay close attention to how Bell allegorizes death and resurrection so that it can fit neatly and inoffensively into the generic one-world spirituality being promoted at this event.

This final video gives more context regarding the 'spirituality' that was being promoted at this event.

Please watch the entire event video so that you can see these comments in their full context. You will find that this event taught that all religions have the same essence and a one world spirituality AND Rob Bell, by his presence and lack of saying anything that was distinctly Christian and because he didn't even mention Jesus Christ and His crucifixion for the sins of the world (the gospel) appeared to be in agreement with the other speakers.

Comments

[Ingrid]

To ignore an opportunity like this to share Jesus Christ, even at the risk of getting thrown out of the place, is a denial of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that whoever denies Him before men, He will deny before the Father. Bell more than proved our point that his attendance at this "Interspiritual" event is only helping to bolster the new Christ-less spirituality on the ascendancy in the West.

[Jinkies]

As much as Rob Bell is wrong, he's certainly consistent. He wants to change the world.

CS Lewis dealt with the "life as a journey" in The Great Divorce (the part about the apostate clergy). He concluded that the search for truth is not a meaningful thing when the truth is standing before you. In like fashion I would say that the journey becomes irrelevant when you have reached your destination. And that a journey without a destination is simply wandering.

Is the fuzzy-haired woman that Episcopal-Muslim clergywoman? Seems like a prime collection for the InterSpiritual panel.

[Joe Mama]

I really want to be fair to Mr. Bell, but what he said does not line up with reality. His answer to the genocide in Darfur is to let yourself be oppressed and the world will become a better place. We are not talking only about oppression, but mass-murder.

A "spirituality" grounded in a loving God tells us that there is hope for the next life that we can be offering to those being slaughtered, and "spirituality" grounded in a just God demands that we seek justice on the earth through the means that God has ordained; but ultimately, God will see that justice is served.

Mr. Bell's answer is so shallow and groundless. And, as Ingrid clearly stated, the hope we have to offer, the love that motivates us, and the justice we seek is all found in the person of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, our efforts are in vain.

[David Richardson]

I'd like to see the rest of this discussion. Maybe Rob Bell did share Jesus Christ later on in the event. Then again, maybe he did not. If he did not do it at some point, then he sure blew one awesome opportunity.

I agree with Ingrid that we should never deny Jesus Christ.

Thanks for posting this. I knew nothing about it. (Maybe I've been living under a rock lately. Ha! Ha!)

[Chris Rosebrough]

David,

That is ALL that Rob had to say at this event. I recommend going back tomorrow, after they've posted the video on the Seeds of Compassion site so that you can hear everything that was said in context. Believe me, it is MUCH worse when you see these clips in context.

[Ken Silva]

With all due respect, let's not fall for this stuff anymore: "Maybe Rob Bell did share Jesus Christ later on in the event."

Enough real pastors have pointed out that Bell doesn't share Jesus Christ in his own ministry and he certainly isn't going to do so in front of the Dalai Lama.

[Dave Swanson]

The American Heritage dictionary defines a "journey" as "an act of traveling from one place to another." Right there in the middle of Rob's ridiculous analogy of "life is a journey not a destination" is that little problem of the destination. Traveling from one place to another.

As warm and fuzzy as that all sounds, and as hard as he tries not to say anything to offend anyone, Rob ends up sounding foolish. He says "we're taught it's about arriving, about having all the answers." He says in a journey all we're responsible for is "the next step." I guess that's true, but can you isolate one step in a journey from the one before it or the one after it? Can you know how far you've come unless you know where you started? Where is he going? There is an end goal of any true journey, and most people that like to use words that mean something have a destination in mind. Those who don't are LOST.

[tigger]

(Pardon if this comes through twice - Typepad doesn't seem to like my comments)

Bell further betrays himself by referring to the Dalai Lama as "his holiness." Excuse me - how can anyone who purports to be Christian call another sinful being (and one who doesn't even pretend to be Christian, at that) "his holiness"?

Bell panders to anyone and everyone except us knuckleheaded, Bible-thumping sola-Scriptura type Cretans.

[Rick Frueh]

Jesus is a stumbling block, or in the Greek, a scandalon (σκανδαλον). His claims are so outrageous, so divisive, so embarrassing, and so eternal that they are scandalous. And so we have men who claim to be building bridges, but they continually build bridges to...nowhere.

Why? Because the Lord Jesus is a scandalon and will make others uncomfortable. Jesus Himself said He was the I AM, the Greek for YHWH, and they took up stones to kill Him. Jesus claimed to be God in front of a Jewish conference, but His professing followers are embarrassed to speak that name before men. And the Lord Himself said "If you will not confess me before men, neither will I confess you before my Father".

It would be better to stand outside the building and speak His wonderful name, than to sit on a platform with idol worshipers and say nothing, which is what Mr. Bell actually said.

[Stephanie Tyndall]

What another waste for Christianity in America. I am about to write a whole piece on Rob's false teaching and where it is leading us. This just proves the dicernment to be right. He is just another false teacher and we shall no them by their fruits. In regards to if he shared Jesus later on in the event. It really wouldn't matter. Based on all that he just said and who he yokes himself with, I am better off not following the Jesus he mentions. It is a different Jesus, not the one Paul and John and others preached about.

[trey]

I'm sorry, where exactly did Rob Bell say anything that was not in line with the teachings of Jesus? I'm pretty sure that everyone on that stage and even in the audience had heard of Jesus and had at least some exposure to Christianity. What he was doing was displaying a side of Christianity that many of them had not seen; one of love, forgiveness, and understanding.

You rag on him for focusing on the journey and not getting caught up on the destination, but did not Jesus teach that we must trust in God and not be filled with worry for tomorrow? I believe that was the point that Rob was making as well.

Also, just because he did not name drop Jesus every other statement does not at all equate to him denying Christ. He was asked to participate in the discussion as a representative of CHRISTIANITY. His connection to Jesus was implied and understood by everyone there. It is sad that we sit here and create accusations against fellow Christians to satisfy our need too feel like we have a corner on the market of the Gospel. I wish that more people were willing to be like Christ and lovingly engage people where they are with the freedom of forgiveness and power of the resurrection instead of standing at a distance and pointing fingers at everyone else.

[REB]

Trey says:
***I wish that more people were willing to be like Christ and lovingly engage people where they are with the freedom of forgiveness and power of the resurrection instead of standing at a distance and pointing fingers at everyone else.***

Try reading beyond John 3:16 sometime, dude. You'll find out that Jesus didn't mind telling people that they are evil and condemed without faith in Him.

Jesus didn't mind pointing a finger.

<<<<<< >>>>>>
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (Joh 3:16-19)

[Brian]

With all due respect Trey, I do not know you. We will not likely have opportunity to have a conversation over coffee for the journey. But what did you miss about Rob Bell referring to the Dalai Lama as "His Holiness" [second video and it is as clear as can be!]? The Dalai Lama is the only one the Seeds of Compassion publicity referred to as "His Holiness." Compare Paul's Areopagus Address (the so-called Mar Hills address in Athens--Acts 17) to what Rob Bell shared. The apostle confronted the false beliefs of his hearers while Bell pandered vague ideas of spirituality of the panel and audience. Would Paul have referred to the Dalai Lama as His Holiness? I do not what you mean by someone claiming to have "a corner on the market of the gospel," but the gospel cannot be stretched around to what we or others would have like it to be. Likely very few present in that Seattle audience today would have had an understanding of the gospel of God and likely left with the same inadequate understanding. What a shame!

[Paul Latour]

Trey:

What Rob Bell did say could be found in line with any pseudo-christian, spiritualistic and secular self help book or program available on the planet. And so, WITHOUT CHRIST!

Anybody on that panel, including his unholiness Dalai Lama, could have offered the same kind of worldly wisdom. Frankly, I'm surprised Oprah wasn't up there with the rest of them.

If Bell was was a true representative of true Christianity, the gospel would have found it's way from his heart and out of his mouth offering wisdom from a biblical perspective with glory going to whom it belongs, God.

Instead, to the pleasure of the panel and audience, Bell delivered his meanderings from a worldly mind and a smooth talking tongue, minus the offense found in the name of Jesus Christ.

"...they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 )

[DSz]

This whole thing strikes me as weird. The folks at that conference had no interest in hearing about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection as a propitiation of the wrath of God toward rebellious sinners. What they wanted to hear was, 'if you do this, the world will be a better place'. And what were they given by the person representing the Church of Jesus Christ? A Christless Christianity! I'm sorry, was Mr. Bell just doing some PR work for the nasty claims of the Gospel. Seriously, If my pastor went to something like this as a representative of Christ's Church and said the things Mr Bell said on these clips, I would be ashamed. Not of the Gospel but of him.

Some will say, 'Well, that's why your pastor wasn't invited.' To them I would ask, 'They why was Mr. Bell invited? Did they know what they would get?'

[Drew]

Rob Bell a false teacher/heretic warned against in the Holy Scriptures. The only way I would be surprised by his words were if he spoke truth.

[Dave C]

Um, i think someone swapped a video here. you click on the first one and it shows a toddler throwing a tantrum. some emergent schinanigans going on here?

[Lane Chaplin]

Providentially, I listened to a sermon today by Mark Kielar about "blessed are the peace makers; not the peace keepers." This post with Bell shows the latter extreme. It sickens me that this man runs around with the label "Christian". Here's the sermon for anyone interested.

[Jude]

If you are going into a "Interspiritual" conference (for only God knows why), the one thing you probably do not want to do is make a lot of assumptions in your answers. Why? Because these people have their own definition, and in order for them to understand where you are coming from you should spell out every little thing...On and one more thing, just because you have a lot of "religious leaders" (and I use that lightly) that are supposed to represent their faith, that doesn't mean they understand other people's faith and so you should never assume that someone knows about Jesus Christ. They might have heard His name, but you don't know what they have been taught about Him.

One more thing, whoever this guy is, when I hear his answers, Christianity does not come to mind actually, based on his answer, I would think he is some sort of Psychologist.

[Mary Anne]

I've got to back up Trey's thoughts here. While I agree, Rob Bell may have missed some opportunities and probably could have said some things more perfectly, I appreciate the fact that he was trying to say things in a way that non-Christians could hear. Too often we Christians are guilty of being so strident and Bible-quoting in our beliefs that non-Christians in these times DO tune us out and miss the very message we are trying to get across. I think an effort to speak the truth in love nowadays might include using verbage that is more inclusive. I am NOT recommending changing the gospel itself. I am NOT suggesting that the Bible is no longer relevant or is not inerrant and God-breathed. I am just suggesting that we Christians might need to consider having more of a missionary mindset towards our fellow Americans (who have been sold a bill of goods by the liberal media), and thus, seek to keep cultural doors open with our words. I wish we Christians would put more energy into how to make bridges to the lost rather than spend so much time fault finding with our brothers and sisters.

[Christy]

The true gospel is not a pretty exclusive message. Jesus said that we must believe in Him. REB posted John 3:16-18 earlier, so I won't post it again, but Jesus said clearly that he who doesn't believe is condemned. Faith in Christ alone lifts the condemnation. So the only people who are going to heaven are those who believe in Him, not just intellectual acknowledgement but placement of trust. Anyone who doesn't is lost. If we alter that message to one that is less exclusive, we're being disobedient to God and incredibly unloving to the person we claim to love.

[WhitemoonG]

Journey? Try floating around adrift with absolutely no stated idea as to the starting point, and possible goal/endpoint, "guided" by only the vaguest possible twaddle about "love" and "spirituality." Don't want to run the risk of actually believing in SOMETHING and being called a truth in box! er.

As for Jesus, as Bell in his "theology" (LACK of any theology would be more accurate!) states complete inability to believe any degree of divinity of Jesus Christ, let alone whether he was unique in being born of a Virgin via the Holy spirit or was indeed resurrected with ANY degree of confidence, if that is being a "Christian," than anybody anywhere who thinks vauge fuzzies about universal "love" and mystical discovery of the "god" in us, including Buddha, Solstice worshippers, and "Trekkies for World Peace," are all "Christians" too!

For a "pastor" like Rob Bell, who dilutes Christianity into vauge distinctive-free nothingness, that can mean or not mean virtually anything to anyone on our "journey,"

Don't waste your time with the lazy, naive indignation about not criticizing a "Christian brother!" If Bell is a "Christian brother," then ANYBODY whose ideas leave "Christian" as a completely meaningless, distinctive free term is a "Christian brother," (including Buddha, Dali golly, etc.) which is a complete nonsequiter.

Scripture teaches us to Study the TRUTHS therein diligently, and both Jesus and the Apostles warned against slick talking heresy, and instructed us to contend for the faith and shun disingenuous heretics.

Don't tell us that someone happily shredding and diluting Christianity into complete nothingness, and pouring it down the drain, is a "Christian brother."

As for Bell and his "journey" that endlessly leads anywhere and nowhere, just nonstop mental jello, pretty STUPID JOURNEY! Doesn't sound like the narrow Gate and way Jesus Christ described, not that what he says about that matters, mind you!(spoken sarcastically, of course!)

[WhitemoonG]

Journey? Try floating around adrift with absolutely no stated idea as to the starting point, and possible goal/endpoint, "guided" by only the vaguest possible twaddle about "love" and "spirituality." Don't want to run the risk of actually believing in SOMETHING and being called a truth in box! er.

As for Jesus, as Bell in his "theology" (LACK of any theology would be more accurate!) states complete inability to believe any degree of divinity of Jesus Christ, let alone whether he was unique in being born of a Virgin via the Holy spirit or was indeed resurrected with ANY degree of confidence, if that is being a "Christian," than anybody anywhere who thinks vauge fuzzies about universal "love" and mystical discovery of the "god" in us, including Buddha, Solstice worshippers, and "Trekkies for World Peace," are all "Christians" too!

For a "pastor" like Rob Bell, who dilutes Christianity into vauge distinctive-free nothingness, that can mean or not mean virtually anything to anyone on our "journey,"

Don't waste your time with the lazy, naive indignation about not criticizing a "Christian brother!" If Bell is a "Christian brother," then ANYBODY whose ideas leave "Christian" as a completely meaningless, distinctive free term is a "Christian brother," (including Buddha, Dali golly, etc.) which is a complete nonsequiter.

Scripture teaches us to Study the TRUTHS therein diligently, and both Jesus and the Apostles warned against slick talking heresy, and instructed us to contend for the faith and shun disingenuous heretics.

Don't tell us that someone happily shredding and diluting Christianity into complete nothingness, and pouring it down the drain, is a "Christian brother."

As for Bell and his "journey" that endlessly leads anywhere and nowhere, just nonstop mental jello, pretty STUPID JOURNEY! Doesn't sound like the narrow Gate and way Jesus Christ described, not that what he says about that matters, mind you!(spoken sarcastically, of course!)

[Rita M.]

ahhh what a waste Mr. Bell!!

Here's a little help for mr. Bell taking a conversation from the natural to the Spiritual...

"Life is a journey one with two paths one broad path that leads to destruction, those who haven't repented and put their faith in Christ are walking in this path. And another path that is narrow and leads to everlasting life, those who have repented and put their faith in Christ are walking in this path."

Ok what was up with the whole resurrection thing?? are you kidding me! he could've taken that opportunity to explain the problem of Sin and how it leads to evil deeds because we are awfully sinful and then he cold've explained how the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms the wicked heart to a heart of flesh that seeks only to please our Lord and Saviour and hates sin.

...
About people already knowing what he supposedly stands for, I live in a catholic nation if I assumed everybody here has heard the gospel I would never preach it. Instead I preach it even to those who claim to know it, like this one man who told me believed everything the Bible says and in Jesus and everything, when I preached the gospel to him he said "you know I've heard many people preach to me but you're the first one whose ever truly explained what one must do to be saved"..Never assume!!

[Margie Gary]

Excellent remarks, WhitemoonG!

I'd like to add that we all know that the reason Rob Bell was invited to this event is because he's in full agreement with these false teachers and religious leaders. Every time he or the others in these videos spoke, I could hear another Voice saying, "Thinking themselves wise, they became fools."

This is it, folks. You are looking at the future of Christianity in America. Thanks to men like Rob Bell, who compromise the Gospel for the sake of "culture" and the Global Community, we can have front row seats in the Enemy's new Reality show...One World! One God! One Religion! And as you watch, be sure an notice how small the Lord's little Flock really is!

Sorry to get carried away. Couldn't resist...not after watching Bell try to contain his false humility after each of his little pearls of wisdom was greeted with applause and knowing nods. And why is he accepted by these people? Because he's one of them!

[Eric M.]

Seriously, was anyone really surprised? It was basically what I expected from Mr. Bell. He was not representing Christian doctrine or anything traditional about what it really means to be and live as a Christian.

The only surprise for me was that he actually looked and and addressed the Dalai Lama as "his holiness" (i hate even typing it!) when he could have just called him the Dalai Lama. Troubling....

[jazzact13]

I had some hope that maybe Bell and Pagitt may show some backbone. I feared that the reason they were invited (why not Driscoll, for example, since the event was in his backyard; oh, he likely would have preached the true Gospel to them) was that they event's coordinators had determined they would 'play nice'.

[Skylar]

Wow, I can't believe that. Wow. Just wow.

[Susan Robbins]

I thought the moderator-lady was Gene Robinson until she spoke.
My bad.
Twins separated at birth perhaps. It happens.

[Mrs. Pilgrim]

Mary Anne, I'm going to jump in on this and answer you. Please don't take what I write to be meant harshly toward you.

You say, "While I agree, Rob Bell may have missed some opportunities and probably could have said some things more perfectly, I appreciate the fact that he was trying to say things in a way that non-Christians could hear." Mary Anne, there are two problems with what you say. One is that Mr. Bell is, as a pastor, supposed to be dedicated to the presentation of the WHOLE Truth, and is supposed to know it well enough to express it completely. If he cannot, even in prepared remarks, do so, then why is he a pastor?

The other problem with what you say is that the Gospel is not hearable by natural man. The natural man cannot grasp spiritual truths. That's why trying to water the message doesn't help in the end; he CAN'T understand the fullness of it, not without the Holy Spirit.

You also say: "I think an effort to speak the truth in love nowadays might include using verbage that is more inclusive. I am NOT recommending changing the gospel itself. I am NOT suggesting that the Bible is no longer relevant or is not inerrant and God-breathed." The problem with "inclusive language" is exactly what you describe as wrong; it is considered exclusivist to tell someone that he is, in fact, fundamentally mistaken in his worldview. If you mean simplifying it, there's no problem in that--but there's such a thing as "oversimplifying," and even misrepresenting, which is what Rob Bell and his crowd are doing.

You say: "I am just suggesting that we Christians might need to consider having more of a missionary mindset towards our fellow Americans (who have been sold a bill of goods by the liberal media), and thus, seek to keep cultural doors open with our words." I agree. We should be kind to those who haven't been given the blessed gift of grace that we have. On the other hand, there IS a time for harsh words. Greater discretion would be wise on the part of many of us--especially me--but we MUST NOT conceal from people the full extent of the dangers they face.

You finish with: "I wish we Christians would put more energy into how to make bridges to the lost rather than spend so much time fault finding with our brothers and sisters." Well, the first question I want to ask you is how you know that we don't? How do you know what any of us commenting here does with our time? And the other question I want to ask you is when you think it's appropriate to point out that people like Rob Bell are betraying the Lord they claim to serve, by shirking their duties to an entire crowd of lost and condemned people and not preaching the whole, complete, pure and uncontaminated Gospel?

Like I said, I'm not speaking in harshness, Mary Anne. I believe you mean every word you wrote in kindness and love. But I would like you to think about these things, please--especially my two last questions to you.

[Greg Weaver]

I am ever more astounded (I'm not sure why I should be) at the increasing presence of Christ-less Christianity. The practical belief that Jesus replaced the Law with Love and that we simply need to live with compassion and justice toward our fellow man. It's simply a salvation by works / intention that lines up with what everyone else on the panel believes.

I can't believe that anyone in this forum would not believe that compassion is what Christ expects of us when dealing with each other. That would be nonsense. That is the supreme ethic that was taught by Christ.

Here's the rub, though. We can't and don't fulfill that requirement of Love perfectly. Therefore, it does not and cannot save us from God's wrath. That's what's missing here from Rob Bell. We all agree on the ethic, but without the atoning work of Christ that we receive by God's grace through faith the result is the same whether we're as evil as Hitler or as apparently compassionate as the Dalai Lama and that is eternal punishment in hell.

I see this and it makes me sad because it's a huge group of people who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. If someone had clearly shared the gospel, maybe God would have regenerated some hearts and saved them from His wrath. No gospel. No faith. No hope.

[Vicki]

Oh my. This breaks my heart. We need to pray for Rob Bell, folks.

[Dr. Don]

Mary Anne wrote: "I've got to back up Trey's thoughts here. While I agree, Rob Bell may have missed some opportunities and probably could have said some things more perfectly, I appreciate the fact that he was trying to say things in a way that non-Christians could hear. Too often we Christians are guilty of being so strident and Bible-quoting in our beliefs that non-Christians in these times DO tune us out and miss the very message we are trying to get across."

Mary Anne, with all due respect, our message IS The Bible and our "beliefs" are at the very core of what we are as Christians. If we want to reach unbelievers, then it stands to reason that we do it in the same way that our "founding fathers" (ie: the early Christians) did it...by being totally and uncompromisingly devoted to Jesus and proclaiming His Truth to everyone who has ears to hear. It truly is not my job (or yours for that matter) to make the message inoffensive to the hearts and minds of unbelievers. Our job is to be faithful in clearly and boldly declaring the Truth about God in the midst of a "crooked and perverse generation".

Mary Anne also wrote: "I think an effort to speak the truth in love nowadays might include using verbage that is more inclusive. I am NOT recommending changing the gospel itself. I am NOT suggesting that the Bible is no longer relevant or is not inerrant and God-breathed. I am just suggesting that we Christians might need to consider having more of a missionary mindset towards our fellow Americans (who have been sold a bill of goods by the liberal media), and thus, seek to keep cultural doors open with our words. I wish we Christians would put more energy into how to make bridges to the lost rather than spend so much time fault finding with our brothers and sisters."

As a "geezer" in Christ, I have been a longtime financial supporter of world missions as well as having been active on the mission field myself. And I can tell you from my own experience, as well as the experience of countless other Christian missionaries, there is almost nothing to be gained by attempting to "soft pedal" the claims of Christ. Should I love my Buddhist neighbor? Absolutely. But am I truly showing love to him or her by allowing them to continue in the delusion that their life of devotion and works righteousness will somehow buy them an afterlife of bliss? No. Instead, it is my responsibility to be as clear as possible in pressing the claims of Christ upon their precious souls. They are LOST. In "God language" that means hopeless, condemned, damned. And God has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation, compelling them in Christ's name to be reconciled to God. It's a heavy responsibility and one to be taken with great gravity. And just what is my responsibility to my brother Rob Bell? "Rebuke, reprove, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Why? Because the time will come "when they will no longer endure sound doctrine." To borrow from Paul, have I become Rob's enemy because I tell him the Truth?

[chadwick]

none of us know the criteria for this event. they may have made some guidelines, where the speakers could not talk directly about their particular faith. or else it would just be everyone there trying to convert people. if that is the case, then people who hear him, will most likely check his message of Jesus out. which contrary to most of these posts, do contain the message of Jesus Christ. and they are raising up actual Christians, rather than materialistic Americans who look at Jesus as safety-insurance or His blessings as a bonus to their income.

everyone who is bashing him, what exactly are you doing to lead people to Christ? are you pastoring a church? are you helping the homeless? are you bringing justice to the oppressed? or are you just sitting around on the internet waiting on people to do things you don't agree with and jump all over them? we need to be serving and waiting upon the Lord, not our next chance to be opinionated.

[Chris Rosebrough]

Chadwick,

Rob Bell has been teaching universalism for some time now. This appearance with the Dalai Lama is an extension of his religious beliefs and just adds further proof that Bell is not a Christian brother but is instead a false teacher, wolf in sheep's clothing, and a heretic.

Follow the link that shows you the entire event video. You'll notice that other speakers had no problem talking about their religions, their religious texts and religious leaders like Buddha and Mohammed. Yet, Bell didn't mention Jesus or what the scriptures teach. Instead, his comments faded into the one world religious spirituality that was being promoted.

Here's a fact: Christ does not call Christians to 'make the world more compassionate and a better place'. Christ calls us to proclaim the Gospel message of Christ Crucified for Sinners. This message is exclusive and is not compatible with any other religion or spirituality.

Here's another fact: Every person who buys into the one world spirituality promoted at the Seeds of Compasion event will go to hell if they do not repent and believe the One True Gospel offered by the One True God.

[chad]

We live in a day where most "christians" come off as "clanging gongs." I beleive Bell knew the audience he would be speaking to, and he spoke accordingly. Paul did the same when in Athens. It seems most readers of the site think we need to be blunt objects for Christ in order to hammer away at their sin. We live in a society that takes very little stock in spoken words, but will listen when actions accompany them. Bell is trying to show a compassionate side to a world that doesn't believe Christianity is loving or compassionate. I do beleive there is a time for "harsh" words....but to many of us feel like we should be the bearer of those.

[Chris Rosebrough]

Chad,

Comparing Rob Bell's appearance at Seeds of Compassion to the Apostle Paul's meeting with the Areopagus is laughable. Let's compare what Paul said to what Bell said:

Here are the Apostle Paul's words.

Acts 17:22   So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, For we are indeed his offspring.’

Acts 17:29   Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Paul mocks their religion and their idols and calls them to repentance through the man God raised from the dead (Jesus).

I didn't hear Rob Bell even remotely say anything resembling this message. Maybe you could show us where he did that.

[Mrs. Pilgrim]

Chadwick's comment looks a great deal like one I've seen in the past...Maybe it's because the "whipped-cream worship" crowd keeps saying the same things over and over.

That point aside, I think some of what he says bears answering--and I won't correct his failure to use a shift key, so please have patience.

"none of us know the criteria for this event. they may have made some guidelines, where the speakers could not talk directly about their particular faith." Then I can't think of any reason why a pastor would be comfortable stepping up in front of so many lost, condemned souls and NOT preaching the Gospel. Wouldn't it just break YOUR heart to see all those hurting, dying people and not be allowed to do anything about it? (As an extension, what must that say about Mr. Bell's vaunted "passion" for all those poor souls?)

"or else it would just be everyone there trying to convert people." And what, pray, is wrong with THAT? That's precisely what THEY were doing; why not a Christian? What did they need more than the Gospel?

"if that is the case, then people who hear him, will most likely check his message of Jesus out." You've never met a diehard pagan in your life, have you?

Furthermore, what would have happened if an attendee had walked out and immediately been run over by a bus? Did they get a chance to hear "his message of Jesus"? Or is that an acceptable loss in your estimation? Sorry, but how is it compassionate to play dice with other people's souls?

"which contrary to most of these posts, do contain the message of Jesus Christ." Like his "trampoline" analogy? By all means, though, please point out a clear, unequivocal, and completely Scriptural presentation of the pure and unadulterated Gospel by Mr. Bell--which also includes death, sin, and Hell, just in case you weren't clear.

"and they are raising up actual Christians, rather than materialistic Americans who look at Jesus as safety-insurance or His blessings as a bonus to their income." Define "actual Christian."

"everyone who is bashing him, what exactly are you doing to lead people to Christ?" Here we go, the old "At least he's giving speeches and having concerts and parties, whereas all you slugs are just sitting around complaining," based on absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of anyone's personal lives.

"are you pastoring a church?" Some here are called to that, yes. Your point being?

"are you helping the homeless?" Some here are. Are you? Since we're on the topic, does your church gathering have a fund for widows and orphans? Do you send the widows in your family money all the time? (I Tim. 5:8 for the basis of this question.)

"are you bringing justice to the oppressed?" I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm an attorney, who often took cases at reduced rates or even pro bono, depending on the nobility of the cause and the ability of the client to pay. What have YOU done for the cause of justice?

"or are you just sitting around on the internet waiting on people to do things you don't agree with and jump all over them?" Unlike you, of course, who came to a site where people said things you didn't like about someone you DID like, and jumped all over them. But that's okay, because you're different, right?

"we need to be serving and waiting upon the Lord, not our next chance to be opinionated." And, pray tell, how many African AIDS orphans did you feed while you wrote your diatribe? Come now, we don't want to be a hypocrite, do we?

[Christy]

There may very well have been guidelines like Chadwick was talking about, preventing them from talking about the gospel. But then you would have to ask why any true believing pastor would want to be a part of something that demanded that he water down his true beliefs.

[Donnie]

As I always say, "sad, but not shocking." This is the Emergent "church" in its purest form.

If Bell was actually serious about saving souls, he would have said something. It's impossible to witness to everybody, but Bell is a pastor, at a supposedly religious (or, I guess, spiritual) event, and he said nothing about the salvation of sin through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. I believe he'll be held responsible for the souls lost because of his inaction. And I wonder if this is the sort of thing he preaches on a weekly basis at his church.

It's scary to me to think that pastors like Bell can be ordained with such a title these days. A disgrace to Christianity.

[Erica]

Ingrid my sister in Christ please practice what you preach. I visit your site on occasion and I fail to see Christ death and resurrection mentioned every time you open your mouth. That seems a little hypocritcal to me. In fact, you are on a radio program, do you share Christs death and ressurection every segment on air? If not, I would be careful. Playing the Holy Spirit is never good. I would also be careful in judging Rob's motives. You can share Christ without saying much. The way we love our neigbhor is sharing Christ. The way we love each other is Christ. If we simply share the story of the resurrection with no fruit in our own lives our words are worthless. Rob's answers were brillant! It makes the audience want more. It makes them ask the question "How do I get to a place in my own life that I can forgive others like Rob mentioned.
Ingrid I would love to know how this title "The pure Bride of Christ or a Harlot!" is loving your neighbor? How is it sending Grace or and Peace? Their is not love on your site. It is hate and anger. How is that showing God's love? I would challenge you to look at your own life and ask yourself if you see Jesus when you look in the mirror before I would worry about Rob.
Grace and Peace

[Mrs. Pilgrim]

Erica, let me ask you a simple question, and we can go from there:

Do you believe that a person can be saved without hearing the whole Gospel?

Your comment tends to suggest that you think so. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

As to Ingrid, if she doesn't mind me answering you, she speaks to an audience of Christians already made, not to an audience of unbelievers. Rob Bell, on the other hand, makes much of his "evangelism." Please pay attention next time you wish to offer criticism.

[Mud Puppy]

You guys make me laugh and cry at the same time.

[REB]

Hey, that's right. We're going to expect more of you Emergers to use your SHIFT key now that McLaren is pushing the Big Shift. Just make ir part of your praxis.

[Erica]

Mrs Pilgrim,
In order to answer your question you might first define the whole gospel and than I will gladly answer:-)
Secondly the bible has just as much to say about how to treat your brother and sister in Christ as it does pagans. If what you are saying is true than whey did she address a band of unbelievers in Michigan? I do pay close attention to the bible, Jesus life and Ingrid's teachings. The two do not resemble each other.

[Jeff]

Erica, Chadwick, and those who are defending Rob Bell: Please use discernment when choosing the teachers you listen to.

The Bible says, "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." (John 3:19-21, ESV).

Rob Bell never clearly states exactly what he believes, and he never clearly presents the good news about Jesus. He hides in the dark shadows of his own vague statements so that his real beliefs are never exposed.

You don't have to dig far though to see where he is leading you. For example, look at the footnotes in Bell's Velvet Elvis. In two footnotes, Bell cites (approvingly) Marcus Borg, a self-described mystic who denies that Jesus' death has any atoning power, and says the Bible is "myth." In another footnote, Bell says we should take three months out of our life and read a book by Ken Wilber (A Brief History of Everything). When I first (naively) read Velvet Elvis, I decided to check out Wilber's book, so I found one of his websites. It turns out that Wilber is a New Age thinker with Buddhist tendencies and no real belief in Christ. His site is vile. It contains "art" of completely naked women embracing demons, with captions such as "Get Naked on YouTube." And Bell gushingly recommends him. In fact, Bell's footnote says that reading Wilber provides "a mind-blowing introduction to emergence theory."

I'm not sitting around waiting for people to criticize. I wasn't even planning on posting here until I read your comments. When I read them, it almost sounded to me like you were condemning John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, and John. They all exercised discernment, sometimes harshly. The issues being discussed are very serious...they are salvation issues. Certainly we should not get in quarrels about minor issues, but then these are not minor.

[Klompa]

"Rob's answers were brillant! It makes the audience want more. It makes them ask the question "How do I get to a place in my own life that I can forgive others like Rob mentioned."

Apparently all you need is a Dad who believes in being nice and the idea of ambiguously journeying. Hardly what I'd call brilliant. They can find more of this stuff on Oprah they don't have to check out Mars Hill.

Although, people are always looking for more of man's wisdom so they can ignore God's- so you may have something of a point.

[Mud Puppy]

Ironically I'm listening to a Mars Hill podcast right now and Mr. Bell uses the name Jesus and the word Resurrection a lot in a recent message.

March 23 — Boasting Will Abound
http://www.marshill.org/teaching/

(While you're in there, I recommend everybody checking out Shane Claibornes talk as well. It can be found at the very bottom of that page.)

[tigger]

Paying close attention to Scripture and the ramblings of Rob Bell would lead to the conclusion that the two do not resemble each other. When Jesus inaugurated His earthly ministry, the first word out of His mouth was "REPENT!" Bell, on the other hand, doesn't even seem to know that that word exists. Rob Bell is a pied piper leading his followers down the broad path to eternal destruction. What passes for "brilliant answers" and deep thoughts are nothing more than hackneyed responses and rehashed liberal religiosity.

[Logan Paschke]

Wow. I really can't believe that anyone would defend Bell on what he did here. But, people still don't understand that he is without clothes.

Anyone who thinks we're being too harsh on him needs to realize something very, very important.

It's not just WHAT he said that counts, but what he DIDN'T say that counts. Listen, in my opinion, this resembled the TED conference Rick Warren was at. By not preaching on Christ as the truth, the life, and the way, these people are showing themselves not to be Christian.

to Chadwick: You always have this knee-jerk reaction to people calling someone a heretic, there's a reason we have had church councils. There's a reason my parents stopped going to the Catholic church when they got saved. Doctrine is crucial, your arguments are always the same, you basically defend him and attack us for not working hard enough.

When someone is "waxing eloquence" such as Bell here, of course, people are going to flock to him. Orators still get paid well enough. But I'd really love to see how many people would go to his church, donate to his aids program in Africa, etc, if he started speaking like Paul only Christ and Him crucified.

to Mrs. Pilgrim: I'm glad you're here, (in love of course) you wield a good rod of correction. :)