by Rob
Bell
Finally, in
at number ten, the ever-controversial, "Love Wins." Honestly, I had
to laugh when I put this on my list, had it not been for the meteoric rise of
this book on the wave of criticism that preceded it, I'm quite sure I'd not
have read it this year. There were other books that would have likely garnered
my attention first. As you can see from the other books mentioned here, I don't
base my reading primarily on what's new.
After
reading it, I also believe had it not been for the haters, I doubt this book
would have created much of a stir at all.
First of all, comparing it to other things Rob Bell has written and
said, it's not dramatically new. In reading Velvet Elvis after this, I could see
clearly shades of where this came from. Furthermore, it's really short! Not to
judge a book by it's heft, but this is a very short book and the ideas that he
presented could benefit from greater depth. In fact, that is my main criticism
of the book. As a skilled and savvy communicator, I know Rob knew he was
treading very close to ground that would surely create a stir. In doing so with such little depth of explanation
he didn't do his position any favors. He also, perhaps, didn't give the topic
the respect it deserves. That's why it comes in at the bottom of my list.
So, why
does Love Wins make my list at all? Simply
this. I respect the place people like Rob Bell have in the church. In every branch of Christianity there are
those who seem all to anxious to sever the other branches from the tree, but
that is not God's design. HE is the vine, WE are the branches. He is also the
gardener and retains the right to do the pruning. Rob Bell is an important voice in a emerging
chorus from within the evangelical church that is bringing important issues to
light and helping push the church in directions it wouldn't otherwise go. They
are not always right, but neither is anyone else. I have complete faith in the
power of the Holy Spirit to sort out our little differences. Far too many people see the fact God does not
change to meaning the church shouldn't either.
But the church is God's people, who He made, and who DO change. It's
only natural then that as His Kingdom is restored in us and His ever-changing
creation, there's going to be a lot of change. I say bring it on!
No comments:
Post a Comment