Rob Bell is dead wrong with his redefinition of “hell.”  He redefines hell in an unbiblical fashion.  Following his discussion of his universalism in Velvet Elvis, he writes,

Heaven is full of forgiven people.  Hell is full of forgiven people.  Heaven is full of people God loves, whom Jesus died for.  Hell is full of forgiven people God loves, whom Jesus died for.  The difference is how we choose to live, which story we choose to live in, which version of reality we trust.  Ours or God’s (146).

On the next page Bell defines hell as a “way of living out of sync with how God created us to live” (147).  He defines hell one more time by asking the question about what people mean why they use the word “hell”; he claims that people mean “a place, an event, a situation absent of how God desires things to be” (148).  In contrast, using Bell’s preferred translation – the TNIV, the word for hell is used thirteen times; in every occurrence, it refers to an eschatological place of judgment. “Hell” is nowhere defined in the Bible as Bell defines it.  He cites absolutely no Scripture in support of his position in Velvet Elvis.  In light of the ample scriptural evidence against his redefinition this present writer wonders why Bell has provided such a definition.

In Love Wins he offers some scriptural support for his position (for a full critique of his position please see Kevin DeYoung’s full critique of Bell’s new book).  Yet he fails to take seriously the claims of Jesus in the verses cited below and also Bell fails to cite any actual source to support his redefinition of hell.  Thus, he is making up his own “hell” in this new book.  To be certain, though he may want to suppose hell is different from an actual place as Jesus explains, Bell is only fooling himself.  The Bible is clear – a literal, eternal place of judgment awaits those who do not come to Jesus for salvation.  Our task is still to preach the gospel to sinners on their way to an actual hell.  To my remarks Bell would probably claim that he believes in literal hell (Love Wins, Kindle edition).  Yet, when he writes “literal” he wants his readers to keep in mind Bell’s redefinition of hell.  To that I would simply examine the Scriptures below and also what is recorded in Revelation in order to reveal his errors.  Perhaps our readers could comment on this post as to how they would refute him if given the chance.

(1)Matt 5:22, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15,  23:33; Mark 9:43, 9:45, 9:47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4.  The TNIV was searched via biblegateway.com.

Have you ever wondered why Martin Luther and the rest of the Protestant Reformers made such a fuss over the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation? The Reformers certainly disagreed with the Catholics over a number of doctrinal and practical issues, but nothing was more important than their differing views regarding the doctrine of justification. This post stands as the second entry in this five-part series. Last time, I introduced the matter, explained what is at stake, and gave some context to the issue (see this post here). In this post, my goal is to define and articulate the Roman Catholic teaching on justification—righteousness infused through the sacraments. In upcoming posts, I intend to do the same with the Protestant doctrine of justification—imputed grace. I will, furthermore, argue that the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification is mistaken and that the Protestant view of justification is most faithful to Scripture. In doing so, I will also provide a critique of the Roman Catholic position and respond to Roman Catholic objections against the Protestant doctrine of justification. For now, let us turn our attention to the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification.

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“Jesus is a great prophet….I just have a problem with people calling him God.” Heard this one before? I have. In our increasingly post-modern, post-Christian, secular, all-inclusive, pluralistic society, expect to hear it a lot more. Out here on the west coast, it’s become imperative when sharing the gospel that you know how to address this objection to Christianity. The vast contradictions created in this belief system in which Jesus’ words and life don’t match-up must be addressed. This includes, but is not limited to, Jesus’ own claims of divinity. It’s profoundly important to realize that if Jesus isn’t God, it naturally follows that he actually isn’t a good prophet either. Throughout the Gospels Jesus preaches a message continually pointing towards the afterlife. Heavenly rewards were a prominent motivation. His own life, however, would be considered “unsuccessful” by the world’s standards. He practiced what he preached and the Gospels show where this led. [...]

The debates that led to the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century were not over minor details of theology. Of the debated issues, the doctrine of justification became the most divisive and controversial issue in the history of Christendom. R.C. Sproul is correct to point out that “both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Reformers understood that what was at stake in the controversy was nothing less than the Gospel itself.”[1] It was upon this conviction that Martin Luther, in his 1537 Schmalkaldic Articles, singled out the teaching of justification as “the article upon which the Church stands or falls.”[2] In similar fashion, John Calvin regarded justification sola fide as “the main hinge on which religion turns.”[3]

The Reformers of the Protestant Reformation were willing to face anathematization for their dissenting beliefs concerning justification.[4] Today, however, not everyone within Protestant circles are willing to take such a stand.[5] Some Evangelical leaders have referred to this doctrine as the “small print” of the Gospel, that it is “nothing more than a large misunderstanding,” and that the seemingly major issue of the sixteenth century is “no longer a matter of serious debate.”[6] In Evangelicals and Catholics Together, many scholars from both camps have agreed that there are “some differences within both the Evangelical and Catholic communities.” However, they have affirmed that, “All who truly believe in Jesus Christ are brothers and sisters in the Lord and must not allow their differences, however important, to undermine this great truth.”[7] [...]

Evangelism. Sharing your faith with others is an integral part of the Christian life. Throughout God’s word we see the call to proclaim the gospel message. However, fewer things insight more fear, unease, and procrastination than going to a public place and beginning conversation with a stranger about the greatest story in all history: Jesus Christ.

The paradox here lies in the fact that if anything is worth talking to anyone about, it’s the truth of humanity’s sinfulness, a desire for meaning and purpose and hope for eternal life. Jesus offers all of this. No one else comes even close. Furthermore, Christ indwells each Christian through the Holy Spirit. It is a vital part of who we are – it must be. The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control should emanate from within our very being. Jesus should be seen in our actions….but also in our words. [...]

We at TVN are so very thankful for Dr. Alvin Reid and his work in the area of student ministry, evangelism, and Christian leadership.  It is an absolutely humbling thing to interview him on The Veritas Network.  I hope you all enjoy reading this interview as much as I did, and that you are equipped and refreshed in your understanding and view of youth culture, as I was.

Dr. Alvin Read serves as Professor of Evangelism and Student Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he has been since 1995.  For the rest of his bio CLICK HERE.

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Greg: What approach do you take in teaching young people apologetics?  What do you teach?  How often do you teach on it?  Can we focus too much on teaching apologetics to the neglect of the Scripture?  And what is the proper balance?

Dr. Reid: I do not actually think of it as “teaching apologetics” although I certainly value the discipline. I have observed the church overly compartmentalize disciplines from one another (evangelism from discipleship from apologetics, etc). There is a place to separate, but I think American individualism has driven too many to think of themselves as “apologetics” focused, “evangelism” focused, etc. Francis Schaefer considered himself an evangelist, for instance.

I prefer focusing more on a gospel centered life, where the gospel, not apologetics or some other discipline is dominant. Out of that context, or worldview, I try to help students learn to defend their faith.  For instance, I am about to lead a “Hard Questions” series with our college pastor at the church where I serve as director of young pros. I will deal with the problem of evil and the uniqueness of Christianity two of the nights. In each case I will make the gospel the focus of the discussion and the remedy.

We can certainly focus too much on any discipline to the neglect of Scripture. In fact, in the book The Convergent Church I co-authored with Mark Liederbach, we note where evidential apologetics, while important, “over-reached” in its focus on answering questions to the neglect of a larger framework of a gospel-driven life. [...]

Teaching the Old Testament to Students:

An Interview with Jonathan Akin, Pastor and Baptist 21 Contributer

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Jon, let’s get right into questions that I know you are passionate about…

Greg: How would you suggest combating the moral driven, breakthrough driven, and mostly Christ-less Old Testament teachings that is rampant in student and college ministries across the country?

Jon: I think there are 3 ways to combat it. First, Pastors/Youth Leaders need to teach student-leaders the Christ-centered nature of the Bible. The Bible is crystal clear that the whole Bible, including the OT, is about Jesus and is gospel-centered (Luke 24:27-45; John 5:39-47; 2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Tim. 3:14-15; Luke 16:19-30; etc.). So, teach leaders that this is the way the Bible should be read and taught. Second, Pastors/Youth Leaders need to model for student-leaders and students week-in and week-out how to read the Bible this way in the way that you teach from the OT specifically. Finally, train your youth leaders in how to do this. [...]

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. [...]

Josh Hamilton’s story of alcohol and drug abuse and the gospel that saved him from it is an amazing and powerful testimony of the grace of God.  This video is well worth the 5 minutes it will take to watch!

Unbelievable!