My last post was on how the Piper types could help the Bell types and initially I wanted to see what the Bell types could do for the Piper types but in honesty, I don’t really know how a to offer the opposite intelligently. Maybe you do, feel free to comment.
What I keep hearing from some is that Rob Bell is being “too provocative”, so here are some thoughts on that.
Let me up front here and mention for those who might not know me, I appreciate a lot of what Rob Bell says and does. I love the creative artistry, the brilliant wordsmithing, and the pastoral heart that extends way beyond Mars Hill. I’ve shown just about all the Nooma videos to our students, taken people to see him on his speaking tours, been handing out his beautiful book on suffering and hope Drops Like Stars, indeed, I’m an appreciator. It’s ok, in some sense, I like just about everybody, and in another, I have a problem/issue/concern with everyone too – I honestly think that’s normal and healthy.
I am also among the countless that appreciate Rob not taking the “safe route”. I appreciate the many like him that ask the tough questions that we have been/should be should be asking and wresting with. It tells the world that we are not afraid to question our beliefs but still trust Jesus. If there’s ever an issue that should be wrestled with, it’s the fate of every soul who ever lived.
Over the years, I’ve heard many complain on Rob being “too provocative”. That’s part of his gift-set. In addition to his creativity and speaking ability, he is able to communicate especially well to the “over-churched” and the intelligent “non-churched” and to do so, it would not serve him well to be a traditional type or a corporate type among other types. Given the scope of the Mars Hill ministry, his personal platform, he’s quite the exception.
But isn’t telling someone to not be “too provocative” similar to telling someone to not be “too beautiful”? Certainly I’ll be the first to say some beautiful people have objectified themselves for their own personal gain – people like Pamela Anderson and myself would be obvious examples. But being beautiful or being provocative is also in our nature and some people are more gifted with it. For me the trait is not a moral issue, it’s the how/what we do with it. Lastly, I think it’s easy to make the case that Jesus certainly was provocative.
All that said, I am very prepared to disagree with Rob’s thoughts in this book, future books and sermons, just like there were things about Velvet Elvis I wasn’t sure of. (Loved the book, but I remember thinking at some parts, if I was brilliant, I would have said it differently :). Like everyone, sometimes you hear things in a sermon that you not really sure of either (sometimes I listen to a recoding of mine and think the same!). But this is what I and so many others like about him – he doesn’t need me to agree with him. It’s in this sense, that people like Rob Bell are ideal for X’ers and Millennials, (even some Boomers) because they do not project themselves as controlling authoritarian figures who preach they have the only way to know/understand/love God. In a world of personality tests, gift assessments, talent evaluations, different approaches by different people sharing their message in different ways to different audiences makes a good deal of sense.
Perhaps my biggest concern for people like Rob Bell would be to not take advantage of his platform or to be “too provocative” for the wrong motives. Further, I think we all have seen what happens to evangelical egos when they are left unchecked. Turning into Gollum would be the same betrayal of any sexual or financial scandal. May he rely on the strength of the Lord to keep Christ-like in all his ways. We pray for you Rob Bell.
I am anxious to read Love Wins and I think this whole debate in some part, has been good for us a church. More on that another time. Also, my wife, a good friend are headed into New York to see Rob on Monday. Let me know if we can coordinate a ride or meet up (it’s general seating). Here’s the event page and if you can’t come, you can watch it online here.
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