1. Rob Bell is not a Universalist.
This has been the primary accusation, the mounted defense against the perceived attack on Evangelicalism as we know it. However, I find that this claim, this misunderstanding should offend both Universalists and non alike. It misunderstands the idea entirely. Universalism proposes that truth is far more relative than one philosophy or religion could hope to contain and thus espouses doctrines of acceptance and universality. In particular regards to the subject of this book, it advocates universal salvation, an "all roads lead to the same destination" kind of mentality.
This is not Bell's claim.
First, Bell believes (in my opinion, of course) that the ethos of Christianity, the gospel, is unequivocally and entirely true. He believes it is the Truth. He states this throughout numerous podcasts, videos, and books including this one. He believes in one God, one Spirit, and one atoning, necessary sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. This, he argues, is the truth, the love story that God woos hearts with, the redemptive narrative that many reject.
Secondly, he believes that this Truth can be and has been rejected by thousands. By vehicle of sin, the human heart stands against God's grace. There are those that refuse God entirely and those who accept Him, despite their sin. These truths are echoed throughout the Love Wins book and appear prominently in the chapters on Heaven and Hell.
Thus, Rob Bell is far from being a Universalist as he supports one, singular, necessary Truth and one Way towards accessing that Truth. He believes in one God, the author and finisher of this Truth.
2. Rob Bell is not anti-divine wrath and judgement in his promotion of God's love.
Just because human doctrines interpreted from Scripture have structured the exact parameters, some of which Bell questions, does not mean Rob Bell is ignorant and hateful of God's justice.
First, Bell believes in Hell. He states that quite clearly. Certainly, it's a different Hell than many have espoused over the ages, although there have been those who have said similar things. However, he believes in divine retribution, a wrath that requires the cross and a wrath that punishes sin.
Second, Bell believes in sin. Humans have dishonored and rejected God's law and, thus they sin. This sin is punished now and in the future. Hell exists on earth and in the after-life and those who refuse God's gospel here on earth will experience divine punishment in the forms described in Scripture. Bell goes into some great detail on this in the Hell chapter and a few of the following ones.
Bell certainly champions God's love and God's sovereignty in "getting what he wants," namely human reconciliation to himself. BUT, he also believes in and propounds God's wrath, God's anger, and God's punishment.
It really troubles me that these two points among others have been mistreated in dealing with Bell's book. His views are different and they deserve to be discussed. Many are perfectly justified in disagreeing with him. But, please, show a little intellectual honesty and careful, spirit-filled integrity in this discussion. It'd be one thing if these criticisms were just coming from YouTube vloggers or the obligatory angry pastor...but for them to be coming from places like Southern Seminary, Piper and others who have such a strong influence on secular and Christian culture, is unfortunate.
That being said, I'd love to discuss these ideas more with anyone willing to respond. I feel strongly, thus the strong language, but I want to learn more about all this and come to a more informed and, ultimately, Godly perspective on all these events.
