Love Wins
A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived
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3.8 • 727 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
In Love Wins, bestselling author, international teacher, and speaker Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis, Drops Like Stars) addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—hell and the afterlife—arguing, would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever?
Rob Bell is an electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” with millions viewing his NOOMA videos.
With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial with a hopeful message—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bell, influential pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church and author of Velvet Elvis, aims to provide an introduction to some of the big questions of Jesus' life and message. Claiming that some versions of Jesus should be rejected, particularly those used to intimidate and inspire fear or hatred, Bell persuasively interprets the Bible as a message of love and redemption. He is clearly well-versed in the scriptures, and for support his arguments look to everything from the parable of the prodigal son to Revelation to the story of Moses, in addition to his own personal experiences as a pastor, many of which are the book's highlights. Bell's vision of Christianity is inclusive, as he argues against some traditional ideas--for instance, hell as eternal punishment reserved for non-Christians--in favor of a God whose love and forgiveness is all encompassing. His style is characteristically concise and oral, his tone passionate and unabashedly positive. The result is a book that, while not exploring its own ideas deeply, may be a friendly welcome to Christianity for seekers, since they don't have a dog in the fight over hell that this book has ignited among the professionally religious.
Customer Reviews
Pastor
This book was a quick read and very much in the style of Bell's other books. Having read Will Willimons "Who will be saved?" there are very similar themes that combine biblical scholarship with a readable format. My one complaint is that Bell doesn't delve deep enough into the historical aspects of the theology he uses to arrive at his conclusions. Maybe that's a strength for others that don't find Willimon or N.T. Wright to be readable.
As for the critics, nothing new!
Bad theology, not innocent questioning
Christians should make no mistake, this is a book that will attempt to persuade you of a very different gospel than what Christ proclaimed.
It's good writing that will certainly appeal to those bitter over Christianity's beliefs about hell, but it's not based on an ounce of biblical truth. Please note the absence of footnotes and verse numbers also. Be aware that this denial of hell has been rejected as heresy for millennia, and pray for the authors correction.
Good read
Bell does an excellent job at exploring the tension present in current theological positions re: hell. His questions and thoughts are similar to those posed by B Graham & CS Lewis before him.
Caution: If questioning and exploring your own beliefs is too scary or difficult, then listen to the negative reviews and re-read the Left Behind series again.