There are a few different points discussed and I think they're all excellently argued, supported by Scripture, that makeup Love Wins. He also notes in the preface that the thoughts conveyed in his book aren't necessarily original, that they are theological interpretations that have existed since the apostles and the early church fathers, therefore he argues that they are true orthodox interpretations of scripture.
+ First, he argues that heaven isn't somewhere else in the deep recesses of outer space like so many believe. Rather, heaven is here. He echoes N.T. Wright and theologians before him when he argues that heaven essentially occupies another reality from our own at the present, and it's right here. This is why Christ taught us the Lords prayer which contains the line "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven." There are implications behind this prayer that are far greater than American's are typically taught to understand.
+ Second, he argues that because Heaven's reality is here and that essentially Heaven and Earth are on a collision course with each other as the New Creation continues to emerge, that instead of sitting on our hands and awaiting for signs and wonders to occur, we have an active role to play in the present. He's saying the future is now. What Christ started at his resurrection is continuing on through today. What he started is the redemption, the restoration of the whole of creation, the entire cosmos. Not just human beings, not just a select few, but of everything from the sub-atomic to the cosmic scale. Much like my exhortations in blogs past, Bell contends that our roles in bringing forth the New Creation look like seeking to liberate and bring justice to the oppressed, feeding the hungry, and being generally loving, compassionate and generous.
+ Thirdly, and most controversially, he argues that God's love trumps all of our preconceived notions of what hell is and the doctrines that have been built around those notions. In a provocative video released prior to the book entering the market (and coincidentally in one of the opening chapters of the book) he tells a story about an art show they held at his church recently. He goes on to describe that one of the most compelling pieces of art work was a painting of Mahatma Gandhi. At some point during the art show, someone decided that it was their responsibility to inform people about Gandhi's present whereabouts by tacking to the painting a note that said:
Reality check: he's in hell.
In both the video and the book, Bell immediately challenges that thought. "Really, he is? We're sure about this." That in and of itself is an argument that's desperately lacking in American Christianity. The argument that we don't know who is, and who isn't in hell. We can debate until we're blue in the face but when we die I can guarantee that we're going to be surprised by some of the individuals that we're surrounded with.
So he continues down this line of thinking, utilizing parables such as the story from Luke 16 about the rich man and Lazarus.
The two main arguments he has in his challenge against the traditional concept of hell is that;
+ Hell, just like Heaven, can be all around us depending on whether or not we choose to support actions that align with the life of Christ. At the same time, those in the receiving end of those same actions are subjected to the same hell (e.g. victims of human trafficking, rape, financial schemes, etc.).
+ Those that pass away and end up in hell remain there because they continue to refuse God's invitation of love. In the instance of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was a man who perpetuated the status quo in his life, maintaining a social hierarchy where he believed Lazarus unequal and beneath him. As a result, he continuously ignored Lazarus' pleas for help. In death, Lazarus arrives at Abraham's side and the rich man is in hell, he begs Abraham to have Lazarus give him a drink of water and then to warn his family of what awaits them. Abraham denies both requests. Bell then notes that the great chasm described in the parable between where the rich man is and where Lazarus is, is the rich mans heart. That he refuses to repent (change his way of thinking) and even in death he views Lazarus as beneath him and desires for Lazarus to serve him.
So, those that die and end up in hell remain there out of their choosing. Bell states that "God gives is a generous God and we can have all the hell we want".
So Bell's presenting a very orthodox and historic view of life after death (or as Wright puts it: life, after life, after death). I find it extraordinarily compelling and exciting. The conversation has literally existed for thousands of years since the birth of the church and will continue on into the future until Christ returns and the dead are resurrected. The overall message is, that unlike the futuristic, dispensationalist interpretation of the resurrection, heaven and the future of creation; we have an active role to play in bringing God's Kingdom here to Earth as it already is in Heaven, and it's done through the multitude of ways that we implement God's love.
Finally, I've had a few discussions with various people that felt some measure of confusion surrounding Bell's latest book (though I maintain the confusion isn't actually from him or the book, but from the critics who's mission is to muddy messages such as this).
I downloaded Mars Hill's latest podcast from March 27th, and listened as before the message itself was underway, Rob "introduced" himself with the following:
Opening to March 27th Mars Hill podcast (transcript)
Rob: My name is Rob and I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I am a Christian. And I believe in Jesus and I believe Jesus is the way, and I believe in heaven and I believe in hell and I believe the Bible’s God’s Word, and I’m not a universalist because I believe that God’s love is so great God lets you decide. I believe in the communion of the saints, I believe the church of the fullness, I believe in the New Heaven and the New Earth. I believe in healing, I believe in miracles, I believe in salvation, I believe in the power of prayer that God is alive and working. I believe there has been a resurrection and there is a whole new creation bursting forth right here in the midst of this one, and I also believe it’s best to discuss books you’ve actually read.
(massive applause).
Rob: I can keep going, did you stop me?
Unknown man: Do you believe the Lions will win eight games next year?
Rob: I said... I’m a Christian, not a dreamer.
So I think that ends any confusion, and stifles any possible accusations of universalism and further criticisms of his book (at least until the critic in question has actually read it, I hope).
So having read this review, may you be compelled to take an active role in the new creation being brought forth right now. May you see that there is beauty in the world that is to be celebrated. May you see that your voice can be a voice for love, liberation, justice, compassion and generosity that reshapes this entire reality. And, as Bell concludes in his book, may you see that Love Wins.
Sounds like some pretty compelling content. I can't wait to read it! Thanks for explaining it in a way I can comprehend. :)
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