Rob Bell’s new book, Love Wins, is stirring up some controversy in many Christian circles. I have not read it but if you want the inside scoop I recommend checking out the links below from some folks who have. For anyone who is not aware, Rob Bell takes a view of hell which is, frankly, heretical. He has a difficult time explaining why he isn’t a universalist (teaching that all people will be saved in the end). I’ll let you investigate and decide…

Tim Challis: Love Wins – A Review of Rob Bell’s New Book

Questions matter. They can help you to grow deeper in your knowledge of the truth and your love for God—especially when you’re dealing with the harder doctrines of the Christian faith. But questions can also be used to obscure the truth. They can be used to lead away just as easily as they can be used to lead toward. Ask Eve.Enter Rob Bell, a man who has spent much of the last seven years asking questions in his sometimes thought-provoking and often frustrating fashion. And when he’s done asking, no matter what answers he puts forward, it seems we’re only left with more questions…

Al Mohler: Mohler Leads Discussion of “Love Wins”

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Mark Galli: Rob Bell’s Bridge Too Far

After reading the book, it’s hard for me to believe that Bell doesn’t espouse universalism, but to be fair, he never formally affirms such belief. And in later passages, he does allude to hellish consequences for unbelief. In the end, he says he is raising the issue only to show that we “must leave plenty of room” for that possibility. (Christianity Today)

Kevin DeYoung: God Is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School Is Still True: A Review of “Love Wins”

Bell correctly notes (many times) that God is love. He also observes that Jesus is Jewish, the resurrection is important, and the phrase “personal relationship with God” is not in the Bible. He usually makes his argument by referencing Scripture. He is easy to read and obviously feels very deeply for those who have been wronged or seem to be on the outside looking in.

Unfortunately, beyond this, there are dozens of problems with Love Wins. The theology is heterodox. The history is inaccurate. The impact on souls is devastating. And the use of Scripture is indefensible. Worst of all, Love Wins demeans the cross and misrepresents God’s character….

For the 20 page PDF

Michael Foust: Rob Bell book ‘Love Wins’ stirs controversy, denies core Christian beliefs

Bell’s views are nothing new and, in many ways, simply mirror liberal Protestantism. It is, though, extremely rare for a Christian leader with such a following among evangelicals to begin espousing views that contradict historical Christianity. The fact that he is such a gifted communicator makes his beliefs even more dangerous, his critics say. (Baptist Press)

Ryan Hamm: Review: Love Wins, by Rob Bell

Love Wins is a difficult book to review. Not because it’s hard to read, or hard to understand or even takes a long time to read. It’s difficult to consider because how you respond to the book will likely be almost entirely dependent on what your experience with the Christian faith has been.

Michael Krahn: The McLaren Moment: What John Piper meant by “Farewell Rob Bell.”

Some may see the release of Love Wins and its surrounding controversy as Rob Bell’s brass ring moment, when he crosses over from “rock star in the church world” to an even more popular rock star of mainstream spirituality.

Instead, Love Wins may very well be Rob Bell’s “Dear John” (no Piper pun intended) letter to Evangelicalism. Here’s why I think that…