How My Grandpop Helps Us Understand Rob Bell’s Position

Rob Bell

Is Rob Bell an universalist? I would have to wholeheartedly say, “No, he’s not an universalist.” But let me breakdown what I hear Rob Bell saying:

(a) God loves everyone

(b) Since God loves everyone, he will not encroach on human free will

(c) Since God loves everyone and will not encroach on human free will, if a human resists God in this life (i.e., chooses “hell” in this life), he or she will receive hell in the next. If a human accepts God and embodies compassion and godly attributes in this life (i.e., chooses “heaven” in this life), he or she will receive heaven in the next:

Love demands freedom. It always has, and it always will. We are free to resist, reject, and rebel against God’s ways for us. We can have all the hell we want (p. 59)

(d) After death, God gives people chances to be redeemed (cf. p. 55).

(e) [*spoiler alert*] In the end, “love wins” because God loves us so much to give us what we want (shown by our actions)–if hell, then hell; if heaven, then heaven:

If we want hell, if we want heaven, they are ours. That’s how love works. It can’t be forced, manipulated, or coerced. It always leaves room for the other to decide. God says yes, we can have what we want, because love wins (p. 61).

(f) Therefore, God does not save everyone but only those who desire God.

From the above, we can see Rob Bell is not an universalist. He clearly lays out that some people will go to hell because they chose hell, and some will go to heaven because they chose heaven.

Who won’t be happy with this?

1. The Neo-Reformed Folks — The neo-Reformed aren’t a very happy bunch to begin with. So, obviously, they aren’t going to be happy here. The “in” crowd is not clear enough. It’s not distinct enough. It’s not Calvinist enough. Rob Bell says God’s grace can be resisted? How dare he!
2. Those Who Deny Free Will — obviously, a huge part of the argument hinges on human choice. Thus, if you don’t believe human choice exists, you won’t be happy with this argument.
3. The How-Good-Is-Good-Enough People — there are those who would say, “Well, how do we know if we are good enough to “want” God? How do we know we desire God enough for God to give us heaven? Once again, it’s not clear enough. We want clarity!

On one end, I understand these arguments. #1 and #3 want clarity. We need to know who’s “in” and “out.” We say to ourselves, “We can’t have Gandhi in heaven because, if he is, our theology breaks down. And I’m no Gandhi. How can I ever be as good as him?” I understand this argument. We desire clarity. But the fact of the matter is, the desire for clarity is over-emphasized in evangelicalism.

My Grandpop used to say,

The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know.

Now, he’s not the first to say this, but he taught me this. The more I uncover in Scripture, the more I realize there is mystery. The more holes I fill, the more I realize there are open holes–large gaping ones, staring at me. The more “clear” things become for me, the more I realize things aren’t so clear.

Why do we desire clarity? Is it really important? Where does the Bible say things have to be  or are “clear”?

Think about the messages we send to our people. We make everything relevant so people can understand. We make our teaching relevant. We make our Bible translations relevant. Why? So, people can have “clarity.” Is clarity a biblical ideal?

I’m not sure.

Do I think clarity is wrong? No. Do I think we shouldn’t help people understand? Yes, please do help them. But this constant desire for clarity is an obstacle to the faith. We simply just don’t know (not some things) a lot of things.

So, is it clear who will be in heaven and who will not? No, it’s not 100%, crystal clear, and Bell’s right to point it out. I’ve heard people tell me Mother Teresa is not in heaven. Really? I’ve heard people conclude Billy Graham won’t be there. Really? Is it really clear? Hence why Rob Bell opens his book with that story about the clarity (or lack thereof) of Gandhi’s eternal destiny.

Am I saying we don’t have any idea? No, I think there are indicators in Scripture, but I am more concerned as to why we want everything to be so clear. It’s just not as easy as we’d like it to be. It’s not as simple as “Suzy’s in, and Timmy’s out.” It’s not that simple (mainly because God knows our hearts, but that’s another topic for another day)

The eternal destiny of all humans in not clear-cut for Rob Bell. But, perhaps Christianity shouldn’t always be so clear. Why not leave room for mystery? Mystery makes people fell uncomfortable. But ignorance is bliss. So, I would encourage you to seek understanding, but, as my Grandpop used to say, “The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know.”

So, why do we desire clarity?