Review of Rob Bell's New Book

Rob Bell is releasing a new book this month that addresses the topic of heaven and hell. I have not read the book, but the reviews are disturbing to say the least. I wanted to put a review out there for those who are interested.

The quotes that are pulled from the book are not encouraging. The issue is that many people today want to avoid hard doctrines like judgment and hell because they are not palatable to the modern/postmodern person. Ultimately, many popular pastors today are happy to talk about the love of God, but are reticent to talk about judgment and the wrath of God.

As you look at this article and the included link to Al Mohler's blog about hell, let me be clear about my view on sin, salvation, and hell. Al Mohler's Blog

All people are born with a sin nature. Amazingly, I did not have to teach my infant daughter to be defiant, it just comes naturally to her. Sin separates us from God because He is a Holy and Righteous God. He is so Holy, that any sin is an affront to Him and deserves punishment.
Sin is so pervasive in man that he is incapable of saving himself. Man can never be good enough or resist sin so as to not offend God's holy nature. God, in His wisdom and mercy, knew that man is incapable of saving himself. Jesus, part of the Triune God, came in flesh and lived a sinless life on earth and willingly died on the Cross to be the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus rose to life after three days to signify the defeat of death and hell through his sacrifice. Man must place his faith in the sacrificial, atoning death of Jesus on the Cross in order to be saved.
Hell is a real place that God will send all people who die without accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. The descriptions of hell are that it is eternal, painful, and people are separated from God as punishment for their sins.

There are many passages in Scripture from which I derive the above perspective. The short version is read Romans 1, 3, 8 & 10. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-19. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Read Revelation 20-22.