Why John Piper owes Rob Bell an apology

Before we get into the skin and bones of this I want to make a few items perfectly clear. I have consumed much knowledge from John Piper; read books, sermons and watched videos. I have equally consumed as much from Rob Bell. And it is precisely due to this reason that I feel most compelled to write this Hub. You see, I know that at the end of it all, that these men, these "teachers" are two peas from the same pod. In their respective hearts' beat the heart of God. They are both trying to help leads others to the same end point. They are both messengers of the Good News! Do they have same philosophy in trying to deliver this message? Of course not. But that doesn't mean that there not over all sharing the same message. I thoroughly enjoy each of their particular teaching styles and to be honest with you I have learned a considerable amount from them both. Do I agree 100% with either of these men? No. Not at all. And that's ok, because truly these are finite men trying to teach infinite wisdom. They are doing the best they can; neither one of them is perfect. I believe that John's heart is in the right place as he publicly tries to disway people from hearing or accepting the teaching of a person who he believes is misleading people. But the fact of how he is going about it and in the way and to the extent he has publicly past judgment on Rob, is well, a poor choice.

Like I previously mentioned I know that John Piper is a good man with good intentions. Technically I believe that his doctrine is biblically sound, but, and it's an important but, I believe that actions show his lack of do diligence in trying to understand what it is exactly that Rob is trying to accomplish here; at least that is before he so quickly vilifies him which creates the real underlying problem. And the problem comes to be that because of his actions which were played out for everyone in the whole world to see, displaying his rushed and unchristian like way of judgment, that many in the fold were torn and evenmore of those who find themselves on the outside were pushed even farther away by this childish display. Please try to understand what I am attempting to say here; and that is John did not attempt to understand or bother to do any in-depth research of Rob's work; but he actions conveyed as sense of rush to judgment on Rob's new book have never even read it but even more important his judgment on Rob as a child of God.

Case in point, John Piper's tweet which came out long before the release of Rob's book LOVE WINS, "Farewell Rob Bell", which was accompanied by a link to an article which comes up just short of accusing Rob Bell of being a Universalist. The author of the article even actually admits in the article itself that he hadn't yet read the book, but still comes to the conclusion based upon a single sample of one writing of a particular person that they have the right to past judgment on them and label their whole existence? By endorsing and spreading this article in the manner that he did, John further propagated this mentality on a Christian brother. And that is exactly where my problem lies.

Furthermore, because of his actions, many other believers also began to past judgment on Rob as a believer and as a Pastor; all without ever reading, listening or watching a single teaching of his. I don't care who you are; a seeker, a believer, a devout follower or even the Pope; these are dangerous waters to be treading. And John, regardless of his personal feelings on Rob and his teachings, should have kept this in-mind while publicly addressing this issue.

I know that it goes without saying that we as believers are responsible for our own beliefs, that we need to make up our on minds on these type of issues and that we shouldn't just believe something because our Pastor does. But the problem with that mentality is that it's ignoring the most important detail; that we are human. And as humans we have a impulsive tendency to adopt the belief of our leaders. It's not an excuse, it's just a fact. And I am also WELL aware that you can and should hold these standards not only against John and what he did but Rob and what he wrote. And that is exactly what I plan on doing.

It has been sometime since the release of Rob's book, and I like so many others, have by now had a chance to read the book. In it are many, many pieces of information. There are reference to other writers, theologians, biblical characters, and scripture. Lots and lots of scripture. But what you won't find are many opinions. After reading this book, I can clearly see, that this work was written with the same heart and intentions that most of Rob's other writings are founded in; and simply put, that mentality is, this book is written with the intentions of doing nothing more then getting people to think about this subject as individuals and to get the ball rolling on starting an open dialogue about it. That's it. He isn't trying to change everyones' mind with new teachings (in fact you'll find that there are very few if any NEW ideas in this book), he isn't trying to lead everyone astray, he isn't attempting to take down the church; and most importantly, he isn't a wolf in sheeps clothing.

This is a phrase that has been WILDLY used (and no wildly is not a typo) ever since the first mention of this book was unearthed. I know it goes without saying that undoubtably this mindset has been encouraged and strengthened by John's actions. This type of behavior is not good for anybody. It's not good for John, nor for Rob and it's especially not good for the church at large! I think this is something that many of us are losing sight of.

Before I wrap this Hub up I want to express something about Rob Bell. Rob is a kind hearted, Christ Centered kind of man. His church and weekly teachings reflect this (just listen to a podcast sometime), the Nooma video series he has been apart of for all these years show it (just watch one, there great), and most importantly he lives it out. First with his church family, then his own and even out into the world. I know that some of the things that Rob says will make you stop dead in your tracks, and that's precisely there indtended point. I am not saying you have to like everything about him, or his teachings or the church he helped to start, but don't denounce him and cast him out of the family just because you disagree with him on a particular topic. He hasn't done anything to deserve that. Furthermore, If it weren't for people like Rob in the church it wouldn't be what it is today. No kidding. Let me ask you this, do you like reading your bible? Chances are that if one man hadn't stood up to the church and question them and their authority, you wouldn't ever had one in your hand! By the way you can thank Martin Luther for that. But for Rob, unlike Martin, his stance didn't cost him his life.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate that I am not saying that John Piper has no right to adress his concerns with Rob Bell or Rob's writings, because he does. In fact, he has the same right (and responsibility) that anyone of us does, not only as people but as a family members of the body of Christ. As it says in Matthew 18:15-17

15) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16) But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.17) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

If John believes that what Rob is doing is indeed wrong, then, he needs to make every attempt to reach out to Rob and help him. Has he done this? Did he go privately and set up a meeting with him and share with him where and how he believes he went wrong OR did he just go and publicly denounce and ridicule him? We as Christians have enough of an image problem without this type of distraction and behavior. Especially from our leaders.

John's is a good man who has a good heart. Rob's a good man who has a good heart.

Whatever side of this issue you might find yourself on lets please keep this bit of scripture in mind before we speak about each other, as well as, use it as a filter when we reflect upon what each other says...

Luke 6:45

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Blessings,

Kevin