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October 6, 2009
Tweeting the Gospel: Rob Bell Tries Again
This time, it's actually on Twitter, and it's less than 140 characters.
In an interview with Rob Bell earlier this year, CT senior managing editor Mark Galli asked the Mars Hill Bible Church pastor how he would present the gospel on Twitter. Bell replied:
I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big.
In his response, Bell provoked a fair bit of criticism in the blogosphere (as he did again last week when he told The Boston Globe, “I embrace the term evangelical, if by that we mean a belief that we together can actually work for change in the world, caring for the environment, extending to the poor generosity and kindness, a hopeful outlook. That’s a beautiful sort of thing.”)
But Galli pointed out that he was cheating anyway. His answer was a lot more than 140 characters. "You can't really tweet the gospel," Bell replied.
Well, last night, Bell gave it a second shot on his Twitter feed: "The gospel is the counterintuitive, joyous, exuberant news that Jesus has brought the unending, limitless, stunning love of God to even us."
At 117 characters, he even left enough to retweet.
Comments
No can RT w spaces and punctuation :(
Posted By: Jeff Cagwin | October 6, 2009 3:21 PM
What? Where are all the basement theologians? Rob Bell says something that you can't rip out of context, and is orthodox and all of a sudden it's all quiet on the western front....
Posted By: David Brush | October 6, 2009 5:05 PM
Seems like there MUST be much more threatening people to criticize and cut down than another believer walking the walk a little differently than perhaps you do. Isn't there?
Posted By: Sara Huizenga Lubbers | October 6, 2009 7:55 PM
I tweet the Gospel daily. The main part of tweeting the Gospel of Christ Jesus is to be patient and humble without striking back at those who strike at you.
John 15:17 - [Jesus said:] This I command you, that you love one another.
Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:13 - for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4)
Posted By: @GospelToday | October 6, 2009 11:36 PM
Bell's thought, evangelically orthodox or not, will change large sections Christianity in the USA.
Posted By: Sabio Lantz | October 7, 2009 8:21 PM
It's so sad that the simple gospel message, originally preached to poor fishermen and impoverished, marginalized people has become shrouded in twenty-first century nonsensical language. If God desired to openly and clearly communicate salvation in no other Name under heaven, why do some of us go to such great lengths to confuse and obsfucate this simple truth? As a former charter member of Mars Hill, I am greatly saddened in regard to how the church has drifted theologically and in regard to its leaders who have taken it such directions. What has taken place there is not inconsequential but will have far reaching ramifications for those who continue to remain influenced by its teachers and their teachings. Suffice it to say that "All that 'twitters' is NOT gold."
Posted By: GK | October 9, 2009 7:59 AM
No, Bell has managed to ignore and/or avoid any real mention of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ, the defining element of the gospel so clearly communicated ("twittered"?)by both Peter and Paul in those sermons recorded in the Acts.
Posted By: Bruce A. Sabados | October 17, 2009 6:38 PM
free submit.....www.ncilk.com
Posted By: san | November 25, 2009 2:01 AM
More Emergent Village idiot doubletalk and postmodern nonsense for the short attention spanned postmodern Gen Y'ers. Bob Dewaay has written an excellent refutation of Bell's psychobabble that he learned in part from Fuller Seminary, but it actually takes bonafide critical thinking skills using REASON rather than feeling to accept the refutation.
Posted By: Richard Lee | January 5, 2010 8:29 PM
My friends all say they wont become Christians because Christians are too hateful. I agree with them. All I have to do is read what Christians comment on ANYTHING with Rob Bell in the article. My generation may not have the exact same theology that our grandparents generation had, but I think in a few years my generation will be marked by peace and love in such a way that the generations before will be swept away and forgotten...and I think that terrifies some of you.
Devin Gardner, 20 yr old Christ lover
Posted By: Devin Gardner | August 8, 2010 8:23 PM
@Devin Gardner
I am sorry that you and your friend have experienced hateful Christians and that you feel that people are being unfair in regards to Rob Bells theology. Some CHristians may be overly attack oriented when it comes to Rob Bell but that should not excuse his (Bell's) poorly constructed theology which does more to confuse believers than actually help them. His theology is void of many of the absolute claims and beliefs that have been held since Christ's resurrection, namely sin has dominated the world and apart from Christ we are condemned. But because of Christ's perfect sacrifice we are brought into a right relationship with Christ, we have been reconciled to God through Christ. For Rob Bell the gospel and resurrection have more to do with man than God. This is obviously a man centered view of the gospel which lacks Biblical support. An honest look at Galatians or Romans provides a concise and accurate view of the gospel, of which Paul said was of FIRST IMPORTANCE. While I do not doubt Rob Bell's intentions his theology is obviously flawed. As he continually calls his theology a conversation I would recommend finding more accurate sources to converse with.
Posted By: BJ | January 15, 2011 2:16 PM
Rob Bell speaks as a prophet to this generation. The good news, men and women, and our understanding of things, is evolving. I think our loving Father is pleased. What upsets the boys on fat side, is there is something wrong with the american jesus, as well as the gospel that says nothing when in the name of jesus, we take up arms and kill 100,000 innocent men women and children. Take a look at the aggression on the arizona border, please don't tell us that they can't come in, when Father says they can. Quit whining about how all the medical funds are used on the unworthy illegals, when that is what we are supposed to be about. More than universalism ticking people off, is that God is calling us to take a look, take a look at stuff we don't want to look at. How much do we really need? As he tells the story of Jesus in context of the bigger picture, we can see how petty we can be with our agendas.
Posted By: Bill Habing | July 6, 2011 10:21 PM
ROB BELL?
Rob Bell knows exactly what he is writing and doing. If its good or bad Im not the one to say, but what I will say is, instead of basing your faith in some book written by an indvidual that calls himself a pastor. How many books have you read, or how many times have you read what is worth reading? The word of GOD is the answer. not the books of puny people but the word of the all powerfull god!!!
Posted By: Victor | July 25, 2011 9:50 AM
What is missing in Rob Bell's teaching is the fact that we have not benefited much from God's love until that love lives in our own hearts for others. It is good to be loved, but the purpose is that we love, not only those that love us, but also those who do not deserve it. Lu 6:32 (TCNT) If you love only those who love you, what thanks will be due to you? Why, even the outcast love those who love them!
But no one is loving who allows evil to go unrestrained.Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Until we comprehend both sides of God's character, we do not comprehend love!
Posted By: Cleason | July 26, 2011 10:14 PM
another professing christian that holds a national media presence is bringing a confusing message that he insists it means what he says he it means. maybe he's right. BUT we are not saved to bring discord to the lost or our own fellow christians. the only true message Jesus commanded us to carry is the one of redemption through his sacrifice on the cross. the hour is late and many are still in darkness and we bicker and bicker. i say GO out there on the streets and tell all you can what Jesus has done for you. and inform them he can do the same for them. that is the message of the day. keep your personal crap to yourselves and Preach Christ and him crucified. and we will win souls...which is the whole point!
Posted By: tom culbreth | September 25, 2011 1:38 AM