• Rob Bell, Founding Pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, has written a new book titled Love Wins. The promotional materials—a video clip and the publisher’s summary—could lead one to believe that Rob is teaching a doctrine called universalism. Simply put—everyone goes to heaven.
• John Piper, Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Bible Church, makes a concise yet direct statement through Twitter about what he knows of Bell’s latest work. The tweet said simply, “Farewell Rob Bell.”
• CNN and other popular media outlets ran with the “story” and made the controversy even larger.
• A wave of tweets and Facebook posts ensued. In amazing numbers!
• Many Christians took sides. Either (1) Bell has moved away from orthodoxy, or (2) Piper is mean and judgmental.
I’m not going to write about who’s right or who’s wrong. I’m not going to attempt to sway you to a particular side. What I am going to do is connect with the reality of why such a thing happens within the Christian community.
Two words: Doctrine matters!
Doctrinal Christian beliefs are orthodox for a reason—faithful Christ-followers and brilliant scholars from generation to generation have studied the Word of God and found them to be true. They’ve withstood multiple tests throughout many turbulent years of church history. And they remain.
Doctrine matters!
Consider the words of the Apostle Paul when addressing the issues surrounding church leadership (Overseer/Elder) in Titus 1.
“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9When publicity for Bell’s Love Wins suggested that he might be taking a position that stood outside of orthodoxy—Piper refuted. He didn’t waste time. He didn’t mince words. He was direct and to the point. Period.
Was Piper’s response hasty? Perhaps. Was it harsh? Possibly. Was it necessary? That’s what we must wrestle with and consider…
Doctrines are derived from systematic study of the Scriptures. They are not opinions. They do not fluctuate due to a cultural trend or a political agenda. They hold firm. This is precisely why religious trends have never destroyed what God is building—His Church.
Doctrine matters!
As followers of Christ, under submission to the Word of God, we have a responsibility to hold true to the long-standing doctrines of our faith. Moreover, we have a commitment to the teachings of our Savior.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20Jesus gave us this exhortation. To teach new believers everything that He commanded. And He taught us to obey these things. In order to obey, we must know what Jesus taught. Pretty straight-forward stuff! Clearly, Jesus is suggesting that doctrine and obedience cannot be divorced. This is true in a small group, a mid-sized community/Sunday school class, or a congregation. To live out our faith, in practical tangible ways, we must know what Jesus taught. It shouldn’t be ignored, dismissed, softened, or patronized.
So, read it. Study it. Discuss it. Live it. Because doctrine matters!
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing this Rob. Doctrine does matter and I'm sad that so many churches/pastors have traded in the love of Truth spoken in Love for the love of numerical growth and seeker-sensitivity. I love what my pastor says, "All believers are welcome here for worship, but only believers."
Not something I hear at many other churches and it is consistent with Holy Scripture teaching that we should love and welcome the lost but worship and have fellowship with only the brethren.
Thanks for your insight and guidance on this issue, Rob!
I agree that doctrine matters. So does how we treat one another, especially in front of the whole world. To disagree with another believer is one thing, to "unfriend" them because of that disagreement in a very public way is another.
The model Jesus gave us in Matthew is to approach our brother in private and if that doesn't work, bring a couple of mature believers with you. Piper did not do either of these as far as I can tell.
"Farewell, Rob Bell." Really? That is hardly the loving, humble way we should treat one another. That is not to say we let anything go doctrinally, but Piper hadn't even read the book, he was merely reacting to what he thought it was about. I haven't read it either and don't know much about Rob Bell, so I am not taking his side in all of this, just pointing out that there is a better way to deal with one another in Christ.
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