A few days ago, I finished the newest book by author/pastor Rob "skinny jeans" Bell, entitled, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived . I’ve read several long, exhaustive reviews of his work. I'm going to save you all a lot of time and intellectual energy. My review of his book will be short and to the point. Bell's book is junk. This is the worst book that I have ever read in the history of books (I know I'm exaggerating). Rob thinks that he’s helping us all by raising important questions on important eschatological issues, but in reality he is making a huge statement about the character and truth of God. “Hell is what we create for ourselves when we reject God’s love. Really! Hell is both a present reality for those who resist God and a future reality for those who die unready for God’s love. Really! Hell is what we make of heaven when we cannot accept the good news of God’s forgiveness and mercy. Really! ……hell is not forever, God will have his way. How can his good purposes fail? Really Rob! Every sinner will turn to God and realize he has already been reconciled to God, in this life or in the next. Really Rob!! There will be no eternal conscious torment. Really Rob!!! God says no to injustice in the age to come, but he does not pour out wrath (we bring the temporary suffering upon ourselves), and he certainly does not punish for eternity. In the end, love wins”. REALLY!!! (This whole quote borrowed from Kevin Deyoung but the “Really" and "Really Rob” interjections are all mine).
I understand that some will argue that Rob's total body of work including his preaching ministry is really good, solid and beneficial. I have not read Rob's total body of worknor have I listened to many of his sermons, so that I don't know. Besides I'm not criticizing Rob's total body of work, just this one that currently stands before us. My personal recommendation is to take this book to the nearest good will or thrift store bookstore and have them burn it. It’s that bad!
For His Glory,
Todd