Tweeting Truth?

Know who they guy in the picture is? His name is Rob Bell. He is a poet, artist, teacher and pastor who happens to work at a church called Mars Hill. It's in Michigan. If you listen to Rob via podcasts or video, or, for some reason end up @ Mars Hill on a Sunday he is preaching you will appreciate that he is a very gifted communicator with some provocative thoughts about God and life with Him. 

In a few weeks Rob will release a book entitled, "Love Wins." 

You can read the write up to the book here 

(http://www.amazon.ca/Love-Wins-About-Heaven-Person/dp/006204964X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299535597&sr=8-1) 

You can watch the promo video for it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUvw2McL8g&hd=1

Now, I am not making any claims about Rob Bell, what he thinks, believes or is asserting in this book. In part because I think that would be foolish, since the book isn't out yet. I will admit that he asks provocative questions and clearly the book and video are designed to get people thinking - and, the cynic in me says, to sell lots and lots of books!

Anyway, here's the reason for this post: a few weeks ago a bunch of other church leaders (Justin Taylor and John Piper) watched the video and read the release re: the book. Their claim? Rob Bell is a - wait for it - he's a ghastly universalist!!!!! That's right, their CLAIM is that Rob Bell thinks everyone goes to heaven! 

I say claim, because, neither have actually read the book. They are inferring it. And, in so doing, John Piper tweeted, "Farewell Rob Bell" as if to say that we ought to bid adieu those in our midst who espouse anything short of what we think represents orthodoxy.

Again, let me be clear: I don't know what Rob Bell beleives about this sort of thing. I have neither asked him, nor read the book. But, here's what I find really, really hard to understand: if I did believe that someone (of influence or not) was spousing something that I found hard to stomach, understand or swallow, why oh why would i bid them farewell? Why wouldn't I, especially in this case, want to go to their place, grab a coffee and say, "tell me about what you are thinking on this topic cuz we see it so differently and I might have something to learn!"

What is it about Christian leaders that makes them feel like we ought to always distance, shun or shame the people with whom we disagree? 

Why wouldn't we, in the pursuit of truth, always and by default want to talk to everyone with whom we disagree, listen intently to how they see things, engage in the dialogue of ideas and pursue truth?

I know - some of you are going to say that's a bit naive and I should put down my rose coloured glasses. Others are going to feel - but never say - that this is a very fearful place to live - because others with whom we disagree might influence our thoughts and if they do, our whole house of cards might come crashing down!

Again, call me idealistic, but I genuinely believe God to be a God of truth. That means that he is the Lord of ALL truth, no matter where it is found. So, could Rob Bell teach me something? I hope so. Could Piper and others - again, I hope so! However, if we Christians keep parceling up the world along the lines of who thinks the same as us @ every turn we will sacrifice any hope of being friendly and kind, let alone having even a distant shot at being things like salt and light.