Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 19:1 (Winter 2010)
Article: "Love Wins—"Or Jesus Rescues? A Review Article Of Rob Bell’s Book
Author: Larry Dixon

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EMJ 19:1 (Winter 2010) p. 95

Love Wins—Or Jesus Rescues?
A Review Article Of Rob Bell’s Book1

Larry Dixon

Larry Dixon is a graduate of Emmaus Bible College and Professor of Church History and Theology at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Missions. He is the author of numerous publications and is a frequent speaker at various assemblies and Bible conferences. Larry has taught at Emmaus as an adjunct faculty member.

I’ve finally done it! After listening to Rob Bell’s book Love Wins twice via mp3s, I’ve actually finished the physical book itself. HarperOne did a masterful job of promoting the book through a short video featuring Bell challenging the notion that billions upon billions of people will go to a place of eternal torment without any chance of rescue.

The blogosphere quickly cranked up and an old-timey (albeit digital) pamphlet war began between those who identified themselves as either pro-Bell or anti-Bell. The anti-Bellums were convinced that the second shoe had finally dropped and that Bell was identifying himself as a universalist who had come out of the closet. Some in that group suggested that he had flirted with universalism (the notion that all humans [and some even add Satan] will be saved in the end) in his earlier book Velvet Elvis.2

The pro-Bellums quickly attacked the attackers, arguing that arguing is not Christian, that we should not judge, that Bell isn’t a universalist. “After all,” some said, “he went on TV multiple times and said he is not

EMJ 19:1 (Winter 2010) p. 96

a universalist!”3One defender even suggested that, given the complicated nature of language, we can’t even be sure what the gospel really is!4

The anti-Bellums have made some excellent points, reminding us that universalism (if indeed Bell is a universalist) is not a new heresy, that we have a responsibility to “guard the good deposit entrusted to us” (2 Tim. 1:14), that we are to watch our life and doctrine closely (1 Tim. 4:16), that “men will not put up with sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3), and that “savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!”

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