Here’s an excerpt from Tony Jones predicting how the book release will go:

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-The Calvinistas will attack Rob as a universalist
-Rob won’t care
-Christianity Today will write a review that expresses some serious doubt and hesitation about Rob’s new book, but they won’t entirely throw him under the bus (yet)
-Rob won’t care
-Lots of people like me will blog about this
-Rob won’t care
-Some people will even leave Mars Hill Bible Church because they don’t like what’s in the book
-Rob won’t care

It’s a special gift to be able to be a theological provocateur and to be so un-codependent that you can say whatever you like with no fear. It seems to me that Rob Bell has that gift.

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You’ll notice Justin NOT having a temper tantrum after you finish throwing yours. ‘Theological provocateur’ fits fairly well.

I think when you get all bent out of shape about ANYTHING on BeDeviant, you’re missing the point of the blog. And when you get all pissy, those of us who can remain calm have to laugh. It’s supposed to bug you a little. Otherwise we’d be on BeTypical.com.

Quoted post: http://bit.ly/dMTT0W

Thanks for a great blog that I’ve followed for the past couple of years. I, too, have subscribed to your new one. I like the challenges you’ve posed to this “old” man, but more importantly, as a “Brother.”

Like you, I have a deep respect, appreciation and admiration for those who pastor the local church. I was a youth pastor in my early years, and I know, too well, the personal sacrifices they make.

If I’ve learned anything in my 63 years, it is “embracing change” that makes our lives richer, fuller and worthwhile. So I’m excited to see you take this step in your life as you follow your passion; while assuring you that you will be rewarded in ways you have yet to imagine.

I wish you, Kerry and Finn, all the best and Godspeed.

Thanks for all the hard work and dedication to this blog and for presenting the practical aspects of how God has influenced your life and what that looks like when you flesh it out. Your life models faith, risk, and passion. And I think God will continue to bless you in your life and ministry because of these things. And this inspires me, so thank you for keepin’ it real!

I will definitely continue to follow your work at justinwise.net.

Keep changing the world brother! God Bless!

I agree.

It does not matter how the divorce happened and that is my point. Given the vague context, this is really not about divorce. It is about a specific sin that is unknown to all of us – so it’s impossible to form a full conclusion on this letter.

Being biblical is following the standards and guidelines laid out in Scripture when you are confronted with a certain decision. Obviously, these elders were confronted with a decision on whether or not to continue this member’s membership. I’m not even sure this is about a specific sin as it is about the person not responding to their initial requests.

The whole thing could be a big mis-understanding, but all we have to go on is what is written in the letter – and what is written in the letter, to the best of my limited knowledge, falls in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Scripture for dealing with such a conflict (ie “biblical”). The quoted scripture in the letter serves as citation and proof as to WHY they are doing what they are doing – not justification for doing so, in my opinion.

Anybody can quote scripture, true, but it is the person (or church) who follows scripture that is acting “biblically”.