DISCLAIMER ***There are spoilers in this review!***
Love Wins by Rob Bell attempts to redefine Hell using scriptural proof, but fails. I appreciate Bell's enthusiasm for understanding biblical passages in their original context; however, I find little true biblical teaching in Love Wins.
I believe Bell is trying to help people who have questions about Hell by writing this book. But he bends scriptural texts and alters their meanings to ease the minds of readers about the doctrine of Hell.
For example, on pages 90-91 Bell introduces the Greek phrase found in Matt 25:46, that Bell says is "Aion of Kalazo," and means a "time of trimming." However, if we look closely at this phrase in its context, we will find that the phrase Matthew uses is actually "Aionios Kolasis," and this phrase is translated as "eternal punishment" in many Bible versions. Bell claims that this phrase actually means a "period of pruning." Bell is using the noun and verb forms of this phrase instead of the adjective and noun forms that are found in the Greek. Aion and Aionios are similar; however, Kalazo and Kalosis share a similar etymology but have different meanings. This phrase "Aionios Kolasis" does not mean a "time of trimming", but is accurately translated "Everlasting/eternal (time) Hell (suffering/punishment)." If we read this phrase in its context we will see that the period of time referred to there is an eternal age...an age of punishment for the wicked (as noted by Francis Chan, Erasing Hell).
Love Wins is lacking in exegetical integrity. On page 116 we find the following paragraph, "If we want isolation, despair, and the right to be our own god, God graciously grants us that option. If we insist on using our God-given power and strength to make the world in our own image, God allows us that freedom..." Nowhere in scripture is this claim evident. In fact, the teaching of scripture is opposed to this assertion as found in Love Wins. The Bible states throughout that God abhors any people who would worship other gods or even attempt to worship Him on terms other than His own. We cannot attempt to make ourselves gods and think that God will support our idolatry. The Bible teaches He alone is the only God worthy to be called by this name, (Exod. 20:3; Lev 10: 1-3).
Nearing the close of the book on page 172, Bell writes, "We are now invited to live a whole new life without guilt or shame or blame or anxiety. We are going to be fine." I find this statement--given its context--to be frightening. If we look to scripture and find the teachings in Love Wins to be untrue, then Love Wins gives its readers--or at least those readers who do not examine everything by the Bible--a false sense of security about their afterlife, and their lives at present.
Ultimately and authoritatively the Bible affirms the doctrine of Hell. And by process of direct declaration disproves the teachings in Love Wins. The doctrine of Hell is not a doctrine in which evangelical Christians should delight. In fact, this truth should grieve our hearts and kindle our motivation for evangelism. But our consciences are bound by the Word of God, and we must believe its teachings to be true regardless of what we want. I would love for everyone to eventually end up in heaven, and I would love for God to define love in the way that I define it. But God is God, He is good, and does whatever He pleases (Ps. 115: 3). He defines love...we do not get that privilege and this is why the pursuit of His truth is of upmost importance.
Love Wins is a book that seeks to explain Hell in a new and less offensive way. It is written by a kind man, who no doubt has a pastoral heart as big as Lake Michigan, but Love Wins presents teachings not found in scripture that will lead people astray, and this is why the book fails.
For a clearer, more in-depth rebuttal to Love Wins, I would recommend the book Erasing Hell by Francis Chan. Chan deals with the teachings of Hell in the Bible in a humble, lucid, and thorough way. If you are influenced by Rob Bell's teaching about Hell, I would encourage you to get in the Word and explore these passages of scripture--and the whole of scripture--for yourself. I would recommend Erasing Hell to you as well. What I find most comforting in life and death is not that, sentimental love, wins; but that God, Who is love, wins.
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