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“By the way, Tim man, the Timmonator, Timenstine, I didn’t say Bell was teaching universalism. I say: ‘This [above] is universalism…oops, [until one realizes] except obviously there are bad people in the world and Jesus did say the road was “narrow” so now we have to [move away from universalism in order to] account for that.’ peace.”

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I have to disagree that you what you wrote here is what you wrote elsewhere. Take all the brackets out you’ve inserted here, and I, too, read what you said as being an accusation against Bell of universalism. Further, others are picking up the cry against him as a universalist — even someone I respect very much has said so.

I doubted it. See, I read Rob’s book on sex. Not bad. Not great — I’ve got a pretty high bar when it comes to Christians writing about sex. But good. On top of that, I’m too used to people trashing emergent Christians, Christians who did NOT vote for George Bush, and various other types of Christians. These folks with their ministries of gossip and innuendo and bombast often call themselves “Cult-ministries” or “Apologists.” Apologizers is what they should be. And it sounded like maybe Rob Bell was their latest victim.

So I went on line to see. Sure enough. Just a bit of web surfing left me completely depressed. First, I discovered Bell being trashed as a universalist with YOUR quotes on another web site that has labeled the ministry I’m involved in (Cornerstone Festival) as a teacher of Wicca, and myself as a (If I remember right) a warlock of some sort due to my tattoos and piercings. I’ve been an orthodox fairly vanilla evangelical for 30 some years. But let’s not let facts get in the way of a cool tall tale.

But here you are, complaining you’ve been misintrpreted and misrepresented. Fascinatin’! Because by admitting it isn’t true here, with your brackets, you damage not only your original quotes but also your credibility altogether.

If Rob Bell is not a universalist, why use that word? If he *IS* a universalist, say so and quote him in context and at length enough to prove it. If not, please… shut up. Your gossip is maligning someone else who is only a human being. I don’t doubt Rob Bell is wrong on some things. Aren’t we all? I tire of those who seem unable to give room to their sisters and brothers to make the glorious mistakes a walk of faith often leads to. I am just *so* tired of those with a certainty about everything. I am less and less certain about anything… anything except the surpassing and unchanging grace (LOVE!) of God. Sure there’s a hell. There’s a heaven, too. And neither of them seem as real to most people, Christians included, as the complex web of relationships, sin, redemption, joy, and suffering this planet offers us 24/7.

In the end, what is going to happen — no, what has happened and is happening now — is that the theological shotgun hunters (along with the smart bomb droppers) are going to encounter a whole new world through the eyes and hearts and hands of those who simply, without a word, pass them by.

I’m still old school enough to at least tip my hat as I walk away.

Chicago / 12:19 am Monday Feb 4

What your article said in a nutshell: “whatever Rob wrote is just fine — even if the words don’t actually communicate a fine theological message — I don’t believe Rob would say something wrong.”

I wouldn’t want you to continue being perplexed. You say: “You seem far more concerned with calling me a hypocrite than with the substances of my criticisms of your views.”

This would be in correct.

I wouldn’t want you to continue being perplexed. You say: “You seem far more concerned with calling me a hypocrite than with the substances of my criticisms of your views.”

This would be incorrect.

I would not wish you to stay perplexed. You say: “You seem far more concerned with calling me a hypocrite than with the substances of my criticisms of your views.”

This would be incorrect. :-)

I have to admit to being a bit perplexed. You seem far more concerned with calling me a hypocrite than with the substances of my criticisms of your views.

This is good to know. By the way my website does have a contact page with a direct link to email me…