![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/gamecock/purposedriven2.jpg?t=1291159509")
Posted on 05/07/2013 8:34:23 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Former megachurch pastor Rob Bell appeared in a recent radio discussion with Christian British minister Andrew Wilson to discuss his new book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God, and grew frustrated when pressed by Wilson to explain his theological reasons for affirming homosexuality and same-sex relationships.
Bell and Wilson appeared on the U.K. faith debate program "Unbelievable?" hosted by Justin Brierley on Premier Christian Radio. Wilson is a published theologian and elder at Kings Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The men, moderated by Brierley, started the discussion by debating various issues during the hour-plus program, but it was during their discussion on homosexuality that Bell appeared to grow visibly upset.
"Do you believe that this is an area where actually God is ahead of the church, that affirming same-sex partnerships is actually a God thing and that we will eventually all get to see that in the course of time?" Brierley asked Bell of comments he made in March.
The former Mars Hill Bible Church pastor revealed in March his acceptance of gay marriage, having said, "I believe God [is] pulling us ahead into greater and greater affirmation and acceptance of our gay brothers and sisters and pastors and friends and neighbors and coworkers." Previously, Bell had also stated that he was "for marriage ... for fidelity ... for love" whether it was with homosexual or heterosexual relationships.
"I think the ship has sailed and I think that the church needs to just … this is the world that we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are," Bell said in March.
He reiterated his position on homosexuality during his interview on Premier Christian Radio last week.
"I think it's time for the church to acknowledge that we have brothers and sisters who are gay and want to share their life with someone. This is a part of life in the modern world and that's how it is. And that cultural consciousness has shifted, and this is how the world is and that what's happening for a lot of people, is that they want nothing to do with God and Jesus because they can't see beyond that particular issue," he said in response to Brierley's question.
"What I don't know is the grounding for that statement ...," said Wilson. He asked Bell if he would say that two men having sex is not sinful.
"I would begin with, I am for monogamy, I am for fidelity, I am for commitment. I think the world needs more of that. I think that promiscuity is dangerous and promiscuity is destructive," said Bell. "Some people are gay and want to share their life with someone and they should be able to. That's how the world is and we should affirm that. We should affirm monogamy, fidelity and commitment – both gay and straight." He went on to add that he does not see same-sex relationships as "destructive or evil."
Wilson asked Bell if his remark was a positive or negative response to his initial question on homosexual acts being sinful.
"What I'm trying to get my head around is, do you think it's sinful but we need to lump it because the world's changed? Or do you think it's not sinful and if so, do you think the Bible doesn't think it's sinful and that Jesus didn't think it was sinful?" said Wilson.
"I'm not aware that Jesus mentions it. I think you have about five verses that can be read a number of different ways. And there is a large Christian tradition that sees this as there are Scriptures that speak to this but I don't think you make it an overwhelmingly (sic) case against it," responded Bell.
Wilson then asked Bell if his position is that homosexual acts are "not a problem for God" and that if he would say that if Paul and Jesus are understood properly, people would find that "they genuinely didn't have a problem with guys having sex with guys."
"I think Paul had his answer to that question tied up in worship of all sorts of other deities. I think it was all one giant hairball in Paul's day. And that, for him, that was the temple and there was the temple of other gods who were opposed to the God of Israel and that went on in there. So I think when Paul was talking about this issue, for him it's tied up in all sorts of idolatry, it's all sorts of rejection of God. So I don't want to pull the various issues apart. I don't think they had a cultural conception ...," said Bell before being cut off by Wilson, who then gave a scenario of the apostle Paul having to deal with homosexuality at the church in Corinth.
"There's two gay men at the church in Corinth, they're having sex together, they're not worshipping idols. Paul's gonna say, 'That's great guys, go for it, we need more of that ...' Is that what you believe is true of Paul?" Wilson asked.
"I think Paul didn't have that cultural framework or conception operating around him. I think he had men and boys. I think he had temples. I did not think he was talking about what we're talking about in 2013 which is two committed people in a same-sex relationship. So I would start there," said Bell.
While the discussion eventually ended amicably, the repeated questions from Wilson about Bell's theological support for embracing homosexuality eventually led the former megachurch pastor to express frustration with what he felt was a challenge to his commitment to Christ.
Bell, who toured the U.K. last month to promote What We Talk About When We Talk About God, surprised the evangelical Christian community in March when he expressed support for same-sex marriage, although he had previously affirmed gay Christians. The married father of three's controversial position is considered unorthodox by many in the Christian community who believe the Bible rejects sexual relationships outside the confines of traditional marriage.
The Mars Hill Bible Church founder and his family left the Michigan congregation he founded in 1999 to move to California last year, where he has been developing a faith-inspired television program with "Lost" series creator Carlton Cuse. Bell's best-selling book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, was also considered controversial by some who believe it challenges traditional teachings on a literal, eternal hell and belief in Jesus Christ being necessary for heaven.
Hmmm, so this is how you grow a mega-church.
So he must be right.
Rob Bell is a stench in the nostrils of God Himself!!!!
This is absolute nonsense and essentially idolatry. All we can know of God is what he chooses to reveal of himself. This revelation take place in his creation (general revelation) and scripture (special revelation). Scripture makes clear that homosexual behavior is a sin and that no unrepentant homosexual will "enter the Kingdom of God". That's not going to change regardless of where society goes. Bell is just inventing an imaginary God that agrees with him on everything and choosing to worship this figment of his imagination. That's pretty much the definition of idolatry.
Looks like someone rang his, "bell".
I know plenty of mega-church pastors who teach orthodox Christianity and beleive this guy is a heretic.
And the list is getting longer of mainline protestant pastors and Catholics Clergy who are straying into this error. ALL aspects of Christianity are seeing this error creep in.
So this minister has a Bible church. Somebody tell me why a megachurch is better than a smaller church?
Excellent points.
He doesn’t believe in sin, or its consequences.
ANY so called pastor who affirms homosexual marriage is digging himself a hole in hell that he will never be able to climb out of. If any pastor, whatever, tells you anything that differs from the Bible, RUN!!! Run from him and his apostate teachings as fast as you can. The Bible said what it said and meant what it said. It was meant for mankind forever. It was not meant for back then and is now changeable by man. The Bible CLEARLY tells you not to add or subtract from it. If you do, then hell is opening up to you. Run from these nuts. Believe ONLY what the Bible tells you. Not a bunch of these liars who “interpret” it in their meager minds.
God isn’t pulling us ahead on this matter, it is the world in its more anti-God form of radical liberalism. These are the same people who support abortion so why is this minister having anything to do with these anti-God people?
Makes sense the enemy would affect the thoughts and heart of a man whose church membership is so large....if the enemy of men's souls can change Bell and the congregation by calling evil good....they in turn will move others to reconsider.
The enemy is very busy “changing” the minds and hearts of men these days....church leaders are not exempt.
Romans 12:2
(ESV)
2 Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Beats me. I’m just observing.
More like he's "giving us over". See Romans 1:24, 26, 28
Ugh!
Here is Dr. James White’s (Alpha and Omega Ministries) recent response to Bell’s position on homosexuality as stated on Justin Brierly’s Unbelievable Radio program.
Rob Bell on Homosexuality on the Unbelievable Broadcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZLyZvmdVw8
And here is Dr. White’s free download on the topic of the mistaken notion of “Gay Christianity.” It’s long and quite thorough.
“Gay Christianity” Refuted!
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=5086
humanist...nothing more.
this guy is a sham.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.