In a December 21 story over at ABP News.com we read:

Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., has become a controversial figure among evangelical Christians. On a recent stop for his lecture tour, “The Gods Aren’t Angry,” in Louisville, Bell sat down for an interview with Kentucky Baptists’ Western Recorder. He shot back at his critics, saying precise definitions and formulations of doctrines aren’t necessary prerequisites to evangelism or Christian unity. (Online source)

Certainly not, Rob Bell, if your message of universalism doesn’t square with certain “precise definitions” which you're trying hard to blur and erase. This is also interesting:

When asked whether he is an emergent-church leader or claims any affiliation with the movement, Bell simply said, “No.” But he said he understands the movement to be “simply a conversation asking, ‘What does it mean to be the people of Jesus?’”

Addressing anyone who is critical of such a movement, Bell said, “I wonder whether that person is a Christian. That seems like a conversation they ought to have.”

Ok; Rob Bell is not part of the emerging church and I am in line to become the next national co-ordinator of Emergent Village—sorry Tony Jones. And since it’s pretty obvious that I am highly “critical of such a movement”; well now, has Rob just questioned my salvation?

Good, at least he may be starting to understand the very heart of the matter. Rob Bell preaches a man-centered gospel (at best), and I preach a God-centered Gospel. One of us is preaching a different gospel. And finally—for now:

Bell insisted he is not worried about offending “fundamentalists,” adding that each time he does so, “there are a thousand [new] people who are now listening.”

1) I’m not a “fundamentalist,” 2) I’m not worried about offending neo-liberals, and 3) my concern is what these new people “are now listening” to as I make crystal clear in Rob Bell Says God Has Already Made Peace With All Men and Rob Bell Agrees With New Age Guru Marianne Williamson.