My Thoughts on Rob Bell

My latest contribution to Ruminate Magazine’s website shares a bit of the long and winding road that is my ongoing spiritual journey. The latest stop on this trip included a visit to New York City to hear Rob Bell speak in the latest rendition of his “Everything is Spiritual” tour. As I explain in my essay, he’s a controversial figure in the religious world. But, “My spiritual journey is not about following gurus or cults of personality. It is about connection—finding friends, kindred spirits, brothers and sisters. Once encountered, we tend to recognize each other.” While I can’t speak for Rob, I get the sense that we hold our faith in a similar way and evangelize accordingly. The controversy comes in because others, surprisingly of the same faith, seem to think he isn’t going about things in the right way. They kind of remind me of a tyrannical child in a sandbox who won’t let you play or build anything unless you do it by his earthbound rules. Of course the other kids eventually give up and leave, defeating the purpose of the sandbox–to be in community, our hands deep in the messy but awesome business of discerning God’s will, and taking our part in the ongoing creation that is His plan and not someone else’s. I admire Rob’s determination to stay in the sandbox. My essay will show you why I do the same. Here’s the link to the piece. I hope you enjoy it. In the meantime, please pass the sand bucket. And maybe the starfish mold…