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Rob Bell is ‘Here,’ and he’s happier and more hopeful than ever…

By March 17, 2016November 17th, 2019Blog

Rob-Bell-ap3

I’m a fan of Rob Bell.

Always have been.

His new book, How To Be Here, might be my favorite book that’s he’s written. I loved Love Wins and Velvet Elvis, but How To Be Here is practical hope that I have been able to apply to my everyday life–specifically how I think about myself and what I believe to be true about me.

Because I’m a fan, I was thrilled that he agreed to join Ben and me on this week’s episode of That God Show…

Amid our interview, Ben asked Rob this question: Rob, what do you say to the people who just aren’t sure what they believe anymore?

The first thing that happens when the rug gets pulled out is people are most acutely aware of what they no longer believe or think… They say, “I don’t know what I believe anymore” but that’s not actually true, because the reason why you are walking away from that previous framework is because it didn’t work…

We do not move to later stages of consciousness without loss, pain, suffering, or some–usually cross-cultural–experience where our previous categories and labels no longer work. Generally in times of stress, loss, pain, or when we’re confronted with some new experience that doesn’t fit our previous categories, we will either dig in our heels and entrench, or we will break through to greater expansiveness, freedom, complexity, or inclusion… So to the person who’s like, “Oh man, I’m just taking the whole thing apart, nothing works like it used to, up is not down, right is not left… that’s the only way that growth happens. And so, celebrate it! Because it means the old is going and the new is coming.

So, the first thing I would say is it’s not entirely true that you have no idea what you believe anymore. It just happens that in this moment you are acutely aware of some things you no longer believe, but the only reason you don’t believe them is because there’s something better that is pushing them out… This is how people grow— it’s totally normal, and you should celebrate it.

Whether you’re a fan of Rob or not, our conversation might interest/surprise you.

Here’s the interview.

And please, subscribe to That God Show

Matthew Paul Turner

Author Matthew Paul Turner

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Join the discussion 7 Comments

  • deskalbak says:

    I’m a fan of Rob too. He was really the first to make me think and move away from the fundamentalism that was ingrained in me from childhood. And that was before Love Wins. I’ll always feel indebted to him for his words, his lack of a condescending tone, and his ability to inspire people to be better. He’s always been gracious, especially under fire. He tells a story better than anyone I’ve ever heard. I’m so grateful he’s still writing.

  • R. G. Lehman says:

    Rob Bell is loving people to hell. That is not a better story and it certainly isn’t loving. He has created his own gospel, please read the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you and get away from this heretic.

  • Paul says:

    I’d rather be in hell with Rob if he’s wrong than with those who call him a heretic in heaven, cuz that would really be hell.

  • Brian says:

    Just watched this today – Rob and Bill are onto something. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9TvFkiLLMo&feature=share

  • ric822 says:

    Far too often we get caught up in the, ” I disagree, thus I must dislike” frame of mind. But any good writer (such as Mr. Bell) that makes us think deserves our consideration. It’s good to have our applecart’s overturned every once in a while so that we may gain fresh perspective.