A Rob Bell Controversy Timeline: Eight Links To Get an Overview

Over the last two weeks there has been a firestorm in the blog world about Rob Bell's upcoming new book - "Love Wins - A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived."

A Google Search on "Rob Bell and Love Wins" will give you an unbelievable number of posts, views, and hits.

All of this began after Harper-Collins posted a book highlight on their website along with a video by Rob Bell introducing the subject matter anticipating the release of the book in few weeks. The controversy prompted HC to push the release of "Love Wins" up two weeks.

What's the issue? Essentially, Rob questions whether it is really true that Hell is eternally filled with people who don't receive Jesus, seeming to espouse a universalist position.

I've put together a few links that will give you a overview of the controversy:

Rob Bell's Video

- The "teaser" video that introduces the book

Harper-Collins Book Highlight

- The publisher's summary

February 26, 2011 - Justin Taylor - "Rob Bell: Universalist?"

- the blog that raised the issue for Evangelical Christians

February 26, 2011 - Kevin DeYoung - "To Hell with Hell"

- a thoughtful critique of the importance of this issue

March 1, 2011 - Al Mohler - "Universalism as a Lure? The Emerging Case of Rob Bell"

- analysis of Bell's method of risky question-asking which Mohler calls "theological striptease"

March 4, 2011 - New York Times - "Rob Bell Stirs Wrath with New Views on Old Questions"

- an summary article of the controversy

March 8, 2011 - CNN Blog - "Firestorm Grows Over Christian Heresy Book"

- a fascinating blog with quotes from Mars Hill Staff and the background of Zondervan's refusal to publish "Love Wins"

March 9, 2011 - Tim Challis - "Love Wins - A Review of Rob Bell's New Book"

- a thoughtful review of an early copy (pre-publishing) of "Love Wins"

There will certainly be much more written about this, especially when the book is available in its final form.