Yet, Rob Bell peppers his book with statements that God always gets what he wants. Since, according to Bell, God loves everyone, therefore, his love ultimately wins over all obstacles and everyone will join in that happy land. The belief that some can resist while all others ultimately enjoy God's love cannot stand with the belief that God always gets what he wants.

Obviously, he does not, according to Bell’s own statements. Therefore, Rob Bell either blatantly contradicts himself or states an untruth. One or both statements relate an untruth.

In addition, Rob Bell emphasizes the love of God to the exclusion of other prominent doctrines. These doctrines bear upon the doctrine of eternal life. For example, Rob fails to comment upon God's holiness and his subsequent demand for mankind’s holiness, without which no man shall see God (1 Thessalonians 3.13; 4.7; Hebrews 12.14).

Again, God's love does not overrule his justice. Justice always fits the punishment to the crime. Many have fallen for the error in Love Wins where Rob Bell defines one’s sins as finite (See page 102.). However, that description fails to explain the true nature of sin.

Ultimately, all sin violates an infinite God and his holy law. That makes our sins infinite in nature, because we commit them against God's infinite nature. Justice, then, demands an infinite punishment.

Unlike Rob Bell who used a limited illustration of hell, the Scriptures provide numerous examples of the judgment that awaits the reprobate. The following list identifies some of them.

a place

hell: Mathew 5.22, 29-30

torment: Luke 16.28

suffering

wrath of God: Romans 2.5

second death: Revelation 21.8

terms

hell of fire: Mark 9.44

everlasting fire: Matthew 25.41

lake burning with fire and brimstone: Revelation 9.2

outer darkness: Mathew 8.12

torment in this flame: Luke 16.24

unquenchable fire: Luke 3.7

furnace of fire: Mathew 13.42

blackness of darkness: Jude 1.13

torment: Revelation 14.10 (1)

This list comprises only some of the references regarding the subject of hell and the eternal judgment of God. Furthermore, the Scriptures provide an additional catalogue of terms that describe the sufferings themselves and their duration. (2)

Sadly, nowhere does the Bible indicate or imply that these punishments have an end. In fact, the scene of the end of the ages described in Revelation clearly leaves the reprobate outside the new city, new heavens, and the new earth. (Revelation 21.8, 27; 22.15)

Rob Bell in his book Love Wins deludes many into the false hope of some sort of eternal salvation that the Bible does not teach. According to Bell, God offers to those excluded a multitude, seemingly endless, opportunities to join the heavenly celebration.

Sadly, no Scriptures support such a theory. Rob Bell has based his theory upon speculation, nothing more.

Jesus could not have made it simpler. He stated: “Repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1.15) Jesus demands nothing short of a complete turn from sin, self-righteousness, and self-reliance to trust in Jesus Christ and what he accomplished on behalf of sinners like you and me.

Therefore, if you have not followed Christ's simple call, I urge you to repent and believe today. Place your exclusive trust upon Jesus Christ, God's provision as a substitute for sinners like you and me, to save you and to give to you that eternal life that only he can give. (John 3.16) He will accept nothing less.

References

1. Hodge, A. A. Outlines of Theology. Banner of Truth Trust: Carlisle, PA 17013. 1999; p. 580.