Book Review: Hell, Rob Bell and What Happens When People Die

We live in a society where "truth" is relative and saying you know what the truth is gets you called names like "intolerant," "hypocritical," and "judgmental."


Rob Bell is a controversial figure in Christian circles because he's hard to pin down when it comes to "truth."  Bobby Conway isn't.  He believes what the Bible says and, despite being an "apologist," does not apologize for embracing the inerrancy of Scripture.  Conway has written Hell, Rob Bell and What Happens When People Die to disprove Love Wins but also to show how unashamed he is of the gospel and all that it teaches.


While I have not yet read Bell's book, Love Wins, I intend to -- I am not afraid of it and I like to know what I'm refuting.  However, I got the chance to read Bobby Conway's book for free and, well, free is good.


Conway was an unknown quantity to me before I opened his book so I came in without expectation -- well, that's not entirely true.  The book cover is so stark, I thought it looked like something someone would have published personally so my expectations were probably pretty low.  I was pleasantly surprised by the scholarship, honesty and urgency with which it is written.


I wonder why Bell continues to call himself a Christian.  He seems to think he can pick and choose what he wants to believe from the Bible and, if he truly believes as he states in the ads for his book that, "billions of people have been taught that . . . Jesus rescues you from God," [i.e. hell], what part does the Trinity play in his religion (because I think he's made one up)?


Bobby Conway takes his readers step-by-excruciating-step through the mess that is humanity's depravity and sin.  Through the amazing gift God offers to those who will believe on his son, Jesus; His life offered freely for that very depraved humanity.  To salvation.


If Bell is right and there is no hell; if there is no punishment for not believing in the only "name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), then why did Jesus have to die?  Why believe in Him at all?  Isn't God sending His son to die the ultimate cruelty if it was all for nothing?


The answer is that the Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)  This means that a loving, just and holy God must punish that sin.


Conway walks us through it; invites us to understand and, in the end, if you do not feel an urgency to tell others about Jesus, you need to read his book -- and the Bible -- again.


LOVE does win.  Bell's definitions of "love" and "winning" are just incorrect.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dug Down Deep: Not Your Ordinary Theological Primer

I had, of course, heard of Joshua Harris; having been in church for 17 years and served as a youth counselor for many of those, I couldn't avoid hearing about how he "kissed dating good-bye."  I made many bad decisions as a young adult until ultimately led to Christ, and had mixed feelings about what I heard about his suggestions but I never had the chance to read the book for myself.

Harris is a married man now, with three children and a thriving pastoral ministry.  As many of us do, he has matured and he has knowledge to impart.  Knowing about, but never having read anything by him, I opened this book with eager anticipation.  I was not disappointed.

The subtitle of Dug Down Deep is "Building Your Life on Truths that Last," and the central scripture is Luke 6:47-48 where Jesus described "the only true foundation for life."  Harris sets the stage with his own experiences and his longing for us to have a solid foundation on which to build our faith.

There are many books that can teach you about the definitions of "church-y" words like "doctrine," "theology," "atonement," and the like.  You can pick up a dictionary -- or visit dictionary.com as I often do.  However, this book is so much more than a mere list of definitions.  Neither is it a dry recitation of those definitions with fancy words and difficult-to-follow sentences.  Harris walks us through systematic theology using glimpses of his own walk, timely and relevant scripture references and the works of theologians both past and present.  The definitions are relatively easy to understand and the examples are often poignant, always appropriate.

This book is useful both as a source for the beginning of your study of church doctrine and orthodoxy, and as a reference as you mature in your faith and come to your own realizations of what those words actually mean to you personally.

It is both easy to read and understand AND mature.  I'll want all my children (ages 14, 18 and 21) to read it but also my husband, who leads a growing men's ministry.

Thank you, Mr. Harris, for a text that is  informative and riveting; useful and meaningful; literate and loving.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”