Recently a book review came to my attention which I think would be very helpful to you in recognizing a growing movement stateside, which eventually travels across the sea to countries far and wide.
I am sure that you have heard of the “Emergent Church Movement” that has been spreading its errant wings across the land for several years. One of the main spokesperson is Rob Bell, who pastors Mars Hill Church in Grandville, a Grand Rapids, MI, suburb. Since its inception, maybe ten years ago, it has grown into a mega church with some eight to ten thousand attending every week and another 50,000 that download Bell’s weekly podcasts.
Earlier this month, Bell’s newest book was released entitled, “LOVE WINS, a Book About Heaven, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.” Maybe you have seen him reviewed and questioned about his beliefs on various national talk shows in the last couple of weeks. Attached for you is a review and critique by Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor of University Reformed Church, East Lansing, MI. DeYoung, a young and upcoming author, has also published, “Why We’re Not Emergent;” “Why We Love the Church;” and his latest book, “Don’t Call It a Comeback, the Old Faith for a New Day,” which received a full page ad in the most recent edition of World Magazine. At the core of Bell’s book are universal salvation and the questioning, if not denying, of the reality of hell. The devil is peddling his doctrine today (Eph. 4:14; II Cor. 2:17) and I am afraid that many of our younger pastors, and missionaries, are buying his merchandise. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Download: Kevin DeYoung’s review of Love Wins (PDF)
–Maynard H. Belt
Preview this book at Google Books by clicking here.
Firestorm is a good description for what happens in many churches. Chapters go like this: Life Cycle of a Firestorm, Causes of a Firestorm, Fighting a Firestorm, and Out of the Ashes. Ron Susek uses real illustrations that make the issues clear and plain. As you read the book, you can identify with experiences you have witnessed or have been personally involved in. His solutions are wise. I recommend all Christian leaders to read the book. Also, if someone is seeking to help a church in a firestorm, this should be required reading for the church leadership.
Following service as a missionary in Africa, the editor of this new book, J. B. Williams accepted the position of Baptist Mid-Missions’ Southern Representative. This book which chronicles the current Bible translations controversy is subtitled, “A Layman’s Guide to How We Got Our Bible.” Dr. Ernest Pickering commented, “Many volumes on this subject of manuscripts and translations produce more heat than light. Happily, here is a book that is filled with light and little heat”. Order from Ambassador-Emerald Int’l, 1 Chick Spring Road, Suite 203, Greenville, SC 29609