Nooma. Doesn't matter how much time goes by, it seems to keep coming up. Well, I concede it is to be expected, given its incredible popularity. I have the (very minor) distinction of having been a member of the congregation when Rob Bell was a (dare I say it?) nobody. No, I don't have his autograph and no, I never was invited over for tea.
The one thing about Rob was how engaging his presentations were. Part of his popularity can, without a doubt, be contributed to this. Not only were his presentations engaging, but you always walked away with something of a feel-good emotion coupled with the slight inspiration toward thought and reflection on the very things he spoke of during his presentation. I suppose that's a good thing, considering the fact that what he presented was / is meant to be the message of God.
Nooma is just a grand, extremely popular extension of his obviously gifted presentation skills. So its no wonder that it should resurface once again. The fact that its come up again is the reason for this post.
As you can tell already, I'm quite impressed with Rob's ability as a speaker and presenter. However, being impressed with another's ability doesn't mean full agreement with what is being presented. I have to confess that, after much internal debate over the matter, I have come to the conclusion that I do not immediately or readily support Rob Bell's teachings and, as a result, the Nooma series.
As I prepared this post, I gathered several quotations from several sources that reviewed Nooma and other works of Rob's. I wanted to be sure that my instinctive opposition to Rob wasn't just some kind of jealous envy (oh yes, it would be great to be such a gifted speaker) or an expression of a hidden prejudice toward someone with the popular vote. I wanted to then share those quotations with you so you would see what influenced or supported my existing thought process over the issue of the integrity of the gospel Rob asserts he believes and is delivering. In the end, I believe I did well in seeking discernment on the matter and as such, retain my position of doubt about the integrity of the alleged 'message of the gospel' presented by Rob.
That said, I will not share with you those specific quotations but I will leave you with a link to the one review that largely summarizes the thoughts and conclusions I have on the matter. You can find that review here ("The Scoop'a on NOOMA" by Greg Gilbert).
May you read with a discerning heart. (1 John 4:1)
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ReplyDeletehave heard mixed things about Bell.
ReplyDeleteNot surprisingly, Jason. After all, when you get as popular as Rob is (and as popular as NOOMA), there's bound to be mixed reviews. The larger concern here, of course, is to address openly those things that could cause harm to the advocates all the while encouraging the critics not to allow personal bias to interfere with their critique.
ReplyDeleteWe serve God. Let us honor Him. We serve each other. Let us exhort and protect. We serve the lost. Let us love and encourage.
I think I saw "Bullhorn" and then wanted nothing more to do with his take on the Gospel.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few of his videos plus I "knew" him when he was pastoring at the church I attended. He's certainly gifted. Perhaps therein lies some of the issue - people seeking an entertaining Christianity flock to such individuals without discerning or even trying to discern by which spirit such individuals are ministering. I don't doubt Rob's sincerity but I definitely question his definition of the gospel and the integrity by which it is being presented.
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