I have used the NOOMA series with College and 11th and 12th graders. They love to watch the DVD's and it is a great way to discuss the errors in Rob Bell's theology. He does make an occasional good point but there are just too many half-truths and too much Scripture out of context.
I have used them to encourage the students to examine and think about what they are hearing to know if it is true. There are all kinds of churches and "Christian" ministries around colleges, which ones are actually proclaiming truth?

I don't think Rob Bell's Nooma series is meant to be used as a 4 spiritual law booklet, which is what I think is a let down for some people. The Nooma videos are great the way they are because they are meant to be used as a conversation starter, not a summary of the entirety of scripture. Bell takes the pieces of the Gospel that most easily crosses over to the emerging generation and creates a bridge for further conversation. No where should anyone with common sense expect to be able to show a Nooma video and think that they've done their job in spreading the Gospel. The videos are meant to be shown in the context of relationship, by which the continuation of the Gospel story can be lived out.

Dr. D.A. Carson addressed Rob Bell's teaching in a sermon delivered Feb. 8, 2008, at the Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology. I have posted the relevant excerpt of the sermon here: http://reformationunderway.com/index.php/site/comments/da-carson-on-rob-bell/

Full-length audio will be available soon.

i'm sorry, but i think the reviewer completely misses the point of the nooma series and is guitly of the typical myopia of those who run this website, who seem to think the task of christian leaders is simply to tell everyone to preach good calvinist doctrine.

bell's dvd's are not theological instructional videos, they are conversation starters aimed at christians...not people who aren't believers. the criticism here is more that Rob Bell didn't give a systematic theology presentation, or didn't do an expositional talk.

but i'm aware that as good southern baptists (post the takeover from the 80's) that you 9 marks boys love a good fight and debate, and branding people heretics or unorthodox, preaching "another gospel" or unamerican (especiallly considering the support of your denomination for certain political causes) is just part of the rhetoric you thrive on. You all seem to get a kick out of telling the misguided that they are wrong, and that they are obviously just sinfull or lacking the required commonsense needed to read scripture. Of course, this rhetoric is as much southern as it is christian (:

thanks for your time and input, in today's culture it is needed.

Richard, your criticisms of the "9 Marks boys" are unfair and simply not accurate. Until a recent move, I was a joyful attender of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, where the 9 Marks ministry was founded. You will be hard pressed to find a more loving, thoughtful congregation. They are not vitriolic "heresy hunters." They are theologically thoughtful and careful, but they are not as you describe the 9 Marks writers (many of whom are/were members of Capitol Hill Baptist). The sermons at the church are exegetical, not heavy on political emphasis, and one repeated admoniton is that God's Kingdom is not brought about primarily through political means. As to the Southern Baptists' branding people as "unAmerican," Mark Dever, a Southern Baptist and pastor of CHBC, actually removed the American flag from the church sanctuary, to avoid unnecessarily causing confusion between the issues of the Christian's identity in Christ and his/her national identity! American Christians are Christians who (may) live in America, not Americans who happen to be Christians. This is one of many truths that I was taught at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, and it is a perspective shared by 9 Marks writers (of those who happen to be American, that is).

I think Chris and Richard both have fantastic points. CHBC most likely does do an incredible job guarding their hearts against thinking that their citizenship is in the US rather than in heaven. However, one view of Bell's error is that he understands the gospel himself, but fails to communicate it in it's entirety. Similarly, Christians in the Southern Baptist convention may know in their hearts that the kingdom is not advanced through politics yet fail to communicate that to the outside world. The emergent church probably has countless flaws, but from my perspective, their emphasis on missional living has at least shed light on the need to get divorced from corporate political activism. While orthodoxy is extremely important, a person can have good doctrine without actually centering their agenda on the gospel.

As a contributor to the 9Marks blog I am rarely criticised by my brothers for being un-American. (Please note the un-American spelling of criticised).

What a strange direction this thread has taken.....

Richard,

Where did that come from? I find it very interesting that those that want "Christians" to be more loving and tolerant and forgiving have a very difficult time with constructive critique. Living in S. California I can testify to the difficulties in attempting to converse w/ a postmodern culture but responding w/ name calling should not be one of them. Present a thoughtful and biblical argument and be satisfied with that. Anything else is like participating in a political rally. We do not need that at this crucial time.

Thanks,

Greg

If the NOOMA videos simply had omissions of gospel content, then they would simply be a great tool for conversation starting. The concern is when they move over to portraying the gospel as "God loves and forgives and lives in everyone. Those who see this are Christians. Those who don't see this live in a different reality of personal hell."

The Emergent church asks great questions and does a great job speaking the language of culture. Unfortunately, their lack of definition gives them little restraint as to where to stop questioning and rethinking. It is good to ask whether or not our mental caricature of hell is correct or not. It begins to leave the Christian camp when we start questioning whether there is a final reckoning at all.

You know, Seeing the direction this thread has taken i am saddened. I think Richard has some good points. Yes his third paragraph is unmerited, but he is correct in saying that the Nooma videos were not designed to be complete, fully accurate, innerant presentations of the gospel. Thats why we have the book of Romans?! But then again, that probably falls short at times. The reviewer has some good points too. Yes the nooma videos fall short of a completely sound, systematic, technically accurate presentation of the gospel. But i think the issues is that it comes across as an attack not on Nooma, but on Rob Bell, which is unmerited if you have no relationship with him. If you did, you wouldn't need to post these reviews, you could sit down with him and find out what he is really thinking. Then go from there. So again. Whats the point? Thats the question you have to ask in regard to the videos and to these reviews. If you are relying on Nooma to inform you about the depths and inner workings of God and his grace then you are in trouble... But maybe, that is why God gave us the Bible?... or even his Holy Spirit?

Gotta love a good theological debate right?

I am not a theological scholar by any means. I'm just a youth director doing what he can to show the love of Christ. This being said, I've shown pretty much every NOOMA video to my youth and I never had an ill word to say about them. Here's my heart: I really don't think these videos or Rob Bell are damaging Christianity as we know it. I know a lot of people freak out if we present Christ in anyway other than life.death.resurrection. and in that order. Some of my youth have been taught and preached at for so long they're numb to teachings of the bible. They zone out every time a verse in the bible is read (which is very scary) Bell offers some new insight and refreshing ideas and presents them in a way that is SO easy to grasp on to. Jesus worked in parables to help the culture understand. If my youth aren't grasping an issue...it's great to have a Nooma video around to help out where I fail. Maybe I'm wrong, and I am a lot, but I think we should encourage and applaud different/new mediums that help express Christian spirituality in a new way. Let's face it: as Christian brothers and sisters we'll probably never agree with everything. However, whether we are arminian or calvinist or what have you...I think we should be lifting each other up more instead of spending time on issues like this that I don't think really matter in the long run. When we get to heaven, God will reveal truth to us and maybe we were right about some issues and maybe we weren't... but I think God's main question will be, "Did you love me? Did you love others?" BAM! There it is. Rob Bell is doing an amazing job sharing truth with others in the ways that he knows how. You disagree with how he does it? That's absolutely fine and expected...but lift up a brother...encourage...LOVE! I know that a lot of people think that their church and beliefs have the most "sound" doctrine...and that's great...but make sure there's love in there too! Sorry about the rant... God's blessings to you all!!!

Ryan, I think you are suffering from common fatigue that centres around my concerns for the Nooma series. As a youth worker as well, I know the frustration that comes from youth becoming calloused to the teachings of the Bible. It is not however our job to find creative ways of convicting them, that is a work of the Holy Spirit.

You said that When we get to heaven God will reveal truth to us. The bible clearly states that it is the word of God, and is truth. Speak from it, and you speak truth into people's lives. Rob has on a few occaisions in particular a message on names and Jacob's wrestling with God effectively compromised scripture to mean whatever he wanted to apply to a point. This is not interpretation, it is fabrication.

The fatigue we as youth worker feel leads to a lack of confidence in the word of God as being sufficient. I urge you to remember that it is.

Josh,

In your comment to Ryan, I have a few questions. Do we know everything there is to know about the Bible? Does the bible explain everything in this world? I ask these questions to ask this one...Isn't God such a large God, unfathomable, that there is sometimes mystery to His ways? Is that part of Josh was getting at? I totally agree that the scriptures are the Word of God and is truth. Speaking truth into peoples live is imperative. The scriptures are also silent about many things. Are we ok with that? How do we deal with those questions? Isn't ok to say we don't know, and that some truth will be revealed to us in Heaven?

Thank you Steve and Josh for your insight! Josh, I have no doubt in my mind that the bible is solid truth, but steve brings up a HUGE point. There are some things that are just straight up ambiguous. We have to be tremendously careful when we get on the verge of saying we understand everything that God wants for our lives... because the bible reveals everything we need. We're NOT God and we DON'T have all the answers and THAT'S what keeps me humble and so close to God. The second ANYONE including Bell, or Piper or Mahaney or McLaren looses the LOVE and focus on Jesus in their ministry and it becomes who's right and pride starts setting in, THAT's where satan gets his foothold and sits back and watches as good intentions become destructive and damaging to Christianity as a whole. As brothers and sisters we need to pour into our brothers and sisters that are leaders and not get so bogged down by petty doctrinal differences. If your heart is getting defensive at what I just said, check it...really check it and see what IS THE MOST GOOD. Christ Christ Christ...always...pure and simple. Love God...Love others. Please don't think that I'm saying everything is fine as long as there is love and Christ and rainbows and butterflies. But my heart does ache every time I read a bash on Bell and his wishy washy views and ways. How is that glorifying God? How is that loving our brother? Accountably is of course necessary. Confront him in private...don't write a blog that hundreds of people read to bring down him and his ministry. Maybe that's not the intention...maybe it's to make people aware and cautious of his Nooma videos...but I read some seriously spiteful and almost hateful things about Bell that I couldn't believe came out of a fellow believers mouth. If we are going to show an unbelieving world the love of a great creator...we need to STOP bickering amongst each other about things that I think are being argued about mainly in pride and "I'm-more-right-than-you" ways. Let's humble ourselves and start lovin' on eachother. Sorry again for the long rant. Let me know what you think...

You know I look at NOOMA's work as a tool. I am a parent and I watch what my kids see and hear. Like wise filter what is available and figure out God wants to say to your groups. If you feel there is problem don't ignore it, or bash it, explain it. Likewise use these powerfully produced videos as a door then YOU PREACH/TEACH what is missing. Don't let anyone else be the final word in the place God has called you to. I do find it funny no one is actively campaigning against the guy down the block not doing anything. Remember "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” We are all on the same team. Keep Up the Faith!

I had another thought here. For as much as we break down the teachings of Rob Bell, how come nobody ever talks about all the amazing things the church he is help pastoring does in the world (yes, the world, not just his own neighborhood). Anyone want to talk about how the Mars Hill XYZ initiative is un-gospel or anti-christ? Last time I checked, God was in favor of a community who is trying to end poverty in the poorest country in the world, trying to make sure every child in their city has a chance to go to school, and doing what they can so that the poorest of the poor in their city can have heat in the winter? Or what about the fact that these guys held a conference last year and gave away all of the profits (over $155,000 BTW) to help fight poverty... how come these things never get mentioned?

Just some thoughts.

Great Discerning Articles about Nooma a much needed comment for Youth Pastors who want to serve their flock.

My thought is that NOOMA has some good illustrations that can help youth leaders sermons, but the Word of God must still be exposed and the Gospel preached, as of primary importance as Paul said in 1 Cor 15:3-4, "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"

Matt todd,

Hi, well thinking on your comment about Mars Hill outreach initiative being unchristian, that would only be true if they don't preach the gospel to those the ministry help, because if those people outreached get their needs satisfied but don't hear the Gospel and died in their sins, they would go to Hell, as simple and plain as that.

Just to let you know that I am not familiar with Mars Hill Outreach Program and i ignore if they preach the Gospel while doing it or not.

But stating that anyone doing outreach without evangelism isn't fruitful for Eternity's Sake and for the full display of the Glory of God, our ultimate goal.

It must be spiritual law booklet.The Nooma videos are great the way they are because they are meant to be used as a conversation starter, not a summary of the entirety of scripture.

Admittedly, Bell does go with the soft sell, but too many people go with an 100% doctrine that anything short of a full-court press of Biblical truth, then you're not telling the truth. What about the standard teaching practices in Sunday Schools around the country on every Sunday? We teach a rosy, "God loves the little children" doctrines that aren't 100% true.

Yes, in a couple places, I feel he is misguided or mistaken, but I don't suspect that he is intentionally telling lies. Those with strict views feel that if you're in that camp, though, you're akin to a demon. And I'm serious about that. (See: http://www.apprising.org/ )

If Rob Bell were just a guy that you bumped to on the street that professed a zeal about his faith, but maybe had some erroneous ideas about scriptures, you possibly try to correct him or, if not given time, pray for the Holy Spirit to provide illumination. But if you're Rob Bell, somehow, it's a defcon 1 alarm and time to alert the world that the anti-Christ is on the prowl.

Yes, teachers of the word are held to higher accountability. But why can't it be that is someone is wrong about their understanding of the Bible, that they can't just be wrong? Why must it be that they are heretics? There are many in the church that have quite different opinions of the doctrine of election. Who is the heretic in these cases and who should be stoned?

Sometimes, it seems as if the Romans really wouldn't need lions today. They just throw offending Christians to other Christians and let the slaughter begin.

And what about the vast majority of their Rob Bell's words and actions? What if they have a good basis in scripture and are Biblically correct? Does that portion of their testimony suddenly become tainted to the point where it is unworthy?

If some of Bell's tenants are that we should live in (Christian) love toward each other, who would have objections with that? Show of hands please. And what about his calls to bring social justice to the world? Anyone in the crowd against that?

If Rob Bell is wrong, don't you have enough faith in the scriptures and God to know that He can handle it? History is full of folks who have been wrong about their interpretations of the Bible. The Bible's truth still stands and God is still up on Heaven.

Yes, we are charged to "rebuke" our brothers when they are wrong, but if you must correct, do it with the love we are directed to do.

Sorry this goes far a field and seems like an apologetic for Rob Bell's ministry (no, I don't attend his church), but all too often, I see Christians taking other Christians down in the defense of "their" truth and not always God's Truth.

--
Randy

I have participated in adult Bible studies using Bell's videos for a few months. Before I ever looked up any reviews of his teaching, I became concerned. In the DVD's, he compels people to rethink who God is, what Jesus expects, etc. Use of scripture is extremely limited in the videos and in the guidebooks. Do we really need to change our view of God--reconsider how we are saved, etc.? The Bible tells us God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Why this desire to re-package the Truth, to turn the message of the Word of God into some comfortable little package. Sure, every Bible study is limited in focus to a degree. But what Bell does is call for everyone to rethink God. Listen more carefully to the words he uses: "I used to think...now I think" (from trees). It is clear that Bell has an agenda. But this world will not be a perfect place until Christ returns. Until then, love others but be sure you are really preaching the True Gospel. One more thing: Bell's "philosophy" encourages questioning, is designed to get people talking, etc. But what happens when you talk about the errors of his teaching? It is assumed you are judgemental, unable to comprehend the "bigness" of Bell's wisdom, etc. You can't have it both ways. Bell and his troops will have to come the True conclusion that there are absolutes. The Bible is the inerrant, infallable Word of God. If you listen to his teachings, or just go to the Mars Hill website, you will learn that Bell doesn't profess to believe this. Be afraid of him; very afraid.

Faith, I think that one of Rob's points (amongst many) is that we're fooling ourselves if we believe that we have a corner on the truth... Throughout history, there have been folks more sincere than you or I, more devout that you or I, and more brilliant than you or I, who have come up with different opinions of what truth is as expressed through the Bible.
Upon acknowledging that fact, I think we're faced with a choice, claim that we're right, and the other person is wrong, or come to believe that God is way bigger than my human understanding of who he is and what he is, as expressed through his Word and the actions of people around us. So we adhere to core truths... orthodox Christianity, the Nicene Creed... but then acknowledge that beyond that core, we can diverge greatly and still be part of the same body... and still be called to love the same folks. Just my two cents... came across this post late in the evening... have a great night/day/whatever!

Lots of talk about Rob Bell . . . Here's a good sum up of his/his church's beliefs.

http://www.marshill.org/pdf/narrativeTheology.pdf

Why do we think and try to improve upon the way the gospel is modeled in Acts? We all want people to be honest with us in any dealings that someone may have with us and so why shouldn't we be honest with nonbelievers about the Absolute Truth that is Jesus Christ and Salvation?

I have used several of Rob Bell's NOOMA video's and feel they are right on. Rob does a great job at getting the message across so the teens, and adults, can understand. His style is not at the traditional suit and tie preachers and he tells it like it is.

I appreciate all the input from everyone. Thank-you. This is my observation. I believe in such a time as this that we need to be very cautious as to what we allow ourselves to "feed" on or "snack" on. I am a parent of five and am here to get informative insight on Rob Bell and his teaching.I have not heard any "bashing" as some would suppose others were doing but rather they have been respectful in thier review. We do need to be very careful and we must go back to the Word of God in full. As for me, we will choose not to be apart of Rob Bell's teachings. Remember to be watchful and in prayer. Again, thanks for eveyones input.....

If we are totally honest with one another, many spend much more time worrying about things like this than they do actually living out the things written in God's Word. I have attended Rob Bell's tour and I have been to 9 Marks T4G conference, and let me tell you honestly, both have "holes" in their theology. But they would probably both think the same way about me. In Phil 1 Paul talks about people preaching the Gospel and rejoicing in it. Even if they are preaching for the wrong reasons. While Rob Bell teaches in a different way and usually doesn't address the topic of hell, pretty much everything he teaches points to one person....Jesus. It is all about Jesus. For those of you that say his teaching is man-centered, I can understand where that comes from but respectfully disagree. I would encourage you to listen to what he preaches to his church community. But bottom line..Rob Bell preaches Jesus is the only way to be reconciled.
9 Marks and the reformed church also teach that Jesus is the way. But they teach it differently in that man has absolutely no good, nor no choice in salvation. God has chosen who will be in heaven and who will not. If you are not chosen...sorry, you wouldn't have wanted to be chosen even if you had a choice. This doctrine has its holes as well. Both Bell's and Dever's teaching can be defended in Scripture. The problem is we take the attitude that if you don't interpret a passage they way I interpret it....then your a heretic. This is not the attitude of Paul in Scripture. I personally know people who have come from both Capitol Hill and Mars Hill, and both love God to the fullest. Both have a wonderful foundation in Scripture, and both live out the love of God everyday. Both will attribute much of what they believe to their church communities.
I would rather take the road of Paul and say...."What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." (Phil 1:18)

9 Marks doesn't have all theology or doctrine correct. Rob Bell doesn't have all theology or doctrine correct. I definitely don't have all theology and doctrine correct, but both Bell and Dever both search the Scriptures to find truth and obediently teach the truth they find to others. They both proclaim Jesus...and for that I rejoice!

For those who don't think Rob Bell believes in salvation or the Gospel, I just listen to a sermon delivered by him where he clearly presents the Gospel:
"perhaps you are here today and you have never met this Jesus. My understanding is that we are saved when we give up the game of ever trying to be good enough. So it involves confession...its repentance, I want to live for Christ, not for myself. Its opening yourself up to grace, to the gift, a free gift of love expressed to us in Christ through God's saving sacrificial power and love."

I think that is pretty clear.

Here is the link to the message:
http://www.marshill.org/teaching/seperatedownload.php?filename=030208.mp3

I've come very late to this debate after being shown three DVDs, two Noomas and the much longer presentation called "Everything's Spiritual." In sharing my very positive first impressions with a fellow student volunteer, I heard there was a controversy... I gave up on the assiduous interest first aroused by the Emergent-C crowd several years ago, becoming simply tired of its vigorous "Inner Ring" pumping of plethora of esoterica in the guise of reaching the tribal post-moderns. But I have spent some months just thinking about my first impression of Rob Bell, and praying more after seeing the major dose I got on December 18th. His delivery is phenomenally fluent considering the amount of facts he has marshalled for his argument, in "Everything's Spiritual." Now that I have considered those impressions in light of the commentaries and posts-above I've been glancing at this morning, I can return to ask a question that I wonder has anyone else asked. I beg to be forgiven if I've blown right by this, but -- is it true that everything's spiritual? I don't think a basic knowledge of Biblical Christianity can sustain a yes to that. Q.E.D.
What then is going on with Rob Bell's phenomenal delivery? I suggest it's self-hypnosis, and that other gnostic approaches to the finest of today's theology will certainly result in more attractive presentations of equally dubious edification.