The gods aren’t angry
by Jim ~ November 6th, 2007. Tags: culture, emergent, gospel, reviews, rob_bell, Theology.Last night Lori and I were in Chicago at the Vic Theatre to catch the first night of Rob Bell’s “The gods Aren’t Angry” speaking tour.
The crowd of about 500 people - in the sold out theatre - was buzzed and waited excitedly for an hour before Bell took the stage. As I waited, and all throughout the evening, I wondered how many present were in some way associated with a community of faith and how many were just curious seekers. I don’t have an answer to that question, but I sure would be curious to know.
Bell is a masterful storyteller who adeptly relates the truths of the gospel in fresh and compelling ways by weaving together the scriptures, anthropology, theology, and tales of contemporary experience. This is not a “the bible says and you must believe” presentation, instead it is a “what do we know from our human experience and how does the bible and our faith relate to that” presentation.
Bell starts out by explaining how sacrificial systems arose within human cultures as a way to appease the forces of nature (the gods) that rule life. He then explores the innovative thoughts and ideas of early Judaism which revise and challenge the sacrificial systems of the surrounding cultures with an understanding of a God who could be known personally.
Bell then explores the New Testament scriptures, namely the book of Hebrews, to explain how Jesus does away once and for all with the entire sacrificial system. One key point is that the sacrifices were never for God in the first place, but for us, as an appeasement of our consciences.
The real challenge that Bell presents is the way, in spite of all the advances of modern society, that we still go around trying to appease the gods, even the Christian God, with endless sacrifices. He also shows how our modern day rituals mimic the basic rituals of primitive religious systems. Young girls cut themselves for attention, much as the priests of Baal cut themselves. A young man ’sacrifices’ by working himself to the bones so that he can appease the felt demands of his in-laws to provide a certain level of wealth for his wife.
Bell wrapped up his talk by saying the way of Christ is a way of freedom, one in which we no longer need sacrifice and ritual to earn or receive God’s favor. Through Christ, God’s favor is already there; our job is to simply live into it and to appropriate the life giving rituals and practices that will help us to do that.
For those who think emergent expressions of faith are just ‘theology light,’ I’d argue that Bell’s talk was a fresh presentation of the ‘reformed’ faith through and through. If people in our culture are going to understand the gospel, it’s got to be presented in ways that are relevant and compelling, and from my vantage point I think Rob Bell did just that last night.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:46 am
thanks for the great notes!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:51 am
[...] from The God’s Aren’t Angry Tour here and here Conversation with Rob Bell nov/2007 Wittenburg Door interview with Rob Bell Sept/2007 The Ooze [...]
November 8th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Thanks for the nice summation of Rob’s talk. He has responded to my email and I’ll eventually post some more from our conversation.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:57 am
We went to see Rob in Seattle last night. I was not only blown away by what he said, but how he uses space on the stage. At times I found myself watching how he moved…it was brilliant, encouraging, and freeing. Amazed how to get to the end he really had to retell The Story…reaffirms for me the importance of understanding the Bible as story.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Beim, Yes, Bell is quite a communicator.
It was indeed fascinating as you suggest to watch his movement and they way he accentuate points working and speaking around the altar.
As a preacher I have a bit to learn from him!
November 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
[...] Presbyterian Pastor Jim Bonewald, also known as The Church Geek, has written up what I think is a very good summary of what Bell spoke about, so I don’t have to rehash that here. If you’re interested, [...]
November 13th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Bell is a great communicator, and I enjoyed “the god’s aren’t angry tour” in Denver a week ago. However, here is what I wonder, what happens now? This was simply one guy talking and then everyone leaving… Any insights on what the goal and hopes of the outcome of this tour is?… check out http://www.fromthefield.us
November 17th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
[...] a few minutes I put down my pen and paper and just listen. So I ripped of some notes from here and here. If you want to get a low quality mp3 recording check out this link. Even though it is fuzzy it is [...]
December 5th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Thank you for your summary! I took a group of 30 teenagers, all of whom have experienced the Nooma DVDs…I think parts of his presentation might have been a little difficult for them to understand so your summary will help me to help them apply it!
December 5th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I was able to attend Rob’s lecture in Philadelphia. I did a review and would be interested in your thoughts.
Blessings,
Art.
http://aboulet.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/rob-bell-the-gods-arent-angry/
April 29th, 2008 at 4:40 am
[...] Out of Ur article titled Heresy on Tour? 2007 Notes from The God’s Aren’t Angry Tour here, here and here. Conversation with Rob Bell nov/2007 Wittenburg Door interview with Rob Bell Sept/2007 The [...]
June 14th, 2008 at 6:55 am
God IS angry at sin. And the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Rob Bell is a false teacher who tickles the ears of modern, university educated people who sit in theatre seats with eager hearts to learn that they have discovered what primitive man never knew. That God does not care about their sins and transgressions, and they do not need to repent, but simply to understand a lie. Their God is but an idol that cannot do anything. Like a father who’s children burned down the house while he was away on business, and when he returns he cannot punish them because in fact he is no more than a stone statue. Rob Bell’s God is an idol.