Rob Bell is one of the hottest names in contemporary evangelical life. He is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but is better known for his books, [...]]]> This is part one of an interview of Rob Bell found on boston.com (the link is below). My comments are in bold.

Rob Bell is one of the hottest names in contemporary evangelical life. He is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but is better known for his books, and especially, for his road show, which combines preaching with performance art, and is much-talked among folks trying to discern what’s next for American evangelicalism. He is currently touring in conjunction with a book, “Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering,’’ and last weekend he appeared at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston. I caught up with Bell by telephone in Ottawa to ask him about what he’s up to.

Q: What does it mean to you to be an evangelical?
A: I take issue with the word to a certain degree, so I make a distinction between a capital ‘E’ and a small ‘e.’ I was in the Caribbean in 2004, watching the election returns with a group of friends, and when Fox News, in a state of delirious joy, announced that evangelicals had helped sway the election, I realized, this word has really been hijacked. I find the word troubling, because it has come in America to mean politically to the right, almost, at times, anti-intellectual. For many, the word has nothing to do with a spiritual context. Comment: The word “evangelical” comes from the root word “evangel” which means “the gospel.” From the things I have read about Rob Bell and by Rob Bell, the word “evangelical” does not apply to him.What is his motivation in not giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Q: OK, how would you describe what it is that you believe?
A: I embrace the term evangelical, if by that we mean a belief that we together can actually work for change in the world, caring for the environment, extending to the poor generosity and kindness, a hopeful outlook. That’s a beautiful sort of thing. Comment: Rob Bell is looking to change the world, clean up the earth, and extend kindness to the poor — all are worthy causes, but not a single one of them will do any good at the Great White Throne Judgment of Christ. Where is the gospel of Jesus Christ is Rob Bell’s answer? Where is the mention of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? THAT is what being evangelical is suppose to be about!

Q: Is religion a part of that?
A: At the heart of the Christian story is resurrection, the belief that this word is good, and that, as a follower of Jesus, a belief that God hasn’t abandoned the world, but is actively at work in the world. Even in the midst of what can look like despair and destruction there is a new creation present. Comment: I do not know if the phrase is “…this word is good…” or “…this world is good.” To me, the context is that it is a typo and Rob Bell is stating that this world is good. God has not abandoned the world and is at work, but He is not creating anything new. Instead, this world is winding down and breaking down and will continue to do so until the end of the Tribulation period.

Q: You’re sometimes described as an evangelical rock star, and portrayed as a kind of evangelical celebrity. What do you make of that?
A: It’s a little unnerving, to say the least. Celebrity seems totally at odds with authentic community and honest, real sorts of relationships. Comment: Rob Bell has over 41,000 friends on Facebook. I wonder who confirms them all.

Q: But you come out of the rock world?
A: I was in a band. Some friends and I had a band. We were convinced we were the next great saviors of rock music. Comment: Rock ‘n roll music does not need saving, it needs to be cast away. That also includes Christian rock ‘n roll.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/09/rob_bell.html