Rob Bell’s recently released book, What is the Bible?, is one of the most interesting books I have read in some time on the Bible for those who have looked back again at the Bible or who might actually be looking at it for the first time. Neither is odd in contemporary American culture. In that sense, he has updated the work of Marcus Borg. I have followed the career of Rob Bell since I heard some of his sermons from a Michigan Church where he was a pastor and from the NOOMA Series which to my mind is unparalleled in its ability to address challenging theological issues with grace, nonchalance, and wisdom. The same somewhat funky style is found in his latest work, and that is indeed important to the means of communication.
That same spirit is present in What is the Bible? Rob Bell could certainly be labelled a “seeker.” In conservative circles that would not necessarily be a compliment. For Bell, it is actually the space from which he writes and the space from which he hopes to engage his reading audience. This new books shows his wide reading in biblical scholarship and in theology, and it also shows his own engagement with the text—his own wrestling with meaning in the text. Some of his topics include how to understand Noah, Abraham, Jonah, violence, miracles, methods of interpretation, etc. His handling of the story of the woman taken in the act of adultery is exemplary in analysis. His use and insistence of looking at Jesus through Jewish eyes and perspectives of Jesus’ era provide some new clues for analysis. New Testament scholars have been using the insights on contemporary Judaism (Second Temple Period) since the work of E.P. Sanders.
The person who critiques his book should likely be one who finds direct assistance in his work. That means that a seminary professor or professor of religious studies is not his audience. A seminary professor of professor of religious studies can, however, marvel at the transformation through which Bell has gone through his career. The book consists of 43 chapters, most of which an average person could reading with reflection in 10 minutes each. The style is oriented toward thinking—the stream of consciousness—but also with a desire to find a wholeness through reflection. His topics include well-known stories from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament. In the final section, he includes some commentary and recognition of what it means to interpret texts. What I found most interesting is that his questions regarding why the community would have preserved these stories and what the stories meant in the context of community drive his analysis. Anyone who has ever taken an academically oriented course in biblical studies knows that context, context, context is vital to understanding. Bell shows that aspect well.
Many people have been hurt by biblical interpretations within conservative religious communities. in particular. Bell is keenly aware of that challenge. Bell seeks not to condemn that problem, but to suggest again that people give the Biblical text a fresh look. Some conservative evangelical types “wrote off” Bell in his last book. They might want to look at this book. What is the Bible? provides not only a number of very powerful readings of texts, but it also suggests a way of going forward for those interested in reclaiming the biblical text after narrow readings have been rejected, and it suggests some lines of departure for those who simply regarded these texts as antique and barbaric.
Bell's book represents an important way forward for those who have no background in biblical studies. He knows how to pique curiosity. He also knows how to follow up with valuable reading suggestions.
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Rob's internal conflicts sabotage his intent
I just finished this ridiculous book. At this point in my journey, I am probably even MORE open (heretic) and theologically loose than Bell, but it was still painful seeing his mind try to hold two conflicting views at the same time. He cannot fully release his need for the Bible to be inspired and true, yet he tries SO HARD to work around the passages that show it isn't. When you've built your fame and career on something, you'd rather lie into the mirror every day than admit the whole thing was a lie. He still wants to play church, he misses the perks, but he also wants something deeper. Two conflicting views. The end result is, this book is weak and awkward.
Top reviews from other countries
Cristina Zapata
Si eres nuevo leyendo la biblia y quieres saber que estás leyendo
Reviewed in Mexico on November 11, 2019Ione Brandão Vaz
A revolutinary way to read the Bible
Reviewed in Brazil on May 8, 2018
Paul Hazelden
It does what it says on the cover
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2020