One of our readers comments

This comment that I just received concerning Rob Bell is well worth repeating.
I have to echo this dear sister in the Lords concern.
And I repeat where is the pastors of our churches discernment?
Its flown out the window.
Fortunately the church I serve in now has a discerning pastor who is warning about the threat to our youth in the form of the Emergent church.
Unfortunately the church I just left Upper Valley Community church here in Piqua is asleep at the wheel and has traded a positive message in for the sake of numbers.
Sorry folks these times are dangerous and people need to be warned.
Seeker Sensitive has built our churches 500-5000 wide, but the Christians in these churches are 1 inch deep.
I know thats harsh but its also a true statement and I stand by it.
Here is one of our readers comments-



Tim,
I have seen and heard Rob Bell through many videos and what I refer to as "pro Bell" writings as well as those who are seeing the red flags (like yourself). I have had red flags waving about Bell for a long time now. In fact, we are no longer at the church where we fellowshipped for seven years, in part, due to Rob Bell and Nooma. (Nooma is the name of his video series.)

After much prayer and investigation, we approached our pastor and youth pastor about the concerns we had with some of Bell's theology and the things he was instucting and encouraging. For example, "breathing out sin" and "Christian yoga", just to name two. Believe me, it is way bigger than that. We were told that there was nothing wrong with Rob Bell or his ministry and that we were being fundamental and rigid. At the same time, our pastor was encouraging our church body to link up with a church in our community that performs same-sex marriages and stands with Planned Parenthood, because they have a food distrubution during the holidays. Our youth wanted to put together a basket (within the youth group) for a family in our prayer-focus, but the pastor took it out of their hands and insisted that we would join this church and work with them in "unity" to "feed the hungry". We were saddened, surprised and shocked...all at the same time. It's a really long story. Our concerns were flushed over and over while we tried to communicate with both pastors. The main focus became uniting with this other church on a thread of commonality...feeding the hungry, or "getting food to hungry people".

So, what does all this have to do with Rob Bell? I believe our story is an example of how "the unity" of faith is exploited and misrepresented. Rob Bell is just a part of the picture. There is a defining line being drawn down the middle of the church. Folks are being asked to leave their churches if they don't get on the band wagon with the Emergent Movement. Some get pressured other ways. If they remian silent about their concerns, they can stay. If they change their minds, they can stay. Sadly, the watchmen are either sleeping, decieved or afraid of getting booted out.

Now, back to Rob Bell. These are simple questions; Why would a Christian minister encourage kids to perform yoga when God's Word denounces these types of avenues to try to get closer to Him? (Listen to his "Breathe" sermon.) If this doesn't give you a caution, I don't know what would. Would it not be better to lead a person down the road of repentance than to lead them to believe that they can breathe out their sin and breathe in forgiveness? This may sound trivial and unimportant to many, but it is vital to the soul. And speaking of soul; I think of what is waiting for the soul who "causes one of these to stumble" and pray that children will be protected from Bells twisted theology and his efforts to turn ancient practices into "get closer to God disciplines". These things are just a drop in the bucket. And it isn't just Bell. Doug Pagitt, Brian McClaren and even Rick Warren are moving in the "unity at any cost" direction. The list is quite long, but these are just a few high profile names.

Our family is very well established in our community (spiritually, personally and in business) and it was no secret that we served our Father inside our church and outside. My husband sat on the church council, drove one of the trailers and was a key person in the set-up and tear-down (portable church meeting in public school). He was also the greeter, an usher, filling in where needed. I was part of the prayer ministry team, connected with lots of people and also filled in at times. We are also watchmen. The Lord has shown us for a few years, what was coming. I still remember the vision He gave me of dogs coming right into the church...appearing friendly...whipping the children with their tails...people having conversations and eating and drinking and not paying attention...all the while the children are being whipped and also licked in their faces, to the point of suffocation. Some were still in their carseats sitting on the floor. The parents maintained that the dogs were friendly and I should stop making a big deal of it. The licking, to them, was friendly and my concerns were unwarranted. I saw the dogs' teeth and tongues and their whipping tails. It was horrifying. And right in the church!

That may have been too much information for you and your readers, but I believe it was one of many warnings that the Lord gave me. By the way, I confronted one of the dogs and it tried to intimidate me with it's teeth and loud bark. I punched it square in the mouth and my hand went in and was protected from any injury. I knew this to be the Lord's protection and that I had done the right thing. I see now, that I could have spent more time praying for the protection of our little church. I did share the vision with the pastor and a few others, but it was shined-on (disregarded) and not talked about. No skin off my nose, but has the church thumbed it's nose at God's warnings?

God is speaking to the watchmen in His church. Is the church throwing the watchmen as well as the children to the dogs?

I don't know if I will write or comment here again, but I do know that I will continue to pray for the watchmen and for the lost. Check everything out folks...and listen to the Holy Spirit..listen, listen, listen and then obey. Don't fall into deception in these days. Wide is the road to destruction so if you are in the mainstream you should be even more diligent to check yourself, your theology; not just for your sake, but for those who may follow you to where you are going.

A Sister in Christ