I wanted to like this, and there were a few passages that resonated with me, but overall, this just didn't work for me. It felt vague and abstract, and the organization and structure of the book didn't help to make it more coherent. The narrative tended to drift and meander, rather than building to anything substantial. One thing I did take away, which I appreciate very much, is that doubts and a questioning spirit are very much a part of the faith journey. ( )

Rob Bell writes with such poetry and clarity, that I will likely always remember that "God is with us, for us and ahead of us," which are the main points (and some of the chapter titles). And I agree - important ideas about God that I hope to remember and embody, allowing those head ideas to descend into the heart. I wish conservative folks could hear him and the message he brings because it is important. Sadly, he has become such a polarizing figure that many refuse to hear a single word he says, regardless of any truth he touches on.

The introductory chapter "both" is fantastic. When we talk about God, so often we are pulled in contradictory ways: God is both near and far, known and unknown, something we can talk endlessly about and more mysterious than ever. Here Bell calls us to embrace the paradoxes of God and to hold our convictions in humility. There are beliefs we would die for and yet could also say "I could be wrong."

The other chapter I loved was "with." Sometimes we have experiences that a transcendent, sublime, out-of-this-world - maybe a meal, or a live performance, climbing a mountain, holding a baby - experiences that make us aware of something more. It is what it is, but it is also something more. He gave examples of swimming up on a whale while surfing, holding a baby's hand, and having a conversation with a friend going through divorce. God is with us always calling us to deeper experiences of life. Beautiful chapter - poetic, inspiring, rich. Life is full of depth and fullness and it's all a gift from the God who is with us.

Bell does not write for evangelicals or everyday "church-goers," and it's likely what he says may frustrate a lot of conservative people. Rather he is appealing to the "unchurched" or folks that have left the church, yet still seek spirituality. To me he sounds similar to Friedrich Schleiermacher, so on a conceptual level I wished he started with scripture rather than anthropology. In other words, liberal rather than post-liberal.

Recommended. Definitely gives some starting ideas for how to think about God. ( )

Interesting perspective. Lacks a strong end.

This book captivated me at first. It had a good premise and I got into it knowing that the author and I would not meet eye to eye in many theological aspects... and that’s fine.

His central points about God being WITH, FOR, and AHEAD of us are on point, provided a new perspective on many things for me and were a blast to read and meditate upon.

His discourse on being OPEN is interesting, smart, and something one could get behind.

But the final pages are just not driving it home for me. It is one thing to see God in everything and another thing entirely to say that everything is holy without considering that God did make distinctions between the holy and the profane. The prophet Ezekiel said that one of the problems Israel’s priesthood exhibited was that they made no difference between the two (Ez. 22:26).

I appreciate the book for what it is, a seemingly honest exposition of the author’s view on God. At some points it does present a God I can find in being revealed in the Bible, and don’t get me wrong... when he gets it right he gets it right good. At some points it simply feels like new age feel-good pantheistic cotton candy being crammed down my throat... somewhat interesting and fun (Bell’s skills as a communicator can’t be denied) but still as close to Jesus’ gospel as those energy crystals being sold in Sedona, AZ or those “balance keeping” wristbands we were sold at the mall.

( )

There is plenty to chew on in this book but I do have to say it is probably not as good as "Love Wins." Still there is food for reflection and I especially enjoyed the sections where he marries spiritual understandings to quantum physics. He is not the first theologian I have read who has broached this subject and favorably compared understandings of quantum physics to a deeper understanding of God and creation but he is probably the most readable. Definitely worth a read. ( )

This is a good resource if you're looking for thought provoking ideas. Bell writes convincingly for a more open, progressive Christian movement, and he excels at telling stories with surprising metaphors and images. He has a habit of funny sounding lists ... which is entertaining until it gets old. If he put that creative energy into applying the open ideas about God he so passionately advocates for in the first half or so of the book to changing evangelical dogma, the book would be more useful. His tone about God is so refreshing and inclusive, but his biblical exegesis is run-of-the-mill-wanna-be-progressive-pastor-talk, lacking fresh ideas. This might be a good book to help bridge the gap for someone just emerging from a fundamentalist worldview, as it stays relatively uncontroversial; only suggesting ideas, not making any conclusions. The progressive Christian community needs authors and pastors who will take this inclusive and attractive talk about God which Bell effectively delivers, and help progressive believers practically apply those philosophies to the bible and faith practice. They can't be so separate or different in tone ... otherwise, the good news that Jesus brought about the kingdom of God will cease to be taught, believed, and applied. ( )