but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15, NASB)

In a June 2006 article about the Elvis of Emergent Rob Bell in the Chicago Sun Times, entitled “The Next Billy Graham,” religion reporter Cathleen Falsani points out that “Bell’s detractors have accused him of championing a postmodern fad, of relativizing Scripture, of elevating form above substance.”

She then quotes him: “When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is in question, actually it’s their social, economic and political system that has been built in the name of Jesus that’s being threatened,” Bell says. “Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism is somebody who’s created a facade that’s not working.”

What the blind cannot see through Bell’s statement here is that this is really a non-answer based upon his own personal postmodern presuppositions. Bell offers no evidence to support his theory, he simply says this is how it is for his growing pomo “amen” corner. And O how quickly the Emergent will make an abrupt about-face when someone like myself makes an opposing statement, stamp their foot and whine, “But that’s just your opinion!”

Indeed, but isn’t this what Rob Bell himself has offered above? You see I can just as easily turn this around and tell him: “When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is not as important as relating to this culture, actually it’s their social, economic and political system built around their pet causes which they have now attached to Jesus that’s being threatened. Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism of the historic orthodox Christian faith is somebody who’s simply created an Emergent hip facade that’s really not Christian.”

This is why we need to have God’s Word in the Bible as the objective standard of absolute Truth. And then Bell goes on: “But I love everybody and you’re next!” he says, giggling. “That’s how I respond to criticism.” Well, I have some news for you Rob you had better start coming up with something of more substance to say because the Lord is already beginning to help people to see through the relativism and neo-liberalism inherent within the corrupt theology of emerging Hollow Men who know not the Lord and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:6-7)