Tommy Mann

I’ve never wanted an author to be so right. I’ve never seen an author be so wrong. First, before we get into Bell’s teachings on hell that are at the center of this controversial new book, I want to point out some flaws in his thinking. On page 10 Bell is busy criticizing the evangelism methods that some Christians employ, and he says that the Bible never tells people to have a personal relationship with Jesus; Jesus didn’t say that, he points out, nor did Paul, Peter, John, James, or the woman who wrote Hebrews. We do not know who wrote Hebrews. Many believe it was Paul, others, Barnabas. I have heard theories and opinions, but to matter-of-factly attribute the book to a woman like we know who wrote it is wrong. This might not seem like a big deal, but it flies in the face of the premise of his book, that we don’t know anything. On the opening page he blasts someone for asserting that Gandhi is in hell. His response: “He is? We have confirmation of this? Somebody knows this? W

Are there really no righteous people? I have heard many times that we are not to call anyone righteous, for, as Romans 3:10 clearly tells us, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Really? None righteous ? What about my grandmother, my Sunday school teacher, or missionaries? Are there really none righteous? Let’s see what the Bible says on the subject. Matthew 10:41 acknowledges the fact that righteous people do exist. This verse says, “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward (Matthew 13:17 speaks further of these righteous men).” If there are none righteous, then how do we account for these righteous men? Lest you think this passage in Matthew is speaking generally or figuratively, let me point out that II Peter 2:8 refers to Lot as being a righteous man. He was a real, righteous man. Not to mention that half of