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Faith

Which Famed Christian Pastor Just Issued This Shocking Gay Marriage Endorsement?

Mar. 19, 2013 7:56am Billy Hallowell

Controversial faith leader Rob Bell spoke over the weekend at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Calif., where the former pastor openly endorsed gay marriage. When asked about the controversial issue by The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw, who was moderating the event, he offered up a clear and concise response – one that will serve as a surprise to many conservative evangelicals.

“Yes, I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love,” he said, going on to get more specific. “Whether it’s a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man — and I think the ship has sailed and I think the church needs to just — this is the world we’re living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are.”

You can listen to his endorsement at the 42:30 mark in this podcast.

Rob Bell signs copies of his new book “What We Talk About When We Talk About God” for Rebecca Ward, Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Schuler Books and Music on 28th street in Grand Rapids, Mich. Credit: AP

Bell also addressed the political association that is generally attached to American Christians. Rather than embracing the notion that most believers are conservative in nature, he said that dynamic no longer holds true.

“I think we are witnessing the death of a particular subculture that doesn’t work. I think there is a very narrow, politically intertwined, culturally ghettoized, Evangelical subculture that was told ‘we’re gonna change the thing’ and they haven’t,” Bell said. “And they actually have turned away lots of people. And i think that when you’re in a part of a subculture that is dying, you make a lot more noise because it’s very painful. You sort of die or you adapt.”

The pastor and author went on to say that some of the methods that Christians have used to discuss God have not been inclusive and have done little to bring people into the fold. He even called some policies that Christians have embraced “destructive” and he called for believers to “repent.”

Credit: YouTube

News of Bell’s gay marriage endorsement was reported on Greg Carey’s HuffPo blog. Carey is a professor of New Testament studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary. In writing about Bell’s shocking claim, he said, “To my knowledge, Bell’s interview marks the first time that he has openly supported marriage equality and perhaps the first time he has definitively separated himself from politically conservative evangelicalism.”

This won’t be the first time that the pastor makes headlines, though. In March 2011, TheBlaze first covered Bell’s questioning of hell. In September of that same year, Bell announced that he was stepping down from his pastoral position at Mars Hill Church in Grandville, Mich.

The announcement about Bell’s gay marriage views comes as Hillary Clinton made a similar public proclamation on Monday. In January, Steve Chalke, senior pastor at Oasis Church in the UK, also endorsed same-sex marriage, sending shock-waves through the evangelical community.

(H/T: Greg Carey’s HuffPo Blog)

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Comments (547)

FaithfulFriend
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:21am
Hey Belle, you gotta gnash those teeth at the disco inferno. So why not just stand for truth instead and be persecuted for it?

Answer: Because that’s what cowards do.

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JohnJoseph
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:19am
The acronym “RINO” means “Republican in Name Only”. Bell is a “CINO” – “Christian in Name Only”. On the authority of God’s Word – Bell cannot be a true “Christian”. “Christian” means: Christ-like and all you have to know are three words spoken from Jesus that will tell you what He felt about Sodom (Sodomites). Those three words “Remember Lot’s Wife”! What we are to remember about Lot’s wife is how she disobeyed God and looked back because she loved the sin of Sodom more than she loved her husband, her daughters, and most importantly God! The sin of Sodom was wicked in God’s eyes and also in Jesus’ eyes. You notice that I didn’t call “Bell” by his title because he is not only a “CINO” he is also a “PINO”! Here is warning from God about Bell and others like him: 1 Timothy 4:1–Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; – Bell is teaching “doctrines of devils”!

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- snooop1e
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 7:43pm
  @JOHNJOSEPH – Jesus also taught that any man who divorces his wife and remarries commits adultery but virtually all Evangelical/Protestant faiths allow divorce and remarriage. Evangelicals believe that ALL sin is the same in Gods eyes so I ask you, what is the difference between homosexual sins and heterosexual sins (divorce and remarriage which is Adultery) and why do you easily accept one form of sin but not the other? Why is Jesus once for all sacrifice on the cross sufficient to cover your sin of judging a fellow Christian who claims Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior but Jesus sacrifice on the cross is not sufficient to cover Rob Bells sin of accepting gay marriage? Is Rob Bells sin WORSE than your sin? Also, if Rob Bell was Once Saved Always Saved at the moment he confessed Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior why is he now not saved? What else is necessary for Rob Bell to have eternal life once he accepts Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior?
  
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Kara_ite
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:17am
I find myself looking fondly to a time back in the past where mankind had just become so depraved that God had to flood the entire planet to get rid of the depravity. He started over with just a handful of humans and animals. It seems to me that this bunch of humanity has gotten to that point.

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Tom K
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:13am
Rob Bell – never heard of you, but you and others like you are the absolute enemy of the Bible Believing Christian Church. Marriage is clearly defined in God’s Holy word as between one man and one woman. NO ” fence sitters ” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you are luke warm, God will spew you out of His mouth. This is just more worldly evil out of San Francisco.

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- snooop1e
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 7:52pm
  @TOMK – Marriage is also defined by Jesus as being for life. Jesus was very clear that if a man divorces his wife and marries another they are both committing adultery and living in sin but Evangelicals/Protestants allow divorce and remarriage and have no problem with “Christians” living in the sin of adultery, why is that? Is the sin of Homosexuality a WORSE sin than Adultery? Why are Evangelicals/Protestants silent regarding divorce and remarriage when Jesus was very clear that those who divorce and remarry are committing Adultery? If you are really honest with yourself Rob Bell is actually holding to the purest form of FAITH ALONE and ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED. While the Bible teaches that we are not saved by Faith Alone (James 2:24) I have to give Rob Bell credit for not being a hypocrite, he really is teaching and believing Martin Luthers doctrines of Sola Fide and Eternal Security. Martin Luther said to sin and sin boldly and even if a Christian commits rape and murder a thousand times in a single day he cannot lose his salvation. Rob Bell is simply continuing in the PURE Protestant/Evangelical tradition.
  
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ShootStraight
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:10am
He is correct about one thing. The ship has sailed and God was on it. He has left the wretched to fend for themselves. Homosexuality is a choice; a perverted, immoral choice. Throughout the history of man, any society that has accepted immorality as the norm has fallen into extinction. We will be no different. We are already on the brink of financial and social collapse.

Homosexuality is an illicit lust forbidden by God. He said to His people of Israel, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). In these passages homosexuality is condemned as a prime example of sin, a sexual perversion. The Christian can neither alter God’s viewpoint nor depart from it.

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gigi56
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:10am
To call Rob Bell a Christian is a mistake. He is a wolf in sheeps clothing and is leading young people and many others down the road to distruction. FALSE prophet !!! I read a couple of his books a few years ago when a relative in Oregon told me about him. His ideas are completely off the truth of Gods Word. I believe God holds pastors to a higher standard and will judge him harder for leading people down this wrong road. BE AWARE of Rod Bell and many others like him.

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china clipper
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:07am
He has arrogant contempt for Christians and their morals.

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SquareHead
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:05am
Watch this to see what the Bible says about homos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ICTsqE4Fjs

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DanMarc
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:04am
Following the apostate purveyors of the the new age ‘Christian’ doctrine, we can all rip yet another unsuitable moral section out of our Bible : The Apostle Paul’s epistle to the: Romans, Chapter 1 : 20-32.
Eventually, the bible will be small enough to get some use as a drink coaster – rather than as it is now – scripture.

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shamar
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:58am
BELL…..?….BaaL…?

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- gigi56
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:10am
  Yes, so true…
  
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THERAPTURCOMES
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:54am
That man be no Christian but is a servant of satan. God is more than clear as to whats going to happen to homosexuals in Jude 6-7. Jude 6-7 is a direct link to Genesis 6:1-2 & Sodom and Gomorrah. Seekers of strange flesh are going to be thrown alive into the eternal lake of fire

The resurrection/rapture is almost here http://youtu.be/CBsYDhNxFlU

There is only one way to be saved and that is through faith UPON Christ

Romans 10:9-10

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Cor 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

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- snooop1e
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 9:43pm
  @THERAPTURECOMES – You wrote “There is only one way to be saved and that is through faith UPON Christ” and then you go on to declare that Rob Bell a man who confesses Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior is not a “true Christian”, what else is necessary other than faith upon Christ for Rob Bell to be saved? Is FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ sufficient? Why is Rob Bell’s faith in Jesus Christ not sufficient to cover over his sin of approving of gay marriage but your faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover over your sin of judging Rob Bell? Please answer the question, why is Rob Bells acceptance of Jesus Christ not sufficient to cover all of his sins but yours is? Is it YOUR faith that SAVES you or Jesus once for all sacrifice on the cross?
  
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Gatekeeper
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:48am
Sure seems like the gates of hell prevailed against that church. I know one that it will never prevail against that is the pillar of truth. Feel free to give up your assumptions about the Catholic Church and actually learn what it teaches!

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nonofmybiznez
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:47am
This man is no man of God. You cannot change God’s teachings and rules to suit the situation and the day. We are to love homosexuals as we love ourselves. Just not their behavior. I have gay friends and I don’t condone their behavior. That is between them and God. It is not for me to judge.

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- snooop1e
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 9:54pm
  @NONOFMYBIZNEZ – You wrote that Rob Bell is no man of God and that you cannot change Gods teachings. To this I ask you the same thing I have asked all of the other Evangelicals/Protestants in this forum. Rob Bell confesses Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior, aside from confessing Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior what else must Rob Bell do to have eternal life? Is it YOUR faith that saves you? Is it your adherence to right doctrine that saves you? Or is it Jesus once for all sacrifice on the cross that saves you? Why are your sins covered by Jesus Christ death on the cross but Rob Bells are not? Is Rob Bells sin of accepting gay marriage a WORSE sin than your sin of judging Rob Bell? Is Jesus death on the cross not sufficient to cover Rob Bells sins? Is it necessary to confess Jesus Christ as Personal Lord and Savior AND keep Gods commands in order to be a true Christian and have eternal life?
  
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bankerpapaw
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:47am
This guy went off the deep end a long time ago.

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UBETHECHANGE
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:46am
@VerseofNoReason Why Gay Rights Are Not the Same As Civil Rights http://shar.es/eAWH0

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TheBigMike
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:40am
In my opinion, Christians should not care a wit about Mr Bell’s opinion, or whether a State codifies marriage contrary to the Bible. Mr Bell and the State are of the world. A Christian is in the world, but not of it. A Christian ought to ignore the world as much as possible, and concern himself with doing God’s will while on this earth.

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- snooop1e
  Posted on March 20, 2013 at 9:59pm
  @THEBIGMIKE – You wrote “A Christian ought to ignore the world as much as possible, and concern himself with doing God’s will while on this earth.” What if a “Christian” does not ignore the world as much as possible and does not obey all of Gods commands? Is ignoring the world and obeying Gods laws necessary for salvation? Rob Bell confesses Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior, what is that not enough to have eternal life? Why isn’t Jesus once for all sacrifice on the cross sufficient to cover over ALL of Rob Bells sins and SAVE him?
  
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msn04061960
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:38am
If what these people believe is not Biblical then they are not following the teaching of God and Jesus.

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Uechi
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:36am
Who? Famed? now infamous.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:35am
I don’t see any bigotry in this entire argument. I only see people defending an Institution. Who is the aggressor, and who is the defender? You will have your answer about where evil lies.

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JohnofOregon
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:33am
Never heard of this guy. Must be a liberal media manufactured story

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Scarlettsgone
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:30am
This man is not really what may be defined as a true leader, as a real leader cares more for those he is leading, and where he is leading them, than popularity. While most people accept and love others no matter their sexual orientation to side step what the Bible says regarding such matters is derelict.

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GetRight
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:30am
This is very serious, Mr. Bell. I hope you understand what you are doing.

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thibx
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:28am
he is no pastor and if you go to his church get out before you end up in hell with him.

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CrismaFire
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:27am
The Bible says many will be led astray in the end times. Being a pastor hardly means your even a Christian. The Bible is absolute, if you don’t want to believe it then don’t, God gave you freedom to follow him or not. Beware when you die and you will, you will answer for your crimes, crimes of disobedience.

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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:32am
  You will only answer for one sin or crime:
  
  John 16:8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment ; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
  
  Your sins have already been judged.
  
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vigibill
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:25am
This man thinks he is superior to God. He places his personal feelings ahead of the word of God and presents himself as some sort of authority to change God’s laws.
Who do you believe?

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- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:36am
  He is superior.. he is an an alinsky puppette.
  
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