Take faith, for example. For many people in our world, the opposite of faith is doubt. The goal, then, within this understanding, is to eliminate doubt. But faith and doubt aren't opposites. Doubt is often a sign that your faith has a pulse, that it's alive and well and exploring and searching. Faith and doubt aren't opposites, they are, it turns out, excellent dance partners.
Rob BellIt is better to be fully present and rested and engaged for one thing than rushed, distracted, and scattered for ten.
Rob BellMissions then is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there [...] You see God where others don't. And then you point him out. So the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst.
Rob BellThe fact that we are loved and accepted and forgiven in spite of everything we have done is simply too good to be true.
Rob BellYou can be very religious and invoke the name of God and be able to quote lots of verses and be well versed in complicated theological systems and yet not be a person who sees. Itโs one thing to sing about God and recite quotes about God and invoke Godโs name; itโs another be aware of the presence in every taste, touch, sound, and embrace. With Jesus, what we see again and again is that itโs never just a person, or just a meal, or just an event, because thereโs always more going on just below the surface.
Rob Bell