The TV scene shows three women sitting in a burger franchise’s restaurant. One woman is talking on the phone to the franchise’s management, complaining about their puny hamburgers on big buns. Eighty-one year old Clara Peller (a manicurist turned actress at the age of eighty) grabs the phone. “Where’s the beef?” she says in a raspy voice.
How effective was the commercial?
The Wendy’s commercial was first aired on January 10, 1984. It propelled Wendy’s Restaurants into third place in the hamburger wars with McDonalds and Burger King. Both McDonalds and Burger King reacted almost overnight to the popular commercial by adding quarter pound burgers to their menus.
The slogan, “Where’s the beef,” is considered the 4th most influential advertising slogan since 1948. Today, it’s used as a catch phrase and most people have even forgotten the name of the company it first referred to.
Kudos to you, Rob Bell.
Up front, I must confess I have not read Bell’s book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, and I do not plan to buy it unless…
But so far, I have seen the book’s advertising trailer and read his interviews, all of which amaze me.
The book trailer is a highly polished video. Now, does anyone believe Bell wrote his own dialog and grabbed a member of his Mars Hill Church to film it in the cold, snowy streets of Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Next, what about the interviews where he gave fluffy non-answers before the book’s launching? Do you really think he just sat down with the interviewer without being coached ahead of time on what to say or not say?
No,of course not, to all of these questions.
The video and interviews were designed by Bell’s publisher, HarperCollins, to produce one thing: hype. And guess what? It succeeded, maybe even beyond HarperCollins’ hopes.
Bloggers, twitters and conservative Christians jumped into the fray and swatted at Bell’s non-answer BB’s with AK-47 rebuttals. The internet was alive with questions about Bell’s doctrine. Was he a universalist? Did he believe Jesus was the Way, the only way?
Hype sells products. In Bell’s case, the books are flying off the shelves at the rate of $22.99 a copy and $10.99 for e-books. Cha ching!
But, Rob Bell, where’s the beef?
After the royalty checks are safely in your bank account and after thousands and thousands of people bow down to your version of the gospel, then what? What will you do to continue satisfying your adoring fan base?
Write another book. Maybe, but you can only hype yourself so much before people expect more and more and more.
So, Rob Bell, here’s how you get beef into your message and also $22.99 out of my billfold:
Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Larry Who 
Sad commentary on Rob Bell who is enriching himself by spreading a false gospel.
Marianne,
I agree. But I also think the first question by us Christians to a preacher like Bell should be, “Where’s your miracles, signs and wonders accompanying your gospel?”
So true, Larry.
He talks about heaven for only a few . . .a select special few. But Jesus came for everyone, everywhere. Thanks for showing this and getting us to think about how we should respond when confronted with a different gospel. 🙂
Debbie,
Thanks.
Ya, see, I’m confused which parts of the Gospel we’re using here… I understand which part Bell is using, more importanly, what parts he’s throwing out… but where does it talk about your salvation being dependent on whether or not you spend money on his books? Frankly, I don’t think God cares. I’m certain your salvation doesn’t depend on how many books Bell sells.
I’m relatively certain that God isn’t concerned about whether or not WE think Mr. Bell, Ghandi, or Joe Shmoe are spending eternity with Him. He hasn’t consulted me, and I’m going to go out on a limb and assume God hasn’t contacted anyone else either.
My point is this… Jesus says directly the only way to Heaven is through Him. I believe him. But… Who am I, really, to proclaim that anyone who thinks otherwise is going to hell?
I haven’t read the book… yet… but I am going to buy the book. Here’s why. It is an important question. I believe God delights when we grab him by the beard and wrestle him until we get an answer. I believe by listening, and attempting to understand a concept that is outside of our comfort zone, we actually share the Gospel, because God is here.
So. Is Rob Bell a heretic? you won’t find me hitting him over the head with a Bible, because, quite frankly, the Gospel was never meant to be used as a weapon to divide his church.
I wouldn’t be so candid if it were anyone else, Larry. I pray your readers understand we are friends and that because I view through a different lense doesn’t change that. : )
Cindy,
Thanks for your comments.
Since I did not read Rob Bell’s book, I did not talk about his variation of the gospel nor his thoughts on Hell. I was only talking about the hype which Rob Bell agreed to and was a part of to sell his books. From a marketing point of view, it was masterful.
But I’m not spending $22.99 on someone’s thoughts on heaven, Hell or fate of every person who ever lived because Paul calls these elementary teachings in Hebrews 6:1-2. These issues are settled for me. What could Bell possibly add?
So for him to get my money, he has to have some beef in his message. He has
to have signs, wonders and miracles following his teaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God. Jesus did. I’m not settling for less.
I’m with you Larry.
Cheryl,
Thanks.