I would like to say a few things on the subject of Rob Bell and judgement. I have read a lot of what Rob Bell has written and I have been listening to his interviews and such and following it lately. I've also read some critic reviews. I would say that I agree with what Rob Bell has to say, it is my experience that he does look at things in context and I have found it a freeing perspective. Anyway, back on topic: Judgement.
Rob Bell never says 'there is no judgement or consequences for sin'. I have heard him many times say that we need God to judge and put an end to sin. Also, he will deny strongly that God just swoops down and makes everyone Christians (ignoring free will and therefore ignoring true love for people) which is kind of the feeling I got from the video. Instead, people suffer the hell of the consequences of sin every day. Whenever there is refusal of God and His way there is an experience of hell. If you want big examples you can look at the Holocaust and the the woman who has just been gang raped or if you want small examples you can look even in your own self when you know you are not trusting God with something and so you suffer torment from it.
In the book, I would say Bell didn't do a great job of explaining eternity. From listening to him discus this after the book was published, I have summarized for myself that what he is saying about eternity is that eternal is out side of time and not subject to it. Therefore it is in the future, in the past, the present and continues after death. The separation is there and here. God has given us Christ to get past it. God's grace, love and forgiveness is there and here. So at a point of time if a soul decides to trust God then that soul gives up the eternal death and embraces the eternal life.
There is then the conclusion that there is an urgency to accepting Christ's redemption and sharing the good news that it's there. The separation is real and it causes great suffering. The answer to our suffering and sin is Jesus' amazing love and forgiveness. And when we trust God with all of that we are freed and our natural response will be pursue our spiritual gifts.
I would say that, at the time of writing Love Wins Rob Bell came up to the line of heresy and looked at what was on the other side. I would also say, that since then, Rob Bell has grown and moved away from that 'heresy line'.
I would recommend looking at Love Wins. If you don't agree with what he has to say, you will at least take a look at the idea that 'God is Love' and 'God is all-powerful' and how does that jive with your perspective.
