"What if there's no hell? A popular pastor's best-selling book has stirred fierce debate about sin, salvation, and judgment" read the cover of TIME Magazine on April 25, 2011, just days after the publication of Rob Bell's book Love Wins.
At USC, he will introduce the themes of his newest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God. Believing that traditional ideas about God have grown stale and dysfunctional, Bell will demonstrate how to return vitality and vibrancy to lives of faith today. He will explain why both culture and the church resist talking about God, and will demonstrate how we can reconnect with the God who is pulling us forward into a better future. Bell uses his characteristic evocative storytelling to challenge everything you think you know about God.
Rob Bell is the founding Pastor and Pastor Emeritus of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Bell cultivated a congregation of nearly ten thousand people. His teachings at Mars Hill also inspired the popular "Love Wins" bumper sticker, and he stepped down from the church in 2011 with the intention of pursuing other areas in order to reach a broader audience.
Bell grew up in a traditional Christian environment. In 1992, he graduated from Wheaton College and received a degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
During his time at Wheaton, Bell founded a band called "_ton bundle." Reminiscent in style to bands such as Talking Heads and R.E.M, _ton bundle achieved some modest success before Bell was struck with viral meningitis, ending the band's tenure.
In addition to Love Wins, Bell is the author of best-sellers Velvet Elvis and Sex God. He is the coauthor of Jesus Wants to Save Christians. He is also featured in a series of short films entitled "NOOMA".
Bell currently resides in California with his wife and 3 children.
