Rob Bell and Deuteronomy

Scripture: "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Observation: God is warning his people not to be swayed by signs, wonders, or any other appearances of divine empowerment when it comes to people who claim to speak for God. The key to knowing if a person is truly a prophet is not success, or accurate predictions, or even miracles and signs. It is not if the person can reform miracles or heal people or have thousands of followers. The key is the theological test. Who does this person say that God is? What does this person say about God's word?
"Let us go after other gods" may not be someone intentionally enticing false religion, but if we lead people to a version of God that is inconsistent with scripture, then we, in effect, are leading people to other gods and are not to be listened to.

Application: Everyone is tweeting and testing about Rob Bell's forthcoming book, yet few have read it. I have not read it yet, and am trying to withhold a rush to judgment. But as I read the book, my criteria for whether Rob Bell is a person to be listened to is not if his prose is compelling, or if he is genuinely living out the signs of life of Christ, nor is it even the miracle of thousands of followers. In the end, it will come down to: "who does he say that God is?". This answer must be centered in scripture, and not in a sanitized or palatable version. If that answer leads us to a God different than scripture, then we have to stop listening.

Prayer: God, help me make sure my words reflect who you are and not who I want you to be or who I think people want to hear you to be. I pray also for Rob Bell, that his evident love for Christ and people would be guided by the truth of your word.