• What We Talk About When We Talk About God

  • By: Rob Bell
  • Narrated by: Rob Bell
  • Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (660 ratings)

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What We Talk About When We Talk About God  By  cover art

What We Talk About When We Talk About God

By: Rob Bell
Narrated by: Rob Bell
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Publisher's summary

"I've written this book because there's a growing sense that when it comes to God, we're at the end of one era and the start of another, an entire mode of understanding and talking about God is dying as something new is being birthed." - from What We Talk About When We Talk About God

How God is described today strikes many as mean, primitive, backwards, illogical, tribal, and at odds with the frontiers of science. At the same time, many intuitively feel a sense of reverence and awe in the world. Can we find a new way to talk about God? Pastor and New York Times best-selling author Rob Bell shows how traditional ideas have grown stale and dysfunctional and reveals a new path for how to return vitality and vibrancy to how we understand God. Bell reveals how we got stuck, why culture resists certain ways of talking about God, and how we can reconnect with the God who is with us, for us, and ahead of us, pulling us forward into a better future - and ready to help us live life to the fullest.

©2013 WORB, Inc. (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about What We Talk About When We Talk About God

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Love this book!

I've listened to the audio version of this book multiple times. I keep trying to find the ways it may lead people astray or is heretical as many christians imply.
The more I listen to it, as I also journey with God to discover the larger more beautiful story he's creating and inviting us into... the more I resonate with this telling of the overall draw, pull, invitation to everyone. This is not a book of theology, doctrine, or dogma. It is a large scope, expansive introduction to holistic faith and living. Understanding God as a good and three unique persons who we can join in discovering ALL God wants for us. Why would anyone not desire this God... this kind of relationship that completes our humanity by watching Jesus is his incarnate revelation? Sin?? It's not being receptive to how this beautiful message will change us, and the life of eternity we can start now, not when we die. Rob does not shy away from stating the truth that we're all broken and that's a central reason we do need God. But it's a compelling invitation, not fear that gets that message through. This book makes me desire God more than almost any other I've ever read.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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God is leading us ahead

What made the experience of listening to What We Talk About When We Talk About God the most enjoyable?

Rob's style is very conversational. I feel he is sitting right there next to me explaining all this to me, personally. He doesn't speak down to me, but he does talk about some very complex things in a way that I get it.

What did you like best about this story?

I love how filled with hope his message is. How he explains that God is bigger than anything we imagined. He focuses on what is essential, but doesn't shy away from the things that have been obstacles. Rob talks from his heart, but it is filled with knowledge and reason, too. What he says really makes sense. I get it. I understand it.

What about Rob Bell’s performance did you like?

His conversational style. Understandable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I almost made it.

Any additional comments?

This is a book for everyone that is willing to be open to the possibility that God really is bigger, more loving, more forgiving than any of us every imagined.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good Rob Bell book, but not a Love Wins

Any additional comments?

I liked the book, but it isn't at all a Love Wins book. Rob seems a little uninterested during his reading of the book at times.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An invitation to see beyond

The move from dualism to integrated consciousness in seeing God in all things. I’ve listened to this book multiple times and each time it reminds me to see things with fresh eyes, and to look for God in everything, and to trust God’s loving and compassionate heart is writing the story of my life and yours.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not what I expected

Didn’t like it. Not much meat, lots of fluff. Very interesting facts & physical truths, but super light on any meaningful understanding of How God fits in our new world.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Most complete guide

This is likely the most accessible guide to the contemporary questions around God. Bell provides a clear path with humor story and research.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Foundational questions with deep meaning for life.

A way to engage the recent questioner and the deeply entrenched knowed. Great discussion starter.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Encouraged Me When I Was In a Hard Time with God

Nothing mind-blowing in here, as I've read a few other progressive Christian books before, but it was good stuff. It was encouraging to me because he presents a view of God & Christianity that I can embrace, from an intellectual & moral standpoint.

My favorite part was perhaps the beginning, where he talks about how 96% of the universe is dark matter/ energy and black holes, and quantum theory and all that. It really does make the world seem magical, mysterious, & spiritual.

I love Rob Bell. His delivery is so humorous and engaging. You can tell he's a natural-born precher!

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Rob Bell writes and narrates so well.

I loved this book when I read it and again when I listened to it. It’s a 10/10, though I do like his “What is the Bible?” book better, but they are both awesome. They found me at just the right time, and hold the door open for all to come and sit at the table.

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Awesome awesome awesome

It’s just, what more can I say; Awesome awesome awesome Awesome awesome awesome Awesome awesome awesome !!! !!!👏😄🎉

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