G-Sync -- The Dude Abides

Each week, we look around our community and it appears more often then not something new drops and when done well, it captures the attention of people outside our region who used to think of Grand Rapids as just a city they flew over.

We have seen it happen in our distant past with projects like Sculpture Off The Pedestal to our very recent past with LaughFest where more than 60 shows (both free and ticketed) were sold out in support of the country's most active Gilda's Club based in a neighborhood on the Westside of the city.

The world focused its attention on our city this past week when an innovative new project was released two weeks early. This time it wasn't a laughing matter. Rob Bell, pastor of the mega church Mars Hill, dropped a new book, "Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived."

I understand the way a few may feel right now since this is typically a space for new ideas that often change the way our region is perceived, but as I tracked this new book during the weeks leading up to its release, I think it clearly fits the model. There won't be an altar call at the end, so stop squirming in your office chair.

Bell's book is part of a new series of thought-provoking releases from our area's most popular spiritual export and it raises questions about what happens after we die.  

It would seem like pretty normal stuff from a region that also exports Zondervan and Family Bookstores had it not been for the book's commercial advertisement released on the author's website. Bell poised the question, "Gandhi's in hell? He is?"

And from that moment on, the inter-verse lit up like the 4th of July in New York City.  

As I tracked the comments on Twitter, it became clear this was going to be a big release for the author given the explosive nature of what he was saying. The book quickly shot up the Amazon bestseller list, likely guaranteeing a debut in the Top 10 this week with the New York Times.

What some commentators have found so explosive is that Rob Bell would dare to suggest God's generosity could extend a place in Heaven to good people who were not Christians. For many, suggesting a viewpoint of an expansive and graceful God is heresy.

Today, I am not going to defend nor condemn the book. Instead I would rather shine a bit of light on how each week, we, as a community, continue in our own way to contribute to the rich fabric of our region.

While we may have various goals in our pursuit of "a more perfect union," it is nice to see that diverse dialogue is also being promoted not only in the arts, but also within the faith-based community as well.

So, as you venture into uncharted waters of the future this week, I present a very special collection of projects that have literature or the ability to communicate with language as their starting point.

Events this week include: a stellar play, "The Sweetest Swing in Baseball" (Actors' Theatre); a visual presentation in an old advertising shop from a time gone by at (a)wake  (Steketee's former advertising space); a contest between our industry creatives titled "Design/Educate/Connect" (GRAM); a visit by an award-winning author who pops into town to talk about the "Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" (Fountain Street Church); a panel discussion on the merits of arts criticism titled "A Critical Reality" (Wealthy Theatre); a return of the 5x5 Night event (GRAM) with me as a guest judge this round.

All of our actions are transforming the way people view our community now and in the years to come. Our willingness to share and expand dialogue will only make our community better.  


The Future Needs All of Us (to engage with the now.)


Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Email:  [email protected]

Editor's note: In researching this piece I attended services at Mars Hill on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 11a.m. Thank you to the people of Mars Hill for their hospitality, you were entertaining editor unaware. (a nod to Hebrews 13:2)


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Self-portrait of Tommy Allen provided by the artist.
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