NFL Star Aaron Rodgers Has Been Greatly Influenced by Rob Bell
- Updated Aug 31, 2017
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently revealed in an interview that he has been greatly influenced by the teachings of author, speaker, and former pastor Rob Bell.
Bell is known for his controversial interpretations of Christianity and many of the Bible’s doctrines.
RelevantMagazine.com reports that the interview, which was published in ESPN Magazine explores the often-reserved Rodgers’ quest to find deeper meaning in life.
Despite his success in his NFL career, Rodgers says he knew there had to be more to life than football.
Rodgers was raised in a committed Christian family, but has since questioned his faith. “I think in people’s lives who grew up in some sort of organized religion, there really comes a time when you start to question things more,” he said.
He began to grapple with some deep questions: “I remember asking a question as a young person about somebody in a remote rainforest. Because the words that I got were: ‘If you don’t confess your sins, then you’re going to hell.’ And I said, ‘What about the people who don’t have a Bible readily accessible?’”
Rodgers met Bell when Bell was invited to speak to the Packers. The two began a friendship. Bell has encouraged Rodgers to rediscover his faith, but Rodgers also seems to have embraced some of Bell’s less literal interpretations of Scripture.
“The Bible opens with a poem,” says Rodgers. “It’s a beautiful piece of work, but it was never meant to be interpreted as I think some churches do.” When asked if he identifies as a Christian, Rodgers “says he no longer identifies with any affiliation," according to the ESPN article.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Publication date: August 31, 2017
