Rob Bell's 'Love Wins' hits shelves

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grandville pastor Rob Bell planted a pitchfork in the Christian belief of an everlasting hell in his controversial new book, "Love Wins."

Bell is a pastor of mega-church Mars Hill Bible, which has thousands of attendees across the area. The book he authored hit stores Tuesday.

"I wanted to find out for myself what it said, instead of waiting to hear what other people said," said Barb Wynn, who plans on purchasing "Love Wins."

The controversy ignited earlier this month in the Christian blogosphere. The pastor with a rock star reputation has been called everything from a hipster heretic to a universalist -- supposedly with the belief that all people go to heaven, regardless of faith.

But Bell said he's not a universalist, and he does indeed believe in hell. The author spoke with 24 Hour News 8 via satellite, in New York.

Watch the video to hear from Bell.

He suggested, among other things, that death does not end the opportunity to repent; that salvation can be had by those who have never heard the word, and that churches that disagree are "misguided and toxic."

Bell's critics have said he is a false teacher of a Jesus-optional Gospel, and that he runs the risk of leading innocent people to damnation.

So far, 480 copies of "Love Wins" have been ordered by Baker Book House, and by 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, 84 were sold. In the past 24 hours, he has made rounds on several TV talk shows, including "Good Morning America" and others on MSNBC.

Bell was scheduled to attend a book signing Thursday at Schuler Books, on 28th Street, but his publicist says the event was canceled.

He will be signing books April 3 at the Barnes & Noble store inside Woodland Mall.