Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
by Rob Bell
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Book Summary Information
Author: Rob BellEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-06-27
ISBN: 0310273080
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Zondervan
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780310273080
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Book Reviews of Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
Book Review: Has a helpful, impactful Christian message
Summary: 5 Stars
Bell writes enthusiastically about his Christian faith and ministry. Although this book may read like a stream-of-consciousness trope at times, it is well-measured and often insightful and revelatory. Bell shares personal anecdotes from his own faith journey and events from his ministry to make his points. He also shares many Scriptures and helpful commentary on Scriptures. I think what makes this book so effective is that it is appropriate as an introduction to the faith and as a meaningful, forceful message to mature Christians and ministers.
Bell's writing style or rather his ministry style is edgy and relational. He walks the fine line of engaging the culture while maintaining his Biblical, Christian grounding. He uses illustrations and metaphors to convey Christian truths. And he does emphasize Christian truths. He preaches the good news of Jesus fully. What he calls good news for believers and unbelievers, and he shows why it is just that.
I think he makes a significant mistake early in the book by trying to side with post-moderns by saying if somehow it was proven that Joseph was indeed the DNA-proven father of Jesus it shouldn't shipwreck a person's faith--he then says that if one's faith could be undermined by the failure of one issue like the virgin birth then it is really not faith. This is a poor attempt to "relate" to those whose "enlightened" presuppositions prevent them from believing such things. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not the good news if he is not conceived by the Holy Spirit. Bell seems to deny the fact that their are non-negotiable truths in Christianity. Following this poor example, most of the book is orthodox and Scripturally-based.
I think his message is an important one for Christians to constantly hear. Some main themes are that we are forgiven and made righteous and holy by Christ's work on the cross--not our own works or goodness. This forgiveness is the begining point of what is to be a relationship with God through Jesus that is increasingly enjoyable and intimate. Bell encourages honesty in looking at oneself and asserts that all of us need God's complete healing to function in God's image through Christ. This is a book about God's grace and God's purpose for us--his desire for us.
Bell opens up the Scriptures through his illustrations and commentary, often from Jewish sources, on Biblical texts.
If there is any criticism to levy at Bell, it would perhaps be his snarkiness at times toward Christians who he may deem too fundamental, orthodox, old fashioned or not hip, etc. He may come across as being be overly critical of other Christians who are in fact just as sincere. The "post-modern" approach of questioning and engaging culture is working for Bell in his context. It could at times lead to inferences by some that Christianity is ambiguous and has no clear tenets that are non-negotiable. However, some Christians must engage in defending the faith against very real heresies. For these Christians, clarifying the answers to the questions against heresies is important. Without them, Christianity gets confused with other religions and philosophies like gnosticism. A "take what you like and ignore the rest," cafeteria style approach to Christianity is incongruent with Scripture's message. Bell doesn't necessarily promote this but could perhaps be read as such. And he does disparage those who do real battle over the authority of Scripture with those who would liberalize and undermine it. Without such as these, the church would have become completely heretical long ago.
Bell's message is effective for his purpose and ministry. Readers need to see it larger context of the Christian worldview and ministry. Bell himself advises readers that he is writing his story and contributing to the discussion--not trying to sum it all up. Some reades will certainly disagree with his downplaying conversion and traditional evangelism.
This overall is an exceptional book that I think ought to be taken up by all Christians and viewed as a whole.
Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays
Summary of Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
We know there's something more. We sense it, we feel it, and we want it. But how do we find it---a spirituality that stands up to the questions of an honest, searching mind? 'This book is for those who need a fresh take on Jesus and what it means for us to live the kind of life he teaches us to live,' writes Rob Bell. 'This pursuit of Jesus is leading us backward as much as forward ... I am learning that what seems brand new is often just the discovery of something that has been there all along--- it just got lost somewhere and it needs to be picked up, dusted off, and reclaimed.' Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about. 'We have to test everything,' writes Bell. 'Do that to this book. Don't swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I'm a Christian and I'm trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn't mean I've got it nailed. I'm contributing to the discussion. God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?'Christian Living Books
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