Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell
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Book Reviews of Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
Book Review: amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Is anyone else embarassed by the debates going on over this book? It's simply dumbfounding how those who claim to follow Christ can be so insulting and unloving to others over a book.
So let me give a quick review of the book - I loved it. I'm 28, have been going to a typical Southern Baptist church since 9 months before I was born, accepted Christ when I was 8, and I passionately love Jesus Christ (that dispels what someone said earlier about "1 star" reviewers being the established Christians). This book challenged me to think deeply about what I believe and why I believe it. God used it to open my eyes and help me see things I hadn't. I truly can't recommend it enough.
One word of caution - read this book for yourself and don't be swayed by the debate going on here. Think for yourself instead of having others think for you. And for the record, Rob Bell isn't a heretic and neither is his book. Once you read the book you will understand, but just know that people here are pulling things from this book and taking them completely out of context (just as there were those who took passages from the Bible out of context to justify slavery).
I truly hope you read this book, digest it, filter it, and simply ask God to reveal to you any truth in it.
Book Review: I love the way Rob Bell thinks!
Summary: 5 Stars
Rob Bell's first book, Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, is as enticing and challenging as his teachings from his pulpit. Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, MI, has quickly climbed to the top of the charts among young, emerging church leaders. His curiosity, insight, and honesty makes for a somewhat "outside the box" type of read.
What if the Velvet Elvis painting he owns was the definitive painting of Elvis? What if no other paintings of Elvis were necessary? What if that one painting of the King defined everything about him? It's crazy to think that there is only one accurate portrayal of Elvis.
What would the church be like if someone decided that there is only one way to do church? What if we did not allow church leaders and next generation Christians to paint the church in a fresh way? What if we said that the church has already been accurately portrayed and there is no reason to mess with it? It would be sad.
Rob Bell challenges us to think new thoughts about Jesus and how we "paint" his church. I highly recommend this book.
Gene Jennings, author of Timely Words
Book Review: What is this book supposed to accomplish?
Summary: 5 Stars
For those who are actually wondering if they should buy the book or not, you MUST understand the purpose of the book.
Bell is throwing things out there, as he sees them, to inspire the readers to question why they believe what they believe. This is not a hidden agenda. If you read the intro, he makes this clear.
As believers in Christ, we have an obligation to seek God without the negative influences of ignorance, tradition, and the influence of others. This is accomplished by reading, meditating on God's Word and pursuing God to answer the questions that challenge our finite and limited thinking.
"Velvet Elvis" is a wonderful tool to help one do just that. So whether you agree or disagree with Bell doesn't really matter. what does matter is that you are more confirmed on what your convictions are concerning the mystery of God, and for that, both supporters and non-supporters should thank Bell for this book.
IN SHORT:
Rob Bell tells the reader out right what this book is intended for and he does a good job of following through with his purpose. Therefore, this is a really good book!
Book Review: Some people are idiots
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't want to call those "Religious" people who are ragging on the DESIGN of VELVET ELVIS - idiots - because that would be rude.
But, this book's unusual design/layout is what attracted me to it in the first place!! If I had seen one more book about God or Jesus with some purple splashy gold winged stuff on the outside cover I think I would have puked.
If you are a believer who wants a FRESH breath of air in Christian Literature read this book. And if you want to catch a glimpse of a man who seems to cause some religious people to heap abuse on him and some not so religious people (who are believers) to heap praise on him (sounds kind of like Jesus doesn't it) then read this book.
And for the sake of all that is cool - judge for yourself about the design of the book. I am an artist and I LOVED it.
The author Marsha Marks told me about this book. I am a Flight Attendant as well. And this book speaks to those of us who have a faith; believe in Jesus and want to know more about what it means to have faith- but want to read about it, by someone who seems to speak our lanquage.
Book Review: God in blue jeans.
Summary: 5 Stars
A.W. Tozer wrote that "every man has exactly as much of God as he desires". If "Velvet Elvis" is accurate, Rob Bell wants more of God.
His casual, hip style will appeal to Gen-Xers, after all, he is all about relationship. Make no mistake, Bell is hot after God. But this is not the stoic, silent God of empty ritual and dry formalities. Oh no. This is God in blue jeans. This is a God involved in the messy, untidy details of our lives and caring about our responses to all the trauma and drama of our days.
I was very interested to learn about the rabbi's yoke, about the selection process of young Jewish men for rabbinic study, and other Jewish traditions which bring light to our spiritual heritage.
We are called to have faith in God but Bell also says that God has faith in us. An interesting concept which is real meat for the believer. But then again, Rob Bell is like that. He looks at faith and God in new ways and expresses them freshly. Real. Vibrant. Colorful. Freestyle.
This is a book that illuminates God's Word and challenges the believer to dare to desire more of God.