Product Description

God never changes, nor do the central truths of Christianity. But our understanding of those truths is in constant flux. Christians will always be exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God and each other. Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1796 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"God doesn't change, but times do, and Rob Bell, founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan, believes new times call for us to remain open and flexible, living with passion and conviction….An advocate of a postmodern approach to faith, Bell is vulnerable about his own struggles with doubt and understanding Scripture. Joy, awe, raw honesty, and an appreciation for the mystery of faith permeate the pages." — Christianity Today

(Christianity Today )

"Rob Bell is able to draw more depth out of the New Testament than I thought possible….I would have finished this book in record time if I didn't have to put it down so often just so I could sit back and process what I was learning. Buy two copies, one for you and one to pass around." — YouthWorker Journal

(YouthWorker Journal )

From the Back Cover
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?”

About the Author
Rob Bell lives with his family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he’s the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church. He also teaches in a short film format called NOOMA, and his first books are Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith and Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality.

Customer Reviews

Has a helpful, impactful Christian message
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 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

Velvet Elvis
I love the way Rob writes and how he conveys his love for the Word of God. This was much more enjoyable for me than other books of postmodern thinking.

Inspiring to Tear driping to a smile on your face
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, has to be one of the greatest inspiring books that can even teach a Christian who is strong in His walk. Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, first goes into asking God questions is a good thing, as when we ask God questions we find answers, and those answers helps us to grow in the Lord. Rob Bell goes into talking about Gods' creation and how the Lord wants us to use it. The best section in this book is about the Jewish history of Jesus Christ. This section of the book really got me to be in awe of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are seven topics in this books that Rob goes into. He calls them movements. Velvet Elvis, has brought me into a new understanding of passion. I've been a born again Christian for three years with a fire and this book just kept my flame going if not made it go higher.
I recommend this book for any Christian of any age, in fact get two copy's of this book one to keep and one to pass on. This is a book that will change your walk for ever, and even put you in tears of how beautiful our God is. Your Pastor would even enjoy and get inspired by Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.
This is a spirit filled book, and I look forward to reading more by Rob Bell.