I really hate his writing style, but I think he has some good things to say. ( )

I really hate his writing style, but I think he has some good things to say. ( )

I really hate his writing style, but I think he has some good things to say. ( )

This book is provocative and well-written (and likeable for those reasons). You can't help but enjoy Bell with his edgy, self-consciously authentic, loose-cannon style. He raises some good questions about lots of things and makes you think outside the box, which is always good for me.

But he's also a bit careless. Some of his questions leave you with big questions about what he really thinks about some pretty important core doctrines. He's also unfair - in using analogies that misrepresent what a lot of good, solid theologians of a more traditional ilk really say or think. (If you've read it, the brick wall vs. trampoline analogy is a case in point.)

Finally, he sends confusing signals. It boggles my mind that he gives an unqualified recommendation of books by John Piper on one hand and makes positve, unqualified references to J. Dominic Crossan, on the other. That just seems careless to me. I can't imagine giving an unqualififed recommendation of something written by a member of the Jesus Seminar. ( )

Reviewed by Mr. Gunn (Science)
It is a book about what the author thinks Christianity should look like - about how Christ taught people to interpret and live out scripture. He attempts to give the reader some historical and cultural perspective on some scripture and some thoughts about the difference between following religious doctrine and following Christ's teachings. I read it twice and I didn't have time to read it the first time. ( )

Phenomenal! Really made me rethink much about Christianity and how truly invasive it should be in my life. I have thought a lot about the part "if it is good, it is from God." ( )

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.

I liked the substance of the book but was occasionally annoyed by Bell's style--it seemed like he was trying too hard to be cool. If you're a liberal Christian, this is probably a good book for you. It also has interesting background information about specific Biblical texts that made those texts much more comprehensible.

The book was amazing. Even the layout of the book was amazing - being hardbound with a white cover with orange print. I picked the book up as soon as I could and poured over its pages as quickly as possible. This will definitely be on my “must read again” list for some time. I need to try and soak up all that I can remember from this first read and go back through with a fine-toothed comb to get out other morsels.

The book takes the reader through seven “movements”: Jump, Yoke, True, Tassels, Dust, New, and Good. Each of these “movements”, like his sermons that I download weekly, are jam-packed with information on who Jesus was and is. Rob Bell writes (and speaks) in a way that shows he has definitely “done his homework”. Lot’s of early-church history and Jewish tradition finds it’s way into this book as well as his sermons.

Some interesting ideas are shared in this book that will challenge any reader to be more firm in his/her faith. ( )

A profound discussion of modern Christianity.
Rob Bell starts a modern discussion of what it mans to be a Christian, to be a Christ-follower. This is much more than the WWJD bracelets-it's a challenge to think about your faith and how it appears in a modern world. Faith is more than belief, it is acting on that belief. Bell is the first to state he doesn't have all the answers, but his questions will force you to confront your own faith and what it means. ( )

An excellent explanation of Christianity as praxis, with a lesser emphasis on theology. His aim is to make Christ inclusive, not exclusive. I can imagine that he could come across as abrasive or arrogant by those with whom he disagrees, but it is a message worth listening to.

His discussion of Mary Magdalene's non-recognition of Jesus after his resurrection and the resonance with the story of Genesis was fascinating. His drawing out the meaning of 'rabbi' in terms of social importance and practice in atracting disciples was likewise extremely interesting. While the message of Jesus may be timeless, placing the story in the 1st century context has to aid our undrstanding. ( )

One of the more frustrating reads I have enjoyed in the last 2 years. So much of what Bell has to say is helpful and clarifying, and then there are these unbelievable slips of sheer, distoriting, damnable folly. The first chapter slaps one in the face with its clear departure from gospel clarity. It orients the faith around practice rather than around the historical event of what Christ actually accomplished. Theology is thus over-ruled by praxis, when it is precisely theology which empowers praxis.
Bell's writing is like his teaching- He is skilled. Extremely skilled at drawing his audience in to experience his prose. And while much of what Bell says could do much good, in the end he undermines his own project by repainting the Christian faith into a beautiful mess whose actual content is unimportant- so long as it fits our expectations for what beauty should be. ( )

Very thought provoking. Encourages eveyone, Christians specifically, to ask questions and think critically. ( )

Velvet Elvis is one of my favorite books. I am a huge fan of Rob Bell and the way he can communicate faith through painting a picture with words. He's extremely bright and knows Biblical history very well. One great thing is he has a way of showing God with more than the Bible. If people don't believe in the Bible there is no point in using it to try and sway. He uses all of God's creation to tell a wonderful story. ( )

Michael comments :
I was first introduced to Rob Bell in Sunday school class when some of his nooma videos were played. My first impression was he had a hip way of evangelizing but I found it odd that he never went to the bible as a reference for his message. My wife (Ramona) sensed something about this guy that drove her to do more research. It didn't take long to find that Rob Bell has some serious controversial theological beliefs. For one thing, Rob doesn't believe in the innerancy of the bible. Rob is associated with what is referred to the emerging church movement. I read Velvet Elvis to verify what I had read about Rob Bell and found out for myself within the first 2 to 3 chapters this guy is not on the up and up in terms of his theological views. Sure, he's a nice guy with a big following but I'm deeply concerned that he is leading his followers in an aimless direction. Rob sees himself as a new reformer much like Martin Luther. Rob beliefs scripture is up to be re-interpreted and says alot they we just can't say we know what the scripture means. He talks about it being a mystery even though the message is staring you in the face. ( )

I was rather, well, angry about the first part of this book. Then it got better, and then worse again. I was planning to give it three stars rather than two, but when I finished the book, I couldn't remember what the good points were. They made no impression on me at all.

What I do remember is Rob Bell pretending to be the new Martin Luther. Bragging about how he grew his church. Making pretense to be very knowledgeable about history (He is not -- the example I will give is when he claims that Caesar Augustus wanted everyone to worship him as a god, which is completely untrue. The Senate kept trying to get people to worship him, but Augustus was opposed to these efforts.), and trying to at once be a biblical authority while claiming that we cannot understand the true meaning of the Bible.

Throughout the first part of the book he tears down the Bible as something we cannot understand, but only interpret in our own way. He relies more on personal experiences to lead him to God than God's actual Word. And be sure and look up those passages he references (hiding the actual citations in endnotes), since quite often he's way off. He spins elaborate tales about Jewish society to prove how smart he is, only to finally reach the point that was obvious by the actual words of the Bible.

I've listened to Bell's podcast some, and some I do like, while a lot of the times he is either misled, wrong, or just longwinded (again, telling all about Jewish culture to arrive at the obvious point of the passage). But even there, when he is right, he is right in the most common and obvious ways that there isn't much you can take with you.

A new Martin Luther? No. Martin Luther's revolution was to give the Word of God to everyone and let them follow Christ. Rob Bell's revolution is to drain the meaning from the Word and replace it with his own stories, his own supposed knowledge, and his own undersanding. As for me, I will trust in the Word over Rob Bell. ( )

A chapter was discussed in my small group Bible study. Since I like Rob Bell anyway, I was able to borrow the book from our group leader.

The book was good. I like Bell's writing style - he's open and has a way of painting pictures with words. And he's good at pushing you to God without beating you over the head with Him. I recommend the book. ( )

Every time I read something by Rob Bell, or see one of his videos, it seems to capture and express what I want to say, only so much better. This was no exception. Bell describes this book as a contribution to the ongoing act of painting the Christian faith. It is a vulnerable, honest, and open expression of a vibrant and living faith that invites engagement with excitement and an expectation of changed lives. It left me exhilarated and enthused for the possibilities open to the church in contemporary culture if we really engage with this approach to our faith. ( )

I am so glad I read this. So glad. I can't even put into words. Seriously, a lot of the things I have been thinking about lately (and even some I haven't been) were talked about in this book. It made me feel less crazy and gave me a bit of peace for all my questions and thoughts.
I used to think I knew what it meant to have faith. I used to think I knew all the rules and all that jazz. I used to live a very black and white existance. But over the last several years I've begun to find this grey area, and have a lot of doubts and wonder if all the "traditions" I've believed in were in fact right.
Not that Bell strikes them all down, but he just writes in a way that says that's okay to feel that way. And I can question things and that is okay. I can have faith through it all. I can not subscribe to black and white thinking and that's okay too ...

there is a lot I'm feeling that makes it hard to put into words, but read this book! Really read it. And think about it. You don't have to agree with him or anything

Phenomenal! Really made me rethink much about Christianity and how truly invasive it should be in my life. I have thought a lot about the part "if it is good, it is from God." ( )

The author speaks with authenticity. ( )

This book captures the heart and essence of the postmodern/emergent Christian church. Stepping away from doctrine, the focus becomes experiencing God through the world He has created instead of seeking Him through rules and religion. Rob Bell is an excellent writer, using parables of his own to create memorable points (such as the titular Velvet Elvis painting which demonstrates the need to "repaint" the Christian faith). Critics of Bell will likely hate this book but they are equally likely to oppose the postmodern movement as a whole, however, there is much truth to be found among the controversy if they are willing to look at it with an open mind. I would rate this as a must read for anyone in ministry with younger generations of Christ followers (high school, college, etc.) as that is probably the audience most easily reached with Bell's style and views. ( )

Great book for those looking for more from their faith. Not a program or plan, just a new way of looking at things. He's someone that gets the point of Christianity and can articulate it very well. ( )

Excellent, simple yet complex, uncluttered Christianity, explained & expounded in easy readable style ( )

This book is dangerous, but not in a good way. There is so much I like about Rob Bells style and even his ministry, but he not only flirts with liberalism, he french kisses it. He displays an attitude of indifferentism that we definitely do not need in our churches, emerging or otherwise. For a much more detailed review, check out Reformations21's review (thanks for the link bsanner) at http://www.reformation21.com/Past_Iss... ( )