Velvet Elvis (2005) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“Love him or hate him, Rob Bell makes his readers think! In Elvis, Bell explains the difficulty of being Christian in a our world filled with contradictions and hypocrisy. Particularly interesting was the chapter which addressed the sheltering of young people only to find them away from the church post-college.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Rob Bell, in usual form provides a different take on what has become acceptable and taken for granted as "church." He digs deeper than most to what is at the heart of many things that have simply become ritualistic. This was an exploration that presented me with some new challenges as well as perspectives. I do not always agree or disagree with Rob but find his views fresh and considerable once again. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Everyone who calls themselves a Christian needs to read this book and when they are done, read it again. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“I enjoyed this book.”

• Rated 4 stars

“This was good.”

• Rated 4 stars

“As always, Rob Bell makes us think about faith and Jesus in ways we never have. It might not challenge your faith, but it should expand it and make you think about it in new ways”

• Rated 4 stars

“A classic!”

• Rated 1 stars

“intriguing, but weak doctrine”

• Rated 5 stars

“A favourite few lines: "When you wrestle with the text [of the Bible] you walk away limping....The ones limping have had an experience with the living God." ; "But I am NOT defined by what I am NOT." ; "The Rabbi thinks we can be like Him."”

• Rated 3 stars

“Rob Bell presents his theological and doctrinal perspectives. He, like some of his contemporaries (especially Donald Miller), employs alternate authority sources and a very casual--nearly conversational--voice throughout the reading. He discussess constantly the disparities manifesting in the Christian church between what Christainity should be and what it has become.

I know that much of the wide-spread popularity of contemporary Christian writers, like Bell, owes to the style with which they write. It is hugely accessible. The style of writing or tone of voice is often alluded to by comparing with a conversation two would have over a cup of coffee at a local restaurant. I appreciate this approach. I, however, don't much care for the style. I find it overly-simplistic. And I feel somewhat disappionted that my reading level hasn't been challenged.

The arguments Bell presents are largely valid points. I don't necessarily think that he's the first to present them or that it's a revolutionary book because of what he says, but it is a concentrated collection of valid, burning questions that most Christians carry around in search of genuine experiences. A major point that Bell repeats--one that I contend against--is that the here-and-now serves as our hell or heaven. Bell constantly asserts that the point of the Kingdom of God is to prepare heaven for His return, rather than expecting removal from earth. To this point I would tend to deny his claim overall, citing information like the final baptism of the world by fire, the constant references by prophets of "being taken up to heaven where I saw a city. . .," and Christ's and the apostles' frequent mentions of the Kingdom being "not of this world."

But I find the book to be a refreshing review of so of the most valid and vital arguments of Christian faith. It strikes me as a compilation of conversations and topics that the church should be discussing on a weekly basis and I hope more Christians read it.”