I think that the subject matter in the book needs to be thought about a lot and not simply taken as is (and Rob Bell has SAID that he doesn't want it to be simply accepted without judgement). That said, it's a great book for making you think about Christianity and what it really means.

I didn't love this book as much as Sex God, but i still thought it was awesome. ( )

This book is about the endless need to keep exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God, as the Christian Faith will never be complete.

What do you when your faith is falling apart?

I can't help but feel that the the many who condemn Rob Bell for his "dangerous theology" haven't walked to the edge of their faith. (That is probably an over-generalization.) In Velvet Elvis Rob Bell is not offering apologetics, rather he's trying to reframe the conversation - or "repainting the Christian faith." He offers 7 movements for how to go forward, and he's writing to those who are dis-satisfied (or who just can't go forward) with the status quo.

The second reason for this type of book goes beyond personal struggle and points to the dramatic global changes occurring in thought and ethics, particularly in the West. Leonard Sweet argues "The Dick-and Jane world of my '50's childhood is over, washed away by a tsunami of change....While the world is rethinking its entire cultural formation, it is time to find new ways of being the church that are true to our postmodern context. It is time for a Postmodern Reformation." Many believe that in order to reach the post-modern world, we need a new kind of Christianity. And despite the myriad of questions such an argument brings, not to mention whether or not it's the right question to be asking about church, it seems to me that Rob Bell is offering a lay-person's response. The Christian faith is changing - throw out the old velvet Elvis and start fresh with a new painting.

As always, his stories are fun, his arguments are (mostly) compelling, and he is authentic and genuine and full-of-zest and joy. You can nit-pick if you want, but there's plenty of wisdom to glean from Bell if you're open to it.

For the theology nerds… Many associate Bell with being a “liberal,” which is partly true – some of what he’s doing is merely re-branding a liberal interpretation of scripture and faith (which started back in 1799 with Friedrich Schleiermacher). However, it’s an unfair (or perhaps an inaccurate) label because Bell also incorporates pre-modern and post-conservative interpretations. But that’s getting into the weeds.

My biggest gripe with the book are the chapter titles. He calls them movements, but each chapter is just one stinkin’ word. And when you try to google a summary of said movements, all I could get were a whole bunch of people upset with Rob Bell for being an evangelical, who converted into a “liberal.” So I listened to it (quickly) by audiobook, and couldn’t tell you the movements if I had to. He could have done much better at communicating straightforwardly.

That being said, it was quite good. (And short!)

Recommended as an introduction for those struggling to stay going to church. Or for those feeling like they can’t keep their faith but want to. Or perhaps as an introduction to Jesus. Definitely a great introduction to Rob Bell, more than his others.
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The book definitely provided different perspectives on the Christian faith - however, I found it somewhat disjointed. ( )

A classic! ( )