|
|
Title: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)
Purchase
Item
Manufacturer: Zondervan
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $6.03
|
|
| Customer Reviews: |
| Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan Reflections on Chapter Two "Yoke" - a Foundational Chapter | Based on a careful reading of chapter two "Yoke" of his "Velvet Elvis," it is clear to me that Rob Bell is working with a weak doctrine of Scripture and a truly bizarre theory of interpretation (the latter a misapplication of the concept of "binding and loosing"). As a result Bell can essentially read his own meanings "into" Scripture with impunity. In this situation the biblical text is no longer the touchstone of the conversation, even when it is cited. For the uninitiated reader, therefore, it may be difficult to discern when truly biblical ideas are being presented, and when those ideas are more attributable to other influences (modern and postmodern, cultural and counter-cultural, not to mention Bell's own "creative" proposals).
This chapter lays out foundational issues. It seems to me that if the foundation is not sound, the building that stands upon it has less chance to stay true. One can hope that this influential pastor's theology will improve with time. But the beginning, as represented here, is not auspicious.
OBJECTION #1: "Why bring up those dusty concepts like doctrine and theology?"
Response: It is true Rob Bell writes in a contemporary (almost stream-of-consciousness) style and avoids certain theological terms. However, that does not mean that Bell does not HAVE a theology, it just makes it more difficult to discern what that theology is - for his readers and perhaps even for himself.
OBJECTION #2: "We all interpret the Bible with our own biases; some of us like Bell are just honest about it."
Response part 1: True, we all have our own biases but the point is to have those biases challenged and changed by the objective meaning of Scripture. What Bell seems to do here is insulate himself from that kind of correction. Response part 2: There is less in the Bible that is truly "open to interpretation" than is normally assumed. See, for example, Mark Thompson's A Clear And Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture (New Studies in Biblical Theology) | | Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan Wonderful! | | This book was an awesome tool during group discussions with some young adults. It opened conversation and allowed for some deep personal insights to be discovered. Rob has a way of giving information and allowing you to discover your own truth. Thanks Rob! | | Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan Great for Christians with Critical Brains | | Not since Daniel Taylor's 'The Myth of Certainty' (InterVarsity Press) has a book been so encouraging to Christians with critical brains. Both authors contend that rational certainty is impossible, implying that everyone has faith in something - whether in the god(s) of a particular religious system or in the supremacy of reason and logic over metaphysical speculation. Where both Taylor and Bell use honest questioning and story telling to illustrate their points of view, Bell adds the use of scholarly exegesis to help paint a portrait of Jesus' message that challenges a host of the theological assumptions that many contemporary Christians hold (intentionally or unintentionally) without question. He presents his material in a way that invites those of us who are unsure about Christ and/or the church to see the good news of the Kingdom of God from a different (and more accurate) perspective. Bell's writing is accessible, which, when considering the weight of some of the concepts he attempts to convey, is quite a feat. 'Velvet Elvis' has the potential to be mutually encouraging to those who follow Jesus and those who do not. Needless to say at this point, I highly recommend this book. | | Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan Elvis Has Left The Building | Rob Bell is an author that makes you angry while reading his stuff - in a good way and a bad way. This is because he says something that seems so off the wall, but then he writes to show exactly what he means. So usually you are left with thinking, "Okay, I think I see the point he is trying to make." And other times he just seems flat-out wrong. This can make it a frustrating book (that, and also the fact that the book jumps around so much that there is not a lot of cohesiveness).
Also, Rob Bell makes some bold claims that seem to go against Christian thinking. Others have pointed out that he talks about it doesn't matter where there was a virgin birth or not, and that the translation may be wrong. This is a pretty bold claim, and he really has nothing to back it up with. If we are to believe the Bible, and hopefully not just pick and choose, then it seems pretty obvious that the Bible refers to a virgin birth. Read Matthew 1:18-25. In verse 18, it says that Mary "was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit." And in verse 25, it says "he [Joseph] had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." So if there is a wrong translation on the word "virgin," then I think those two verses clarify it, making his argument pointless.
Also, Rob Bell goes on later in the book talking about why he thinks that Jesus was a Rabbi. He makes very good points and illustrations as to why he believes this. I enjoyed learning how Jewish boys in villages became rabbis and how only the brightest and the best were selected to continue. I liked his connection to how if Jesus was a rabbi, how much more that would have meant when he summoned Peter and Andrew to become fishers of men. He points out that they would have not been chosen to be rabbis and thus entered the family trade as fisherman. So for Jesus, a rabbi, to choose them to follow them, would have meant everything since rabbis had proteges. It sounds all well and fine, except for one problem. The Bible talks about how Jesus was a Carpenter, like Joseph. And in Matthew 13:55, people in the synagogue asked, "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?" So if he was a rabbi, why did the crowd question where he got his wisdom from and see him as a carpenter and not a rabbi. It is points like these in Rob Bell's book that I see as off-base and wrong. These are two pretty big, glaring errors in his book.
So Rob Bell is repainting the Christian faith, but doing it in a very dangerous and irresponsible manner. Although I still enjoy some of Rob's teachings and insights, I think that this book was more miss than hit.
| | Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan Fresh Perspective on Christianity | | One of the best, most refreshing Christian books I've read in a long time. Unique perspectives. | | Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary) by Zondervan 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. |
| |
