Velvet Elvis: Free-Falling into Darkness - Rated 
What I did like: The font was very aesthetically pleasing, the cover was kind of nice, the size of the book was very easy to handle
What I did not like: Aside from several grammatical errors (I know I am not perfect at this, either), misquotes and taking multiple things out of context, and an irritating habit of beginning new paragraphs at the wrong times, on the content of the book I was just not impressed.
A more apt title would be, Velvet Elvis: Falling into Darkness. He could even keep the cover picture as the new title would fit well with it.
After even the first few chapters of the book, I was confused about Mr. Bell's message. Some snippets did sound biblically correct. When I say "Biblically correct," I mean to speak of the generally accepted, basic Christian doctrines - Trinity, Sin, etc. Intermingled with these, however, were questionable theologies including use of the following:
- A strange analogy of building one's faith on a trampoline (when Christ tells us to build our faith on the Solid Rock)
- Use of quotes from unbelievers, who he calls "theologians" in a positive sense
- A severe lack of quotes from the Bible - for a book that calls itself Christian. Actually, that goes along with his line that the Bible is ambiguous.
- That God's aim in growing us in the knowledge of Him is for OUR joy - not His (which is a new and strange doctrine and has no biblical basis)
- Making claims that something or idea is in the Bible without giving reference, which is a practice I have never, ever seen; but these claims are very foreign and off-the-wall, really, so I don't think he would be able to back it up
- other items that I will not go into detail on
This is definitely new theology and does not seem to be grounded. Of course, he does not seem to think anything of grounded faith - flying high on the trampoline is more his preference. He sends a mixed message about those of us who are seemingly 'inflexible' in what we believe about God, who he calls "Brickworld" dwellers. He defines these (generally) as those who do take the Bible as the Word of God, that what it says is true, that doctrine is important (even when two True Churches disagree on practical issues). He says that they have a place in the Kingdom and that these things are good. But then he turns around and attacks their ideas and sometimes calls them narrow. That includes people with ideas such as six-twenty-four-hour-day Creationists (absolutely mis-quoting Ken Ham); he suggests that the Reformed beliefs as they were are no longer acceptable for today (using the "because today is so different" argument), and that the Reformers had no intention of us following the light that they had but to create our own painting using them as a minor influence (obviously he has not read much in the way of their writings).
Strange arguments for believing his way, these are.
To me, it actually sounds more like the teachings of Buddhism or Hinduism. The God of this book seems to be more like the Hindu Brahma. It is well known that you can worship "Jesus" as a Hindu, if you like - though, obviously this is not the Jesus of the Bible.
I cannot tell if the man is really a Christian or not. I will not judge the heart. I hope he is and he does sound like he might be. But I do have serious doubts that should a non-Christian can come to him asking the Way that Mr. Bell would be able - or should I say willing - to give an definitive answer. I could be wrong, but he might respond with something lofty like, "just begin your journey with trying to love God." How that person will come to love God, I would have no idea - since he questions the authority of the Bible (or rather surreptitiously encourages people to do so).
Yes, we can and will have doubts in life. Yes, there is mystery in living for Christ, but it is NOT ALL mystery! Please do not replace your diligent study of the Scriptures for "embracing the mystery for all it is." How firm a Foundation is laid for our faith in His Word!
"...ask for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. ..." Jeremiah 6.16
People have died (in the past and present) defending the truths of the Bible and this man is trying to create "Christians" who have no idea what Truth is or what it means to be a Christian, much less live as one.
I would recommend that if you are that curious, do read this for yourself - buy the cheapest used one and then sell it on Amazon again. It is not worth shelving alongside your Bible and commentaries and DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY DO NOT GIVE IT TO A YOUNG OR NON- CHRISTIAN! Discernment must be had before one dives into this man's strange (and possibly heretical) teachings. I would classify this as a slippery-slope book.
If you are curious about how to understand the Bible, I would suggest that you buy a commentary - such as Matthew Henry's - and see what he says about confusing passages. Being a human, surely he will be wrong on some issues. Mr. Bell underestimates the usefulness of books such as these and talking to more traditional pastors. He would have you use all the worldy resources you can (tv/movie stars, pop stars, athletes, and religious leaders of other faiths). He underestimates the usefulness in believing how others have believed before. If you are a Christian, you can bet that the Holy Spirit will work in you, in conjunction with various teachers, and that you can have your foundation of bricks, allowing God to lay them and remove them at will. When He does that, you can bet that your house will not crumble because He is the one Who built it.
A voice of one calling in the desert... - Rated 
I've been questioning where I'm going as a 40 something Christian disillusioned with the mediocrity of my life and the Church compared with the vibrant and radical life that Jesus led - and wondering how in the world does one follow Jesus in the 21st Century.
Well Brian McClaren beat down a few walls (why I'm a....), Doug Pagitt (Church Re-imagined) inspired and Dallas Willard (The Divine Conspiracy) put a Theological framework around it. (All recommended)
But finally I found Rob Bell, and he nails it, succinctly, and with grace. He explains with depth and breadth in a very few pages, and without realising it the book is ended and you have been re-inspired.
Where to go next is a tricky question - but you can always plug in to the podcast from Mars Hill where he speaks most weeks... And if you're looking for radical, Rob put me on to Shane Claiborne....
Eye opening - Rated
I was given this book by a close friend, he suggested I read it and might benefit from it. He himself had it given to him by a complete stranger he met on a plane at the other side of the world. Normally I would take a while to read a book suggested by a friend, but in this case it felt personal, so I promptly read it.
I remember reading and re-reading the first chapters, I was that enthralled. Rob Bell's way of looking at the Christian Faith is refreshing and fit in well with beliefs I already held dear, as well as opening my eyes to new ways of thinking. In the weeks following my reading of this book I found that when I spoke from the heart about my faith I had absorbed some of Rob Bell's key points. The author also points out that the book itself must not be simply all taken in without questioning, it is refreshing to be reminded of that when reading such an excellent book.
I could not do this book justice with a review, I suggest you either borrow or buy this book and read it for yourself. I leant mine to a friend (something I never do, especially considering this copy isn't mine) and fully intend to buy my own copy, it is definitely worth it.
life changing stuff. - Rated
This book is, quite simply, amazing. The theology is freshly written and imaginatively explored; pulled off through a light tone which makes the book sound like a conversation with a wise Christian best friend. It contains a number of warnings and challenges for today's church as well as being quite simply inspirational.
It stands head and shoulders above every other Christian book I've read; everyone should read this book.
I was knocked off my chair over and over and......... - Rated
Velvet Elvis, I am part of the small percetage in this world that does not like any of elvis's songs so when i read the title i thought, no way, but i was drawn to buy it. Boy!!!i read it all in one night i had never read anything that gets your mind thinking, heart moving, spirit yearning and soul searching (all at the same time) about what interpretations are made in the bible and why every one that makes the interpretations is convinced there are right. It has taught me to ASK, QUESTION, PONDER, DIGEST, READ ABOUT, SUGGEST, ACCEPT, ...the list goes on, but in short I no longer, as a new Christian just accept everything that a "critically acclaimed" preacher is sooo right all the time (as long as he is my pastor kind of mentally). They are human beings as well waiting to here from God to understand about what they have read in the Bible .......
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