Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis

A little over a month ago, I finished a book by Mars Hill Bible Church (Grandville, MI) pastor Rob Bell. I would like to make a few comments.

I recommend Velvet Elvis to anyone who has been a Christian for longer than about three years.

Bell makes several statements and suggestions which are extremely counter-orthodox. For example, in the fifth chapter of Velvet Elvis, Bell explains what he sees as the correct understanding of Jesus use of the term "Gates of Hell." He claims that a large crack in a cliff at Caesarea Philippi was a place surrounded by much superstition and cult activity, and thus the cliff was referred to as the gates of hell. Whether or not the history is correct ( I have no reason to believe that Bell is incorrect), the assertion of the sections seems to be that hell may not be an actual place, but rather a cultural response to local beliefs. Also, throughout the book there is not one reference as to how a person actually finds new life (if there was such a reference, it was either too vague or too foreign to recognize).

For such reasons, I do not think Velvet Elvis is healthy for young believers to read.

However, I highly recommend the book to those of you more grounded in your doctrine! Much of Bell's book was extremely helpful to me.

A large portion of the book is dedicated to what might be called a social gospel. In many circles (including my own broad circle) the social gospel is somewhat looked down on; people maintain the promotion of works and needs waters down and or hinders the "true" gospel. Bell, I think, masterfully integrated the two. He explained that following Christ leads to evangelism, discipleship, and social reform; helping people individually and communally overflows from seeking Christ.

Perhaps Bell leans harder on "social issues" than many conservative evangelicals, but what he promoted in Velvet Elvis deeply affected the way I think about such aspects of being a Christian.

Chapter four was by far my favorite chapter of the book. Titled "Tassels," the chapter is a thorough examination of the Christian's life being focused on God as opposed to self.

I should add that I have listened to Rob Bell (Sermon Podcasts -free subscription) for a few months now, and I have found him to be much more conservative and committed to expository preaching (though neither traditional nor familiar) than many believe. In fact, in endnote (footnote) 24, Bells suggests reading "everything John Piper has ever written...."

So while Velvet Elvis should be read critically, we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater!
I hope all of you attain a copy of the book and read it thoroughly! May growth ensue: Velvet Elvis.

(I am looking forward to reading Bell's second book, Sex God, this summer.)

Philosophy of Life

I am excited to articulate my personal philosophy of life. However, I should note that I never want to set anything in stone, concerning my walk with Christ—which is life as a whole, for me. I desire to continually be reforming my life to the image of Christ, and not to allow my self to become stagnate or even comfortable. In essence, this is my philosophy of life: reformation of my life and transformation of my mind.

I think that theology must shape my life if I am to be faithful to Scripture’s call to Christocentricity; how I view God is fundamental to who I am and who I become. I believe that faith in God is essential for salvation, and that salvation can only take place through the atoning work of Christ crucified. My philosophy on this matter, then, is to abide in God’s grace, and to live a life of repentance and faith in Christ. I believe that in His infinite wisdom, God chose to save me by no merit of my own, whatsoever. Knowing this I must continually be humbled by my utter dependence on and in Christ, and never stop thanking and praising Him for His love and grace; thanking and praising Him with words and actions.

Seeking God to the best of my ability will greatly affect my view of ethics. Ethics, for me, is not (or should not be) about what or what not to do. Rather, ethics is the outworking of an internal relationship with God. My opinion is that if I have a healthy, growing relationship with the Father, major and minor decisions are worked out naturally though a Christ-shaped mind.

I think missions should be a primary focus in every Christian’s life. I think a common misconception of missions is that missionaries, foreign or abroad, are full time, vocational mission workers. If I give money to support missions work, I am participating in the work just as much as those who are carrying out the physical work; all of the money I earn is a gift from God, and giving part of it to furthering the Good News and discipleship only seems fitting and natural.

So I arrive at my goal—not arriving at my goal! My life philosophy is also, and more correctly, my theology: to live a life reformed, and reforming.