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.)