This entry is about two things (or, er, one person and one thing): a young mother named Elly and a book review on Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Actually, I’m only halfway through the book, and I know it’s not really customary to review a book before you finish reading it…so I guess it’s a review of the first half of the book.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing about both Elly and Velvet Elvis in the same entry is that they are related…not, like, blood relations, but idea-wise. At least, they are somewhat connected in my head…am I losing anyone, yet?
Elly has been a dear friend for years. Since she has no parents, she’s sort of adopted us (we’re godparents to her two kids, who call us “Mimi and Papa”–at least, the one who can talk does), and Elly is very much like a daughter to us. Several years ago I had the privilege of marrying her to her husband Robert (whom I may talk about some other time)–hence the two children. But I digress…
_______
Enter Rob Bell and Velvet Elvis. I’ve avoided reading this book for some time because several reviews I read challenged the soundness of Bell’s theology. I finally purchased the book because it’s very popular with postmodern, emergent-type people, and I felt I needed to at least be versed in it.
Before I even got a chance to read, I saw one of Bell’s short films in the Nooma series, and I liked what I heard/saw. This prompted me to visit the Nooma website (http://www.nooma.com/), and when I looked at Bell’s bio…lo and behold, most of his suggested reading is about Jewish roots. Some of these books are even part of Elly’s master’s curriculum! By this time, I couldn’t even finish the book I was working on before starting Velvet Elvis.
Now, having gone through about half the book, while Bell does make some pretty provocative statements that need to be grappled with…I can understand why some folks don’t care for his theology: Rob Bell–this young, hip, postmodern, emergent pastor–views the Scripture the way a Hebrew would. And that’s significant.
See, most of us Euro-Americans (and the western church) think like the Greco-Roman culture. Greco-Roman thought is very linear–one plus one always equals two. Things get labeled, compartmentalized, and systematized (ever hear the term “systematic theology”?). Hebraic thought is more three-dimensional, more integrated and “messy”, and can entertain several perspectives at once. To a Greek thinker, the Bible is a document you have to make sense of; to a Hebraic thinker, the Scriptures are living and must be interpreted and re-interpreted. For obvious reasons, this way of viewing Scripture is a stumbling block to many modern theologians–thus, the challenges to Rob Bell’s viewpoint. But honestly, most of the people who wrote the Bible thought like Hebrews because they were Hebrews. I think that should play a part in how we view what they wrote, don’t you?
_____
So all that said…although I’m still grappling with some of Bell’s remarks, I have to recommend Velvet Elvis to you. (Of course, if the second half of the book proves to be heresy, I guess I’ll have to write back….) Thank you, Elly. And thank you, Rob Bell.
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
View all posts by Wayward Son →
Your review is the second one I’ve read, both recommending this book. I’ll have to pick up a copy.
The rest of Rob’s book is excellent. We saw him live a few months back whilst he was visiting the UK. He is a very humble guy.
I think Velvet Elvis, like most books, has one or two things I don’t necessarily agree with, but on the whole, it is another book which encourages readers to think outside the box.