Velvet Elvis

[Raven]

My daughter gave me two books by Rob Bell. The first one I'm reading is, "The Velvet Elvis". I'm an out of the box sort of fellow so his writings have appealed to me, so far. Now, I've never read a book yet that I couldn't find some fault with but overall, for you that have read it, what do you think? [ Think being a key word here. ]

Raven

[Cindy]

I don't know about the book but my husband has an oil on velvet painting of Elvis. I will say if it should somehow be destroyed I would be HAPPY. It was a birthday present from one of our daughters. I do not now nor have I ever liked Elvis.

[bethola]

I have the book, but, haven't read it yet. My son, however, loves the book. Thinks it has some really good "thinking" points. He says that he writes a little bit like Donald Miller.

I like Donald Miller's books, but, not everyone would like him. He's out of the box as well. Since I've lived most of my life "out of the box" (trust me, for MY age...that's a FEAT") his writings appeal to me.

"Velvet Elvis" is one of books earmarked for me to read this summer while I'm on
"vacation". I'll let you know then! 'Cause I've to to paint and clean before my grandbabies get here to visit!!

Beth

[crakjak]

I don't know about the book but my husband has an oil on velvet painting of Elvis. I will say if it should somehow be destroyed I would be HAPPY. It was a birthday present from one of our daughters. I do not now nor have I ever liked Elvis.

Destroying the velvet elvis is exactly what Rob Bell is talking about in the book. It may be great art work, but today they are generally only found in the basement or the attic.

[crakjak]

My daughter gave me two books by Rob Bell. The first one I'm reading is, "The Velvet Elvis". I'm an out of the box sort of fellow so his writings have appealed to me, so far. Now, I've never read a book yet that I couldn't find some fault with but overall, for you that have read it, what do you think? [ Think being a key word here. ]

Raven

I enjoy Rob Bell's writing and short videos on line, he does inspire thought, unfortunately many in our culture do not want to think. Just let me be ignorant and comfortable. "He that has the Son is free, indeed..." Hello, friend, blessing to you and yours on this fine Sunday morning.

[Cindy]

Destroying the velvet elvis is exactly what Rob Bell is talking about in the book. It may be great art work, but today they are generally only found in the basement or the attic.

I wish, we have neither an attic or a basement.:(

[Kay B]

I wish, we have neither an attic or a basement.:(

Hey y'all have a burn barrel don't you?:happydance You need a picture of snowcap mountains and deer and bears. I'll see about getting y'all a replacement for Elvis.:happydance

[Cindy]

Hey y'all have a burn barrel don't you?:happydance You need a picture of snowcap mountains and deer and bears. I'll see about getting y'all a replacement for Elvis.:happydance

Yes we do, but I still have to live with the man. ugh. And it so contrasts with our lovely musical painting with the piano and violin and that beautiful staircase.

I am still searching for the perfect tiger picture. Best one I have seen so far is only $2,000. What to do, what to do.............:bliss

[Michael Phelps]

I wish, we have neither an attic or a basement.:(

If you're done with the Velvet Elvis, I'll take it.........I need something to go on the living room wall next to the "Dogs Playing Poker".

[Cindy]

If you're done with the Velvet Elvis, I'll take it.........I need something to go on the living room wall next to the "Dogs Playing Poker".

:toofunny

I really think my husband needs a den, it is hanging in our living room. UGH.
I avoid it as much as possible!:drama

[Cindy]

I would even prefer a picture of our St. Bernard Emily. She's so cute.

[Michael Phelps]

:toofunny

I really think my husband needs a den, it is hanging in our living room. UGH.
I avoid it as much as possible!:drama

Oh........you were serious...........sorry, lol:boxing

[Kay B]

:toofunny

I really think my husband needs a den, it is hanging in our living room. UGH.
I avoid it as much as possible!:drama

Have y'all done anything to the room off the kitchen yet? That would make a great den/family room etc.
You can always buy a print cheaper than an original.
BTW when you going to post a pic of that pooch?

[Cindy]

Have y'all done anything to the room off the kitchen yet? That would make a great den/family room etc.
You can always buy a print cheaper than an original.
BTW when you going to post a pic of that pooch?

Ha! This whole house will be torn down next year. Christene's husband will probably do it for us. We are downsizing for just me and Mike. yaaaaaaahooooooo!!!! We want a little 2 bedroom, but Rosa thinks we need a 3 bedroom. Well I am going to a lot of estate sales this summer, may find a print I like. I think I will take a pic of Emily today and email it to myself, then post it here.

[Kay B]

Ha! This whole house will be torn down next year. Christene's husband will probably do it for us. We are downsizing for just me and Mike. yaaaaaaahooooooo!!!! We want a little 2 bedroom, but Rosa thinks we need a 3 bedroom. Well I am going to a lot of estate sales this summer, may find a print I like. I think I will take a pic of Emily today and email it to myself, then post it here.

Where y'all gonna put all those grandkids? Everyone getting their on places?
Sure gonna be quite around your place then.:bliss
I'd like to see some pic of the demolition. :D

[Cindy]

Where y'all gonna put all those grandkids? Everyone getting their on places?
Sure gonna be quite around your place then.:bliss
I'd like to see some pic of the demolition. :D

They will have to. We have enough land they can build their own places, or buy a trailer. We may do that ourselves, haven't really decided that yet. I am gonna ask Eric to video the demolition.......:reaction

[Cindy]

Now how do I email a pic from my cell phone? Am I gonna have to read the booklet? ughhhhhhhh! Maybe I will ask one of the kids or grandkids.

[Kay B]

Now how do I email a pic from my cell phone? Am I gonna have to read the booklet? ughhhhhhhh! Maybe I will ask one of the kids or grandkids.

:crazywalls that is one question I cannot answer. :blah

[Cindy]

Figured it out, wasn't that hard. Emailed you a copy. She is so cute.

[rgcraig]

I believe I would hang the picture in the garage.

Closer to the curb out there.

[Cindy]

Oh........you were serious...........sorry, lol:boxing

LOL yes, I was serious. It's in the corner but still..............UGH! Just knowing it's there...........:reaction

So you weren't serious about the poker playing dogs?...............:toofunny

[Michael Phelps]

LOL yes, I was serious. It's in the corner but still..............UGH! Just knowing it's there...........:reaction

So you weren't serious about the poker playing dogs?...............:toofunny

Uh, no. Mrs. Phelps would laugh her head off if I brought one of those paintings home. She probably wouldn't even let me put it in the garage.

[Cindy]

Uh, no. Mrs. Phelps would laugh her head off if I brought one of those paintings home. She probably wouldn't even let me put it in the garage.

:toofunny

Well my protests were noted but when your child gives her Dad a present. Mom just has to grin and bear it kind of.

:girlytantrum

[Sherri]

The book was ok; agreed with some of it; disagreed with some of it. I'm not a Rob Bell fan though. The Emerging Church is just a replay of the seventies Charismatic movement and we've been through all that mindset before. We definitely think "outside the box" at our church, but Rob Bell is a little too far out of the box for me. LOL!

[lad]

The book was ok; agreed with some of it; disagreed with some of it. I'm not a Rob Bell fan though. The Emerging Church is just a replay of the seventies Charismatic movement and we've been through all that mindset before. We definitely think "outside the box" at our church, but Rob Bell is a little too far out of the box for me. LOL!

I've noticed the "Emerging Church" mentioned several times in relationship with Rob Bell. I've noticed the negative comments about it (The Emerging Church) coming from the denominal arena as well ... What is the Emerging Church about?... And what is the charismatic connection that you mentioned?... just curious, I don't know much about it.

BTW... I really enjoyed the book (The Velvet Elvis)..:thumbsup:thumbsup that's why I bought it for Raven. I always enjoy books that encourage "thinking". Rob Bell does tell his readers NOT to just swallow everything he says.. but to think about it and study it for yourself... I like that attitude anyway. We definitely need to know why and what we believe... and personal study is really the only way to do that!

[Sherri]

Alot of the Charismatic movement in the late 60's/early 70's was just kind of a free for all, do what you want and speak in tongues, loose-goosey type of connection. It did develop into some very solid people who really sought after God and some tremendous Charismatic churches were raised up from it. But a lot of the start of it was unstructured. What I have seen from the Emerging Church is a lot of the same. It's typically a young group who wants the Spirit filled life, but pretty much no rules.

Maybe I'm a little biased because some of our close friends and relatives went to hear Rob Bell speak and they came back spouting some pretty scary stuff. I don't want to go into it here, but at some point, you do have to draw some lines and pursue holiness.

LISTEN TO ME - I SOUND LIKE AN ULTRA-CON!!!!!!!!!:reaction

[Raven]

Here are some quotes from "Velvet Elvis" that might provoke some discussion. I'll just give you the less radical ones first:

"The idea that everybody else approaches the Bible with baggage and agendas and lenses and I don't is the ultimate in arrogance. To think that I can just read the Bible without reading any of my own culture or background or issues into it and come out with a "pure" or "exact" meaning is not only untrue, but it leads to a very destructive reading of the Bible that robs it of its life and energy."

"Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective."

"So the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people there the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst."

"And if you do see yourself carrying God to places, it can be exhausting. God is really heavy."

[Cindy]

Here are some quotes from "Velvet Elvis" that might provoke some discussion. I'll just give you the less radical ones first:

"The idea that everybody else approaches the Bible with baggage and agendas and lenses and I don't is the ultimate in arrogance. To think that I can just read the Bible without reading any of my own culture or background or issues into it and come out with a "pure" or "exact" meaning is not only untrue, but it leads to a very destructive reading of the Bible that robs it of its life and energy."

"Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective."

"So the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people there the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst."

"And if you do see yourself carrying God to places, it can be exhausting. God is really heavy."


How does that last sentence compare with what Jesus said. My yoke is easy, and my burden light? Besides who "carries" God. I always thought it was the other way around. And is he comparing God to baggage in your opinion?

[Disciple4life]

Bump

So I went to Goodwill about a week ago and found this book "Velvet Elvis". I know who Rob Bell is. I am not a fan but I don't dislike the guy either. I just don't know enough about him to form an opinion. But I have a chance to buy one of his books for a buck. So why not.

I read the book. It has some very good points. In a couple spots I remember disagreeing with him. But anyway in more than a few spots he brings in historical context to enlighten the reader on scriptures.

To paraphrase he explains that in Jesus day a rabbis teachings were called a yoke. So when Jesus says his yoke is easy it brings on a whole new meaning.

Rob bell did this in few more spots and I thought it was amazing to hear the historical context.

I would love to read a book, find a website or find a study bible on historical context. Can anybody help me out?

Please do not respond there are tons of resources out there. If I knew where they were I would not have asked the question.

[Miss Scarlett]

Alot of the Charismatic movement in the late 60's/early 70's was just kind of a free for all, do what you want and speak in tongues, loose-goosey type of connection. It did develop into some very solid people who really sought after God and some tremendous Charismatic churches were raised up from it. But a lot of the start of it was unstructured. What I have seen from the Emerging Church is a lot of the same. It's typically a young group who wants the Spirit filled life, but pretty much no rules.

Maybe I'm a little biased because some of our close friends and relatives went to hear Rob Bell speak and they came back spouting some pretty scary stuff. I don't want to go into it here, but at some point, you do have to draw some lines and pursue holiness.
LISTEN TO ME - I SOUND LIKE AN ULTRA-CON!!!!!!!!!:reaction

And may I ask, what do you use as a guideline?

[crakjak]

Wow, it is an old thread, now folks have a lot more to demonize Bell over.

[Disciple4life]

You can call me the bumper!

No, I don't want to demonize Bell. I want to commend him for showing me stuff I never knew. The problem is I want more lessons on the historical context of scripture. :thumbsup

[crakjak]

You can call me the bumper!

No, I don't want to demonize Bell. I want to commend him for showing me stuff I never knew. The problem is I want more lessons on the historical context of scripture. :thumbsup

I was referring to some more recent Bell info, such as his book, "Love Wins".

[Disciple4life]

Love Wins, never read it. But when I can find it at Goodwill for a dollar I will probably get it. :heeheehee

[houston]

I read Love Wins last year. *yawn*

[Disciple4life]

So I read Love Wins. I found it at the library.

First let me clear something up. I am not a Christian Universalist.

Bell ask some good questions. In the end he didn't convince me.

After reading the book it is hard not to sympathize with his point of view. Do I wish everybody went to Heaven? Absolutely!

BUT everybody will be judged. Not everyone will be happy when they stand before the judgment seat.

So maybe one day Rob Bell can come out with another book and explain all of the scriptures of judgment. But until then...

I don't think Rob Bell is evil. I just think he should have addressed more of the scriptures if he wanted to win people over. :icecream