MATTHEW McNUTT

VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
By Rob Bell
Zondervan, 2005, 208 pp., $19.99 (hard cover), $14.99 (paperback)

Go buy, borrow, or steal this book immediately. Maybe not steal it, that’s not cool. But definitely get it. Bell’s Velvet Elvis inspired more reaction and conviction than anything I have read in a long time. Through his extensive knowledge of Jewish culture and language, Bell is able to draw more depth out of the New Testament than I thought previously possible. He calls into question many long standing thoughts and attitudes, brings to light new questions, and saturates the work with a love of God and awe of the thoroughness of His wisdom and plan. His unique writing style captures his speaking style perfectly; as I read the book it felt as though I was listening to him. This book captured me, and I would have finished it in record time if I didn’t have to put it down so often just so I could sit back and process what I was learning. Buy two copies, one for you and one to pass around.

This review, by me, originally appeared in the Youthworker Journal.