Change for the Next Generation
I’m reading “Velvet Elvis,” a book by Rob Bell. It’s a wonderfully eloquent book about the power of change, and the need for every generation to discover their own way of expression. As a pastor, he focuses the book on the Christian faith. But the principles work in any group – company, business, church, or religious organization. I’m faced with this challenge everytime an organization we consult with transitions to the next generation, or the time comes to re-energize a company with fresh, new branding or creative. Rob uses the illustration of an old velvet Elvis painting he found in his basement, and takes the perspective from the world of art:
“Here’s what happens: Somebody come along who has a fresh perspective on the Christian faith. People are inspired. A movement starts. Faith that was stale and dying is now alive. But then the pioneer of the movement – the painter – dies and the followers stop exploring. They mistakenly assume that their leader’s words were the last ones on the subject, and they freeze their leader’s words. They forget that as that innovator was doing his or her part to move things along, that person was merely taking part in the discussion that will go on forever. And so in their commitment to what so-and-so said and did, they end up freezing the faith.
What gets lost is the truth that whoever painted that version was just like us, searching for God and experiencing God and trying to get a handle on what the Christian faith looks like. And then a new generation comes along living in a new day and a new work, and they have to keep the tradition going or the previous paintings are going to end up in the basement.
The tradition then is painting, not making copies of the same painting over and over. The challenge of the art is to take what was great about the previous paintings, and incorporate that into new paintings.
And in the process, make something beautiful – for today.”
And here’s Rob’s key sentence about change: “It’s not that there isn’t any truth in it or that all the people before them were misguided or missed the point. It’s just that every generation has to ask the difficult questions of what it means to be a Christian here and now, in this place, at this time.”
From a visual media standpoint, Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos are really interesting as well.
Velvet Elvis is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. It really challenges your thoughts, beliefs, and even your purpose. I love the section where he asks if we would still be a follower of Christ even if evidence came up that Jesus was married and had children. Would it weaken our faith? Would it change our beliefs? Do we believe in and follow Christ only because it all "adds up" or because we each have had a personal experience with God? It really makes you think…
Phil, this is probably the most impactful book I've read all year, infact, I've read it about 4 times over now. I keep finding new things I didn't the last time I read it. It will truly make you think. His new book, Sex God, is equally good and not exactly what you expect it to be by the title. I downloaded the audio of both of them from the iTunes Store, he reads them himself and they are a fantastic listen especially if you have a long car or plane commute coming up.
While Bell may be fine-I don't know for sure, but it might not hurt to check out some suspect things he's said and see if it lines up with Scripture..I'm a little alarmed that this blog is so highly praising of this potentially dangerous work..
-In his road show, he dismisses creationism….
Stuff by Bell…(wow, the book is shaky at best) Inspiration and Hermeneutics
Sola Scriptura
Heaven and Hell
The Fall
Ultimate Reality
[edit] Criticism of doctrinal method
"According to Mr. Bell there are two ways to approach doctrine: as a brick or a spring. The brick approach to doctrine is solid, unmoving and unchanging. It has no life. It is the wrong approach. A spring has life; it is flexible, and it is constantly changing. Rob Bell believes all doctrines are springs. By embracing such a view of doctrine and truth Mr. Bell drives a wedge between reality and doctrinal truth. He creates a paradox where there isn't one. Bell views doctrines as 'statements about our faith that help give words to the depth that we are experiencing.'" [1]
"It's about empty empires and the truth that everybody's a priest, it's about oppression, occupation, and what happens when Christians support, animate and participate in the very things Jesus came to set people free from."-Bell's upcoming book..
Now, Didn't Jesus come to set us free from our sins! I think we are all sinners!
erie, how quite it got on this topic…I thought someone who thinks so highly of Mr Bell..(many here) would have something to say…I agree that relevance is important, but not at the expense of changing the message..which is what it seems he is clearly doing-God’s Word doesn’t change…maybe how it’s presented, but his subtle and not so subtle changes should be carefully examined in light of God’s Word…
Nanny911
Thanks for pointing out Rob Bell's flawed thinking. (I'd use the word "heresy," but I have a feeling that's not allowed among emergent types.) Rob Bell preaches a false gospel, and adds works to it besides.
My college-age daughter had a good insight into Bell's bricks and springs analogy (actually he prefers "trampoline" to "spring.") She simply asked, "What's the trampoline resting on?"
For Bell, apparently, it's resting on another trampoline, upon another trampoline, etc. ad infinitum. Me, I prefer my trampolines to be firmly fixed, preferably on a brick or concrete foundation.
… oh, and forgot to add. Bell's explanation of how we got the New Testament betrays a profound historical ignorance. Frankly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Living in Western Michigan, I have had the good fortune to have heard Rob speak many times, and unlike most teachers/preachers, I remember main points of each of those messages. The man is a gifted speaker, and has an amazing grasp of Hebrew culture and ties that in exceedingly well in his messages.
Some of my good friends here do the same as nanny911 – seek out the suspect things he has said or written in order to discredit the entire ministry. (Reminds me of Hank Hankegraaff going after Benny Hinn).
I am not blindly supporting Rob, and I am no fan of bad theology, but if you look at the entirety of the man’s ministry you have to admit he is reaching people that most of our churches never reach with the gospel.
Pray for the man, if he is in error, maybe God has someone who can open that discourse with him in an intelligent, loving way.
What surprises me is how no one has thrown about Rob’s famous marketing quote from this book.
Yes, I read it… and Sex God… and the Noomas (which are good but not earthshaking… but compared to what most pastor/teachers are doing they are Oscar worthy).
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