velvet elvis quote
Jan 15th, 2008 by Nathanael
I read Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis when it first came out. But my friend Dan Fisher just hooked me up with the audio version, read by Rob, which I am listening to in my car and thoroughly enjoying.
Here’s a great quote. Rob is writing about how everyone, including atheists, believe in something. Everyone is following someone.
“Some people believe we were made by a creator who has plans and purposes for his creation, while others believe there is no greater meaning to life, no grand design, and we exist not because of some divine intention but because of random chance. This is not a discussion between people of faith and people who do not have faith. Both perspectives are faith perspectives, built on systems of belief. The person who says we are here by chance and there is no greater meaning has just as many beliefs as the person who says there’s a creator. Maybe even more.
“Think about some words that are used in these kinds of discussions, one of the most common being the phrase ‘open-minded’. Often the person with spiritual conviction is seen as close-minded and others are seen as open-minded. What is fascinating to me is that at the center of the Christian faith is the assumption that this life isn’t all there is. That there is more to life than the material. That existence is not limited to what we can see, touch, measure, taste, hear, and observe. One of the central assertions of the Christian world-view is that there is ‘more’. Those who oppose this insist that this is all there is, that only what we can measure and observe and see with our eyes is real. There is nothing else. Which perspective is more ‘close-minded’? Which perspective is more ‘open’?”
“…As a Christian, I am simply trying to orient myself around living a particular kind of way, the kind of way that Jesus taught is possible. And I think that the way of Jesus is the best possible way to live.
“I’m convinced being generous is a better way to live.
“I’m convinced forgiving people and not carrying around bitterness is a better way to live.
“I’m convinced having compassion is a better way to live.
“I’m convinced pursuing peace in every situation is a better way to live.
“I’m convinced listening to the wisdom of others is a better way to live.
“I’m convinced being honest with people is a better way to live.
“…everybody follows somebody, and I’m trying to follow Jesus.” (pages 19-21)
