Nooma

If you have not yet read Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis

, I highly recommend it.  It is one of the most powerful and simply written books on the Christian faith I have ever read.  I became intrigued by Rob Bell not because of the buzz about the "emergent church" (what does that mean?) but by viewing one of his touching videos. 
Bell has a way of gently prodding us into looking a little deeper and with a different lens at what Jesus taught.  It is easy to hope for a new and refreshing understanding of faith but Bell has done the hard work of actually artculating it. 
Please understand that I am highly critical of style over substance.  I just don't get style that tries so hard. For example:  tattoos.  I don't get them, don't see the value, don't have a clue why someone would want one. 

Another example are hats.  Emo musicians like to wear hats.  I don't know why.  Are their heads somehow particularly cold?  What compels someone to say "I'm playing bass for the Sunday night worship service.  I think I'll put on a little british driver cap.  Or maybe a crocheted number that allows my hair to stick out in all kinds of crazy ways?"   To me, these things are just  ultimate examples of style over substance. 
That is why I am championing Rob Bell.  When I first heard of the emergent church and the "non-structured" structure of some emergent gatherings, my friends and I quickly made fun of them as just the emo  version of  Christianity.  But when you look at the production, the perspective, and the ultimate message Bell is putting forth, it is highly substantive. 
For example, Bell discusses shame in his video "Lump" in a way I have not heard from any pulpit.  And it is right on theologically. 
Yeah, I am a slow adapter to these movements.  But I don't care.  Just let me know what you think.