http://www.prodigalsonmagazine.com/free/2005/09/velvet_elvis.php1. Review :: Velvet ElvisWe have to test everything. I thank God for anybody anywhere who is pointing people to the mysteries of God. But those people would all tell you to think long and hard about what they are saying and doing and creating. Test it. Probe it. Do that to this book. Don't swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I’m a Christian and I’m trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn’t mean I’ve got it nailed. I’m contributing to the discussion. God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?

Review:
From start to finish, this book had me captivated, intrigued and ready for a revolution. Bell has a way with making his words and illustrations come to life, so much so that as I was listening to the audio book on a 4 hour drive home, I did not even notice one of the most unbelievable lighting storms the Midwest has seen for decades right out my car window. I was caught up in his teaching, and theology. Finally, someone from the church was telling me stripped down to the bone truth, and I loved every minute of it.
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2. Review :: Underoath
Generally, I have always felt that Christian music has tried to emulate the styles of the world around it. Very rarely has it ever made any strides on its own. Most often, I have found that it ‘goes with the flow’ of whatever musical fashion is popular, seldom being viewed as trend setting. In fact, I recall my metal years when I was young, I listened to Sacred Warrior (a Christian band that ‘sounded like’ Iron Maiden), Living Sacrifice (who sounded like Slayer), and many other Christian artists that served as the Church’s ‘answer’ to the worldly expressions of teen angst and rebellion. But, fortunately times have changed. It is not too uncommon to find Christian bands not only on secular labels, but leading the way to new musical horizons that have been otherwise unexplored.

One such band is Tampa Florida’s Underoath. With vocals that range from brooding testimonials of haunting melody lines to gut-wrenching screams (that would rip the paint off of any typical hard rock club) and soothingly brutal guitar riffs, Underoath is clearly breaking new ground for not only the Christian scene but the music scene as well. Their newest release, They’re Only Chasing Safety (the fourth album from these rising stars) has a heart-felt passion coupled with an unleashed aggressive force that promises to deliver the goods for those who like good hardcore/emo music. It is indeed a must for any fan of Christian music with a hardcore edge, even if it does have a tender side. Indeed, with this album one may get confused as to the proper emotional response, not knowing whether to cry one’s eyes out or to beat one’s chests.
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3. Review :: Searching for God Knows What
Want to hear an honest opinion about the local church? How about this one:

“Religion is a big, beautiful, ugly thing. I read recently where Augustine said. ‘The church is a whore and it is my mother.’ And for reasons I don’t understand, Jesus loves the church.� (213)

Searching for God Knows What is Donald Miller’s honest journey to rediscover God. This rediscovery would not be necessary if not for the countless attempts of religious zealots who would rather push their formulaic expressions of the Divine onto people, than to let the person of Christ shine through to the innermost parts of the soul. Miller strips doctrinal positions down to what they were originally intended to beâ€"catalysts into a relationship with the Creator. The Bible is not a manuscript of mathematical expressions and belief statements, but a living document that expresses the unique situation we humans find ourselves in. Our souls yearn to be reconnected with the peace of Eden, but must wade through the garbage dump of comparing and contrasting one another to make ourselves feel better about who we are. As Miller points out “It is as if the voice God use to have has been taken up by less credible voices…it’s just that other people’s opinions, after the Fall, have become very important…â€? (95)
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