Miller (Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance) is a young writer,
speaker and campus ministry leader. An earnest evangelical who nearly lost his
faith, he went on a spiritual journey, found some progressive politics and
most importantly, discovered Jesus' relevance for everyday life. This book, in
its own elliptical way, tells the tale of that journey. But the narrative is
episodic rather than linear, Miller's style evocative rather than rational and
his analysis personally revealing rather than profoundly insightful. As such,
it offers a postmodern riff on the classic evangelical presentation of the
Gospel, complete with a concluding call to commitment. Written as a series of
short essays on vaguely theological topics (faith, grace, belief, confession,
church), and disguised theological topics (magic, romance, shifts, money), it
is at times plodding or simplistic (how to go to church and not get angry?
"pray... and go to the church God shows you"), and sometimes falls into merely
self-indulgent musing. But more often Miller is enjoyably clever, and his
story is telling and beautiful, even poignant. (The story of the reverse
confession booth is worth the price of the book.) The title is meant to be
evocative, and the subtitle-"Non-Religious" thoughts about "Christian
Spirituality"-indicates Miller's distrust of the institutional church and his
desire to appeal to those experimenting with other flavors of spirituality.
(July 15) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
8 of 51 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
1 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David (Chicago), November 04, 2009
Don Millers style & act is wearing thin. It is abundantly simple to critique the conventional way and offer no real ideas. 'wow I can smoke, swear and drink while discussing spiritual truths...how cool?'. His prochoice democratic stance is based on 'we will never stop abortion so let's find common ground to reduce it'. I'm glad our country didn't give up on ending slavery. Miller is articulate yet simple...a shock jock Christian. His act is steering many young people down an abuse of grace.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kacey Saltsman (Pell City, AL), October 29, 2009
This book is a must read!! It took me back to my childhood religional upbringing. I remember asking my present pastor why it was necessary to join the church. And while what he said made sense, and I joined the church, I have Still retained this idea that it was being like a business and this book dispells all of those myths. It reminds us of what Jesus' ideas and purpose was all about. What the true purpose of Christian Spirituality is.
Would that everyone could read this book maybe we could get back to the basics of Jesus. It is written with humor and Irony and
a decided critique of the spirit and love of Jesus that should be in all of us. This book has brought me back to my child-like beliefs and the grassroots of love of Christ. Back to the real, uncomplicated, simple beliefs that Christ tried so deperately to instill in all of us. It brings sanity back to Christianity.
0.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dean Noakes (Ottawa, Ontario), October 07, 2009
Rumbin', bumblin', and stumblin'. I never connected, lost interest, and now it collects dust. Go back and purchase the A.W. Tozer material right away.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dave Zarecky (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), October 06, 2009
After starting reading this book I couldn't put it down. I was laughing out loud, finding so much in common with the author, and thinking “right on!” time and time again. I could relate so much with this guy, especially his bad experiences with legalistic right-wing Christians and churches. But after getting deep into the book I was starting to wonder when the author's praises and love affair with left-wing, atheist college students and his "pot-smoking hippie” friends was ever going to end. It didn't. It was monotonous. The book in my opinion is nothing more than an advertisement for extreme left secular/spiritual liberalism with some Jesus thrown in. It looked like it was written in 1967. And for the life of me I cannot understand how a guy who says he's a follower of Jesus Christ apparently enjoys watching "South Park,” a TV sitcom that takes great pleasure in blaspheming and ridiculing Jesus Christ Himself. Frankly, that disgusted me more than anything else. Is this a "Christian" book, I wondered? There are no borders in this book; no places where a line is drawn. If it feels good just do it and have love and peace. Gimme a break. The bottom line: accolade after accolade for left-wing non-Christians. There is virtually nothing good said about Christian churches or Christians themselves (outside of his own friends). Traditional Christians are the bad guys. This could have been a fabulous book and started out as such, but ended up being a waste of my time. At first I was exciting thinking it would be a great read for young people struggling with spiritual questions. In the end, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, young or old. Such a shame.
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by X.S. Lindsey (Nashville, TN), September 17, 2009
Donald Miller is a gifted writer, no way around that. "Blue Like Jazz" is very readable, poignant, honest, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. It details Miller’s spiritual journey, which ironically, leads to so very much of what he appears to decry in the first place. For instance, the author spends so much time spouting the ills of fundamentalist Christians, when, through God-ordained experiences, he actually ends up subscribing to those very fundamentals (i.e. the doctrine of original sin, salvation through grace by faith, repentance, forgiveness of sins, the joys of tithing, and even the importance of Bible reading). However, he is quick to distance himself from “wacko Republican fundamentalists” – the author’s own words –- who, to the author, seem to be the real evil in the world. This in itself is incongruous, as Miller continually entreats his readers to love and accept everybody. Though some of his points are valid and no doubt heartfelt, Miller actually distances himself from Christianity as whole, and proposes embracing the mystery of “Christian spirituality”, in which no person “can be a Christian without being a mystic” (also the author’s own words.) From a purely mechanical perspective, Miller’s overuse of the words "crap" and "cool" tends to get a bit stale; however, when he hits his stride, his writing is compellingly conversational. "Blue Like Jazz" is a thoughtful book, a real book, an honest book –- but also a book which appears to reveal a self-serving, and at times, somewhat crude and immature outlook. In rare instances, it contains a flaky, distorted view of scripture, and tends to contradict its own theology. Miller, however, does not shy away from asking tough questions: and at the very least, encourages every believer to examine his/her own heart.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jen Little (Poplar, WI), April 23, 2009
A friend let me borrow this book. It is truly the best book I have ever read. I totally relate to the author and his views on things. God spoke to me in so many different parts of this book. I don't understand the people who have said they "just can't get into it". I am planning to read it again as soon as I get my own copy.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Danielle (New York), February 18, 2009
This book can bring a lot of healing to those of us out there who are dillusioned with the church and the legalistic pasts of our religions. This book made me fall in love with Jesus all over again. It challenged how I view other people, and reminded me what God truly calls us to do as Christians. He did not say "vote this way" or "call your congressman", God commands us to love. That is how we can really change the world.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Nnena Okeke (Houston, TX), February 03, 2009
This book changed my life! Those who found it non-biblical or evil are the pharisees of present day. Miller talks about real Christians who struggle with their sin and their need for self-justification. It is a relief from preppy southern church goers who, deep down, think they are high above everyone else. Blue Like Jazz reminded me there is a reason Paul was stoned and beaten countless times and why Peter was crucified upside down. Blue Like Jazz reminded me that my religion wasn't a religion but my relationship to a God who loves me beyond comprehension and who wants more from me then just going to church on Sunday and feeling self-righteous because I shared the gospel with x amount of people today. Blue Like Jazz reminded me that being a Christian is not owning a large house and voting a certain way. The book was radical, Jesus was radical. This book said things people are not gonna want to hear and Jesus said things people didn't wanna hear. its worth it whether you agree with it or not.
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