Miller, Donald - Blue Like Jazz

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I haven't actually finished the book yet, but perhaps it's time for a thread here for it. It was brought to my mind again this morning as I was reading the monthly Communicator (sent out by Nazarene Publishing House to all churches and pastors) and saw the book quoted. Actually, as I'm looking at it now, I can't tell if it's a quote actually from the book, or just from Donald Miller.

Either way, Blue Like Jazz is a book that's getting more and more exposure in many young adult groups, Sunday School classes, and undergraduate religion classes. Donald Miller walks through his own Christian experience throughout his life telling various personal experiences, giving analogies, and asking for fresh thinking and living of the Christian faith.

I've only read a bit of it so far (a young adult group in my church is reading it). So far I haven't been greatly impacted, but I really need to give the whole book a chance before commenting. My wife read the whole thing and enjoyed it.

I will say that I am glad that Miller is challenging us in the way that he is. I'll try and post a review later when I've actually finished it.

[Gina Stevenson]

Aside from self-analyzation that Miller seems to be doing in this book, is he perhaps also a musician, using such an analogy for a title? When I first saw your post title, I tho't it was going to be something re music [but then that might be how another musician "thinks" initially ;)].

Anyway, it sounds like it would be an interesting read; it will go into my "book/movie recommendations" file folder. Thanks, Jeremy.

I haven't actually finished the book yet, but perhaps it's time for a thread here for it. It was brought to my mind again this morning as I was reading the monthly Communicator (sent out by Nazarene Publishing House to all churches and pastors) and saw the book quoted. Actually, as I'm looking at it now, I can't tell if it's a quote actually from the book, or just from Donald Miller.

Either way, Blue Like Jazz is a book that's getting more and more exposure in many young adult groups, Sunday School classes, and undergraduate religion classes. Donald Miller walks through his own Christian experience throughout his life telling various personal experiences, giving analogies, and asking for fresh thinking and living of the Christian faith.

I've only read a bit of it so far (a young adult group in my church is reading it). So far I haven't been greatly impacted, but I really need to give the whole book a chance before really commenting. My wife read the whole thing and really enjoyed it.

I will say that I am glad that Miller is challenging us in the way that he is. I'll try and post a review later when I've actually finished it.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

CNN is running this story about author and his thoughts:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/24/best.selling.christian.ap/index.html

Wilson

[Eric Frey]

Tony the beat poet is the best character!

Take note of the campus confessional too!

[Thomas Oord]

Jeremy,

I recommend Blue Like Jazz for the way the book initiates conversations. We need opportunities for honest, fair, and stimulating conversations about things that make us think in new ways.

And it apparently appeals to a wide range of readers. My 60+ year-old mom loved Blue Like Jazz!

Tom

[Hans Deventer]

I read the book during my vacation. I can understand how it is helpful for discussion. There's some good stuff in there.

[Heidi Anderson]

This book (and the Holy Spirit) was the catalyst for our dreaming, planning and finally opening Mosaic...a community coffeehouse in the basement of our church (www.mosaiccoffeehouse.org).

We read it during an "underground" Bible Study - called Underground cause we thought we were cool! :laughing

[Ken Pell]

This book (and the Holy Spirit) was the catalyst for our dreaming, planning and finally opening Mosaic...a community coffeehouse in the basement of our church (www.mosaiccoffeehouse.org).

We read it during an "underground" Bible Study - called Underground cause we thought we were cool! :laughing

Catching up on some reviews ... I read this book a couple of years back and have recently visited it again (I did not completely re-read it).

I love the writing style. I enjoy the way faith is expressed in life and lifestyle and the willingness to risk as an expression of living one's faith.

My concerns are similar (and may appear contradictory) in that it seems a bit too open at times. It seems that lifestyle defines faith. I do think life informs and expands faith but to allow it to define it seems a bit much for me. I think Miller could have come to radically different theological conclusions via the same experiences. He happened to interpret his experiences and come out with a rather evangelical response but it could just as easily resulted in something other.