The runaway New York Times bestseller that became a cornerstone of Christian nonfiction, Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption. "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve...Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way. I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." Donald Miller was raised in a strict Texas denomination where he ...
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The runaway New York Times bestseller that became a cornerstone of Christian nonfiction, Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption. "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve...Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way. I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." Donald Miller was raised in a strict Texas denomination where he was only vaguely familiar with a distant God. When he grew older, he ran all the way to the least-religious university in the US: Rice College in Portland, Oregon. Still, God pursued him. When he came to know Jesus, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. However, within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, non-judgmental, and soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey with and back to the infinitely loving God, helping you... discover how the Christian faith is still relevant in a postmodern culture; learn how to have a genuine encounter with a God who is real; and enjoy a renewed sense of passion for your life. Blue Like Jazz is a gentle, honest resource for those curious about the Christian faith, or new to it, and offers a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption.
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You may already be familiar with the term "Christian spirituality." You may not. But by the time you finish this book, you'll have the equivalent of a doctorate in the subject.
Miller writes for all those who have ever wished for a more personal walk with God. He is uncomfortable with "Christianity" as it has become in the mainstream - the plastic Jesus game played by so many who claim His name. He yearned for a more personal, more intimate experience with God than he had found in the typical tradition-bound church with its prescribed order of service and its spaghetti suppers. And when he found it, he says, he finally felt like the spiritual nature of Christianity was real and worth pursuing.
Miller is the C.S. Lewis of the experiential Gospel; as Lewis explained in practical terms how God relates to man and what so many foundational doctrines mean, Miller shares personal anecdotes and other stories to illustrate in a very personal and approachable way what it's like to search for a "real" spirituality amidst so many different versions of Christianity out there.
Occasionally, parts of the book come across as a bit wishy-washy. (Miller hardly seems one to stand on a bit of doctrine and demonstrate its foundational importance to Christian faith; he prefers to deal in experiential notions of how God makes Himself real to various people.) But overall, it's a refreshing look at one young man's journey to reconcile the truths of Christianity with living in today's multicultural, post-postmodern world. If you've ever felt your walk with God comes too much from Sunday School lessons and too little from Him personally touching your life day by day, this book offers hope.
To be heartily recommended, with the *small* caveat that the true Christian God is surely a God of eternal truths and doctrines as much as he is personal, subjective experience.
Robo
Jul 2, 2009
doubter's guide
This and other books by this author have become "a doubter's guide to the universe" especially of christianity and the organized church. His style is quick, funny and a bit off the wall. If you have ever wondered about deciding to be a christain inspite of the church, read this.
iamkjb
Jun 19, 2009
a book full of highlights, underlines, and notes!
there were many "WOW" moments during this book. i really enjoyed reading it.
Rosanne
Aug 30, 2008
Honest and thought-provoking
Probably one of the most unusual "Christian" books I have ever read, this will shake you up and get you defining what you believe, and why. This is an honest account of a spiritual journey that could apply to anyone brought up in the church and wondering why they were there. Provocative and funny, sad and hopeful, this one'll get you thinking.
cknipple
Aug 9, 2007
simply lifechanging
This book changed the way I viewed my world. As someone who grew up in the church, I can identify keenly with the struggle to understand your faith. Yet that part of me that always held itself back from God, the little part of me that wasn't christian, that part met its end in this book. His logic, reasoning, and examples make it impossible for me to find fault with anything that he says. This book is a must read for anyone who finds themselves disagreeing with their preacher/pastor, but doesn't know why or what to do.
