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Mitch Nichols's Reviews > Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality (Paperback)
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If you pick up Miller's book looking for writing that is chock-filled with passages of Scripture or full of deep and nuanced passages of doctrine and theology then you will be disappointed. But if you approach the book as one man's journey to faith told in a friendly and humorous manner then you will enjoy Blue Like Jazz. Admittedly I approached the book from my very Conservative Evangelical subculture with a little trepidation. Miller uses ideas, terms and political viewpoints that will make the majority of conservative Christians bristle and he pokes at some of the "sacred cows" e.g. Republicanism is next to godliness. But Miller will take you on a journey worth the price of the book and asks some very needful and poignant questions about what baggage we saddle the Gospel with to it's detriment. Are there things in the book that maybe Miller will re-think as the Holy Spirit works in his life? Probably, but hopefully that can be said of you and I as well. I like the book enough to potentially give it to a seeker or someone turned off by the small C "christianity" that subscribes to a group think-you must be assimilated mentality. Miller didn't write it to be a definitive treatise on theological or doctrinal truths...he wrote it to express the need for a little more humility and a bolder testimony before the watching world.
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Stephen
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Feb 26, 2011 10:47AM
I read this a couple of years ago. He even mentions an encounter with a BJU student. I won't influence you on what I thought of the book.
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Honestly it made me laugh...
hm... Your review amazed me. And it's very intresting to hear your opinion about "A crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov
Amazed you in what manner? I wrestled with giving it 2 stars or 3. I think Miller is a little too hard overall on the church, flawed as it may be.
Mitch wrote: "Amazed you in what manner? I wrestled with giving it 2 stars or 3. I think Miller is a little too hard overall on the church, flawed as it may be."I think as well. But about this book I'll say it's just isn't good and I hope Miller has better book...
I reviewed it in context of the religious subculture that exists in my region of North America. Miller pointed out some caricatures that exist within that subculture that we conveniently overlook or choose to ignore. Yes, the writing style for this book borders on sophomoric, but I don't regret buying it or reading it. It appears you rated it with four stars so I am curious why you gave it 4 out of 5 if you didn't think it wasn't that good? Thank you BTW for reading my review and commenting. I have discussed this book with others and there is definitely a mixed bag of opinions on the book. In hindsight maybe my review should have included the comment that I would give this to a seeker as a "gateway" book to something meatier like C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" or "The Abolition of Man" or possibly Keller's "The Reason for God" or Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship".
"I think Miller is a little too hard overall on the church, flawed as it may be". Woow, you find hard books bad ?
Bobby, about "A crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov. It's a big difference between Obraztsov and Miller. Because Obraztsov is trying to write for people and it makes him easy to understand. Miller is living in his own world and it's creating some problems to understand his thoughts.
Melissa, no I do not find hard books bad, I actually make it a point to read books that don't match up with my worldview e.g. books by atheists, agnostics or nihilists. I think you misunderstood my comment. When I said he was "hard overall on the church" I felt he was not supporting an institution that God loves and ordained. I am constantly frustrated by organized religion but I don't believe we should give up on it completely. And I am not focusing on a specific denomination or organization Per se, but a body of believers.
I am curious if either of you have read any Francis Schaeffer? His Trilogy might interest you (The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason & He Is There and He is Not Silent).
Mitch wrote: "I am curious if either of you have read any Francis Schaeffer? His Trilogy might interest you (The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason & He Is There and He is Not Silent)."OK :) I have nothing to read, so tomorow I begin your book . I definetely like the describtion of it. And I'll post a review in 1 or 2 weeks. Anyway, I love your critic with logic.
Melissa wrote: "Mitch wrote: "I am curious if either of you have read any Francis Schaeffer? His Trilogy might interest you (The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason & He Is There and He is Not Silent)."OK :) I..."
Pay attention to "A crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov. I'm waitiong for your critical review. Because I've heard about this book a lot of very controversional opinions... and. of course, I have my own opinion.
I promise to check it out. I just downloaded a new one on my Kindle that I have to get through first. It is called "Mere Churchianity". It should be a quick read.
Mitch wrote: "I promise to check it out. I just downloaded a new one on my Kindle that I have to get through first. It is called "Mere Churchianity". It should be a quick read."ok :)
Have you read his second book Searching for God Knows What? I don't think Miller is a great writer or author, but the content of this second book is what is so important-it answers so many questions & is so deep in truth.
