Hmmm. I really wanted to like this book.

I just thought that it was fake edgy the whole time. Maybe that poser-ness comes from just the age of the book. What was edgy then is kinda chill now (smoking pot, reading old books, liberals etc.).

It loses a star because he mentions Mark Driscoll, Joshua Harris AND Ravi Zaccharious (who cares that I spelled it wrong). I mean that’s like the holy trinity of terrible 2000’s Christian influencers. It actually made the read a bit more interesting because you only hear those names in negative ways now but he loved them!

However it gained that star back by him not perpetuating any of their harmful views and behaviors as far as I can tell.

I wanted to like it because it’s trying hard but I think it tried too hard to be cool… like jazz. I wonder if I would like this book more if I had read it before college and before the LOT. What he poses as a modern take on Christian spirituality feels (probably is) just out of date. To be fair, it is only out of date because it’s it was out of step with any viable tradition. As far as I can tell online Donald Miller is still a Christian but he doesn’t go to church anymore. What a shocker! Your religion is based on good vibes and semi-personality driven and it fades away.

In an odd way this is a good read to get a tell on that generation of the “postmodern” church or whatever they called themselves. It didn’t work, and we are facing the repercussions.

This is a long review but there was some beautiful moments. He seems to dive deep into the life of Reed students and show how Christ can change hearts and that is incredible.

All in all like a 2.5/5. Not terrible but I think any interest I have was not native to the text but almost anthropological. What an interest sector of American Christianity.

I picked up this book based on the recommendations of some friends and I wasn't disappointed. Miller's thoughts on Christian spirituality are so refreshing, they reminded me of why it feels good to feel more than OK about my faith -- and I'd been needing a nudge like that for a long while. This book will remind you that being a Christian isn't about being a die-hard Republican or a die-hard evangelical or even feeling the need to label yourself a Christian (as Miller says in the book, he gets hung up on the stereotypes himself) -- just that you need to treat others the way you want to be treated (which, at the heart, is what being Christian -- minus all the Jerry Falwell, Left Behind, Purpose-Driven Life dribble -- is all about).

For a book that makes you think about thoughts (if that makes sense), this one does a pretty good job of it. Give yourself a few chapters and I challenge you (believer or non-believer) to think differently.

This is a book I want to own in hard copy because I think it reads better as a devotional or something to lend someone to read a certain chapter. I appreciated Miller's perspective, it is a humble and unique perspective in a literature source that can often repeat similar ideas. However, the book felt very disorganized and he jumped around years and parts of his life randomly. The book finished strong or I think I would have given it a three. I think if I had spaced it out more and read a chapter a week I would have enjoyed it a lot more.

I've sort of been rolling this book around in my head for a couple of days to decide what I was going to say about it. I told myself that I had to justify with words why I did or didn't like something, and I kind of feel, in finishing this one--I don't KNOW. I do know I find Donald Miller obnoxious. But, his writing was entertaining and accessible (and he would probably argue--relatable, but I don't think I'd agree with that). He had some good ideas. He made me think about what he was saying.

But, in all his story-telling, which was kind of like reading a blog bound in book form, I felt like it lacked sincerity. It seemed as though he had this political agenda running throughout the entire book. The book was supposed to be about faith and his faith journey. And, I though I found myself agreeing with the words he's saying, the way he said what he had to say was just... arrogant seeming.

Miller was subtle and hypocritical in his arrogance--always masking it as Deep Spiritual Thought. I felt like he was trying to sound cooler, more intellectual, more liberal, more open-minded, and deeper thinking than he really was.

Edit: I'm adding this opinion, which I shared with a commenter to the bottom of my previous review. I thought it was worth noting:

I read this book because everyone was talking about it, and I found out later that Miller and I had a very important minister/mentor/friend in common. I've read some of his other work since this, and I've heard him speak. My impression of him since reading and reviewing this book years ago has changed quite a bit. I'm still not the World's Biggest Fan of this book per se, but I find myself pleasantly surprised by the sincerity and heart that Miller has shown in what I've read and heard from him since.

Emergent malaise. I think someone else described it this way, and it's pretty accurate: It's like reading a whiny teenager's diary—there are some good points, but he still needs to grow up.

This book was recommended to me by MyFleshSingsOut, who is a very religious goodreads friend. He is a Jerry Falwell loving, hardcore, right wing conservative. He believes the entire old testament word for word: none of it is allegorical to MyFleshSingsOut. He doesn't even believe in evolution. You've probably run into him before. He goes around this site trying to save souls.

Knowing that I struggle with my belief and that I'm not nearly as religious as him, but more spiritual, than say, the average goodreader, he advised I give this book a shot.

And I'm pretty glad I did.

It's not a very deep or penetrating book. If you're looking for the deeper questions of science and the existence of God, or musings on morality, this is not the place to turn. Donald Miller was no Dostoevsky, nor was he as analytical as I would've liked. I do not recommend this book for non Christians.

The tone is very informal. He's just one of the guys talking to you. He's young too, like just-turned thirty or something. And it shows, not only in his lack of probing depth, but in his annoying need to be cool all the time. He constantly goes out of his way to show that he's not like other Christians, because, you see, he's been there and done that. He drives a motorcycle and has hung with hippies, and he hates Pat Buchanan. He even drinks and goes to parties. You see, he's cool. And if you forget how cool he is, don't worry, because he'll remind you time and again.

Yet, there are some advantages to Miller's frank, informal narration. He's brutally honest about his shortcomings, he's entertaining, his prose makes for easy reading, and he does have heart. His message is a positive one: focus on love and Jesus, not doctrine and religiosity. And really, his childlike look at things is refreshing at times: he comes up with some touching insights; the kind that seem simple and obvious, but tend to get lost or go unnoticed in everyday life.

So, while I rolled my eyes a number of times, I did appreciate this quick and easy read, for both its entertainment value, and its ability to remind me why I'm a person of faith.

Thanks for the recommendation, MyFleshSingsOut! I liked this book.

Blue Like Jazz, to me, seems to be all over the place. From one story after another, to really impactful points, Donald Miller takes an authentic approach to display relatable struggles in faith. Through his stories, I discovered that it's okay to be brutally honest with our God, and I love how Miller doesn't cut any corners when he addresses topics that are a bit touchy within the Christian world. I think that's how God wants us to be with him. I absolutely loved the ending and how he related Spirituality to jazz music; I pray I am able to sing my own song of praise as I follow our King. This book was slightly annoying to me at first because I could not figure out his agenda for the book, but as I continued to read, all the stories he would explain were resonating with me.

I adore this book. There is a very good reason why this is the best-selling book in the Religion and Philosophy room of Powells Books in Portland (the world's largest independent bookstore); it is the most accessible, human, funny, and compelling "religious book" I've ever read (and I've read many). It is much less like a personal spirituality manual than it is a book of quirky essays by someone who happens to be deeply spiritual and learned, through the ups and downs of his life, how his faith was as much a part of his everyday life as breathing and sleeping.

I also love this book because it was written in Portland, and the house where the author lived turns out to be right across the street from my church. (By the big gold Joan of Arc statue, if you're a Portlander.) And he dedicated the book to all the coffeeshops and bars in Portland where he wrote it, which I thought was really cool.

I feel conflicted about this book because so many people I know love it. And though there are a number of profound statements and thoughts throughout (I had my highlighter at the ready!) there is some weak--and sometimes just plain false--theology presented.

Definitely one of those Bob Goff-esque story telling books. I enjoyed it because this is really what it is all about, a good thing to read amidst heavy-theory theology. Thought the writing was stagnant.

The book was not captivating for sure.I was disappointed but not overly so. He made at least two discoveries on his quest for answers. That some people are able to behave in a manner of Christ teachings and not be Christians. Also he found out that he did not love himself therefore he could not love others. The long descriptions of the different characters was a turn off for me. I read his other book Searching for God Knows What before this one and I feel about the same for both. He does put fundamental Christians in a not too favorable light(there obsession with abortion, homosexuality and association with the republican party) which just lately I have begun to see myself. If he would have cut out the long descriptions of people it would have been better. But he is my brother in Christ I accept him as he is. He also brought out how Christ did not judge but develop relationships. He promoted tolerance of others with out condoning. Did I learn something about myself? Yes.

Let me start with a confession: I didn't want to like this book. This was my second attempt at reading it and I went into it with a lot of pre-conceived notions about the book and its author. Some of them were true. Some of them weren't. But I definitely went into it with the wrong attitude. And honestly, I was proven wrong on many accounts. Did I like this book? Not really. I don't agree with a lot of what the author said. But I can also say that there was some real beauty in this book... some amazing insight that was beneficial to me. And it took me by surprise and reminded me that I need to not be so close-minded and judgmental.



So where to begin. This book frustrated me. Number one, the author was all over the place. I understand that this was something of a biography, a spiritual/metaphysical journey through his life. But at the same time, the plot wasn't there. It was almost just a hodge-podge of random philosophies and beliefs thrown together in no particular order or organization.



Let's start with what I liked about the book. Well, there was actually a lot. He has a lot of great insights, such as "I believe that the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time." Ahhhhh! So convicting and so very true. This cut me deep! He was also right on in regards to the innate spiritual nature of all mankind: "We have to be taught to be good. It doesn't come completely natural. In my mind, that's a flaw in the human condition." But actually, that was his friend Tony the Beat Poet who said that. But still true nonetheless. A lot of current mainstream "Christian" authors seem to want to downplay our true sin nature... try to excuse it, say that we aren't really that bad at heart, etc. I liked the fact that at least Miller wasn't dodging this issue. In fact he went on to say "Nothing is going to change in the Congo until you and I figure out what is wrong with the person in the mirror. " I like how he took responsibility for our actions or lack of actions.



But then, when he takes a step forward, he takes two steps backwards. So he acknowledges that we aren't perfect, that we have flaws. But then he points inward for the solution: "All I'm saying is that if we, as a species, could fix our self-absorption, we could end a lot of pain in the world." The problem with this is we cannot do this. It is impossible. Only God can fix our self-absorption and that is through showing us that we can do nothing to save ourselves. We are powerless. Only through his Son can we die to self.



I think Miller's overall problem is that he is trying too hard to be cool. I have no idea how many times the word "cool" was used in this book because I stopped counting when it got above a reasonable number. He is the pipe smoking, profanity using (yes, he admits to using profanity, such as when he plays video games), George W Bush (and all republicans for that matter) hating, non-fundamentalist cool "Christian." He goes out of his way to constantly talk about this. But the problem is this: Christianity is not cool. It was never meant to be cool. Jesus was not cool!!!! There was absolutely zilch cool about Jesus' ministry: Take up your cross and follow me.... turn the other cheek... see all that you have and give to the poor... pay your taxes... go the extra mile. And this is just a small sampling. But literally, Jesus was not cool! And what he preached was not cool. He was persecuted for what he believed, crucified for it. He didn't sit around at a liberal arts college smoking dope and talking about how love is the cure for the world. No taught that the wages of sin is death... but that the gift of God is eternal life, through Him alone!



Just listen to what Miller said: "For me the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained." What??? What exactly is Christian spirituality? What happened to faith? And if you can't explain your belief then how do you share it? How do you defend it? What is the Bible if not an explanation of God's love for us? He also says "I don't think you can explain how Christian faith works either. It is a mystery. It is something you feel, and it comes from the soul." A faith based on feelings is bound to fail. Feelings are fickle. Feelings change. Feelings fail.



He also is way too accepting. He preaches tolerance. " I wanted tolerance. I wanted everybody to leave everybody else alone, regardless of their religious beliefs, regardless of their political affiliation." I disagree. Miller believes that tolerance is showing somebody love. I disagree. I think that when you tolerate someone's sins, you are tolerating their damnation to hell. Shouldn't we be so concerned with those around us that we hound their souls, crying out for them to avoid hell? If a bridge is washed out ahead in the road and you see a car headed that way, do you tolerate their choice to drive forwards, towards death and ruin? Or do you stand in the road, screaming in a bullhorn for them to stop? Do you block the road with a tree? Don't you do something? Don't you point out the danger ahead? I'm not saying you don't do it in a loving manner but you can't just tolerate sin, falsehood, ignorance.



So where does all of this leave me? I don't like the book. Which is hard to say because honestly, I loved certain parts: "When I was in love there was somebody in the world who was more important than me, and that, given all that happened at the fall of man, is a miracle, like something God forgot to curse." So beautiful!!!! I loved his views on tithing... I loved how he abhors self-indulgence, selfishness, self-absorption. And yet I can't stand his lackadaisical view on sin, faith, profanity and church. He said that he had more "spiritual experiences" at Reed College, a very liberal, unchristian place, than he ever had at church. That just means that he hadn't looked hard enough for a solid church. I'm so tired of all of these new authors and preachers out there degrading "the church" and "Christians" and "Christianity" when they are really just attacking a straw man. They are pointing out the churches that are nowhere near what God desires a church to be and using those as the examples for why Church isn't for them. Recently Miller talked about how he doesn't even go to church anymore... just a couple times in the last three years.



I will conclude with a quote from the beginning on his chapter entitled "belief: the birth of cool"



"If I walk away from God, and please pray that I never do, I will walk away for social reasons, identity reasons, deep emotional reasons, the same reasons that any of us do anything." How can walking away from God even be an option? And for social reasons? Emotional reasons? You're talking about walking away from the only person who has loved you purely... the only person who has ever loved you unconditionally... the only person who has even sacrificed his life for you... because of social reasons?



Not cool!