Let the Conversation Continue...

Donald Miller is starting to find his voice. At times his language is forced, and he still overuses the word 'beautiful', but for the most part, this book reveals an author coming into his own. It had moments of poignancy, truth, and hilarity. It could have used a thorough editorial trimming, as the pacing dragged a bit at times. All in all, the book is a solidly written treatise on relational faith, a (sadly) revolutionary concept to its contemporary evangelical Christian audience. I purposefully distinguish this as its primary target audience: the faithful who are missing the point; I'm not sure how interesting it would be for anybody outside of xtian faith.

Initially, Miller sets up his target: the formulaic approach to faith we evangelicals get trapped into. He does this within the setting of a Christian literature conference based on some tried and true packaging of faith-tinged self-help books (the discussion comparing fiction to nonfiction is laugh-out-loud funny). He then proceeds to show that our obsession to clarify comes at a great cost: completeness. Why do we attempt to simplify something so complicated? I would argue that 'refining the message' is at the heart of it, a marketing technique that belies our primary motivation to sell the 'product'. Miller's synopsis of the pitfalls of this distillation takes some interesting turns: selective parsing of the biblical narrative undermining the meaningfulness of something still technically true; war rhetoric blurring who the real enemy is and our common victimization from the fall; our insatiable tendency to compete against and judge each other.

Miller purports that there is something to faith beyond the facts; something that can only be illustrated in story, poetry, picture. His lifeboat analogy is a nice example. As is his description of the one who didn't need a lifeboat, and what a life looks like without it. There are two other points that this book illustrates beautifully: relationship "isn't exactly a scientific process", and a systematic approach can all too easily (and inadvertently) exclude Christ. To say anymore would undermine the crux of the book, so I'd encourage you to read it if your interest is piqued.

4 1/2 Stars...More Thought, but Less Soul

Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies" and Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" were gusts of fresh air in a stale religious environment. Full of honesty and conversational writing, both books renewed my faith in...well, faith.

Miller's newest is written in the same deceptionally breezy style. It is rich with wisdom and insight. For me, though, it leaned much heavier on theology and apologetics, causing it to lose some of the appeal of "Jazz." Other reviewers have seen this as a strength, crediting the book with deeper ideas and formulated thoughts. I appreciated these aspects, although they detracted the book's ability to draw me in. I wanted more of the anecdotes, more of the I-can-relate-to-the-everyday-struggles-of-other-believers moments.

Again, Miller shows his incredible ability to communicate on the page. Again, he reminds us that Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus, versus a system or set of bullet points. With less soul than his previous effort, this book still has the ability to revolutionize one's spiritual life.

Awesome

Finally, a book about Christianity I can relate to. A book that rejuvinated me on my continuing spiritual search. My friends ask if I'm a non-beleiver, an athiest, etc. I would always deny it, but I could never label what I was or what I believed (and why should I anyway?). Donald Miller seemed to understand this and speak directly to me.