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Customer Reviews for Thomas Nelson Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Thomas Nelson Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Can you love a God who doesn't make sense? Like Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies, Miller's memoir-like collection of essays wrestles with the paradoxes of the Christian faith, describing his journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely gracious Savior. A mind-changing perspective for those who believe that organized religion doesn't meet their spiritual needs.
Average Customer Rating:
(59 Reviews) 59
Rating Snapshot (59 reviews)
5 stars
34
4 stars
12
3 stars
0
2 stars
3
1 star
10
3 out of 475%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Review 1 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
This product is engaging
Date:May 13, 2013
Bethel University Student
Age:18-24
Gender:male
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Donald Miller a young writer who earlier in his life was beginning to lose his faith. He went on a journey that shaped his faith. He discovered changing politics, met inspiring people, and most importantly found Jesus. Miller tells of his struggles that many Christians can relate to. Through his thought-provoking encounters and experiences, he squeezes in humor to help communicate difficult matters and reduce tension. Though the writing is written brilliantly, the topics that are touched upon are broad. Topics such as church, faith, grace, has so many ways that can be described, it’s difficult to explain it just through experiences. Miller tries to find himself in God through his understanding of these terms, but hard to do so without bringing in some theological discussion. Miller often brings up his view on the church. His views of church are very real and almost critical. Some Christians feel misrepresented. Miller’s perspective on some of his topics still seems unclear. It’s as if he still can’t conclude what Church really is. The book does a great job on emphasizing how faith relates to Jazz. This is the first Donald Miller book I have read. Though there are some downfalls, I love his boldness and his honest opinions on Christianity.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 2 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:May 10, 2012
MaureenR
Location:Sunrise, FL
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Very candid and relative to our society's views on Christianity. I enjoyed it very much.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 3 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christia
Date:March 25, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I don't know that I have ever read a book like Blue Like Jazz before. Author Donald Miller is a best-selling American author and public speaker based out of Portland, Oregon who focuses on Christian spirituality as "an explanation for beauty, meaning, and the human struggle." He is also the author of Searching for God Knows What and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
Miller writes, “There is something beautiful about a billion stars held steady by a God who knows what He is doing. They hang there, the stars, like notes on a page of music, free-form verse, silent mysteries swirling in the blue like jazz. And as I lay there, it occurred to me that God is up there somewhere. Of course, I had always known He was, but this time I felt it, I realized it, the way a person realizes they are hungry or thirsty. The knowledge of God seeped out of my brain and into my heart. I imagined Him looking down on this earth, half angry because His beloved mankind had cheated on Him, had committed adultery, and yet hopelessly in love with her, drunk with love for her.”
Blue Like Jazz is the coming of age story of the author as he struggles with his own ideas of religion and the new world he encounters away at Reed College. This isn't your parents "Inspirational Christian Reading" book either, this is a visceral piece full of honesty and truth. Blue Like Jazz is easily one of the best Christian experience books I have ever read. Donald Miller is an extremely talented writer. Blue Like Jazz will make you laugh out loud at the same time it will ask you tough questions.
Read with caution! Highly recommended.
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0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 4 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Engaging in spots, but full of apostate musings
Date:August 13, 2011
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I borrowed this book to check it out because I saw Donald Miller on Youtube and thought many of his thoughts were emergent/social justice "christianity" and after reading some of the book, I couldn't finish or desire to finish it because my thoughts were correct. I did skim through the chapters because this book is full of musings about different subjects. To Miller's credit, he is a decent writer and has an engaging style, but his book will not help or strengthen believer's to know God better or point them to scripture. This is a very new age feeling book, making God a mystical hip way of discovering yourself. Miller uses no scripture, yet mentions it in a off way; his experiences from God come more from the unsaved than the Christian fellowship or the church because he seems to have distaste for any traditional church. In fact, the only "believers" he bonds with are those that fit his mold and go along with his program. This is one of many dangerous progressive books that turn a sanctified walk with Christ into something frivilous and self-indulgant. Ask yourself after reading this book, does Miller's attitude and reflections truly resemble the Biblical model of sanctification? Just professing to know Christ and mentioning terms like sin and repentance mean nothing when the actions in this book don't reflect it. Apologizing for us Christians, helping others, and musing on the awesome nature of God seems deep and meaningful, but it means nothing when you have one foot in the world, clamorizing movies, music, and culture that Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from. If this is an example of being conformed into the image of Christ, I'll take the Bible any day, because Miller's life and inward observations really gives no glory to God, but himself. I would not recommend this book and I pray believers will have enough discernment not to pass this on as a teaching or discipling tool.
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+3points
14of 25voted this as helpful.
Review 5 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:September 13, 2010
Susan Wheeler
This is an apostosy and False Teaching. The Bible is very clear about this. You cannot say "I will find Jesus my way". If you believe this then you are not a christian, and are being led like lambs to a slaughter. Satan is the master of seductive deception. So very slight in misinterpreting scripture. It saddens me to see so many people give this such high marks. Oh, how badly we need discernment for Christians and the church:(
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-10points
11of 32voted this as helpful.
Review 6 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:June 18, 2010
Sherri Libby
I gave this book as a gift. It is exactly what it claims and is a good value for hearing another perspective on what we believe.
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0points
3of 6voted this as helpful.
Review 7 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:April 16, 2010
Herb Wagemaker
This is a great book by a good post modern Christian writer. I would give it to any of my non Christian friends.
Share this review:
+1point
5of 9voted this as helpful.
Review 8 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:April 2, 2010
Richard Schultze
An irreverant reverence, each chapter can be read apart from each other, making this an ideal book to carry around when you have a few minutes time here and there. Havi9ng said that I still found it hard to put down.
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+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
Review 9 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:November 5, 2009
David
Don Millers style & act is wearing thin. It is abundantly simple to critique the conventional way and offer no real ideas. 'wow I can smoke, swear and drink while discussing spiritual truths...how cool?'. His prochoice democratic stance is based on 'we will never stop abortion so let's find common ground to reduce it'. I'm glad our country didn't give up on ending slavery. Miller is articulate yet simple...a shock jock Christian. His act is steering many young people down an abuse of grace.
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+7points
13of 19voted this as helpful.
Review 10 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:October 30, 2009
Kacey Saltsman
This book is a must read!! It took me back to my childhood religional upbringing. I remember asking my present pastor why it was necessary to join the church. And while what he said made sense, and I joined the church, I have Still retained this idea that it was being like a business and this book dispells all of those myths. It reminds us of what Jesus' ideas and purpose was all about. What the true purpose of Christian Spirituality is.Would that everyone could read this book maybe we could get back to the basics of Jesus. It is written with humor and Irony anda decided critique of the spirit and love of Jesus that should be in all of us. This book has brought me back to my child-like beliefs and the grassroots of love of Christ. Back to the real, uncomplicated, simple beliefs that Christ tried so deperately to instill in all of us. It brings sanity back to Christianity.
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+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Review 11 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:October 7, 2009
Dean Noakes
Rumbin', bumblin', and stumblin'. I never connected, lost interest, and now it collects dust. Go back and purchase the A.W. Tozer material right away.
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-4points
1of 6voted this as helpful.
Review 12 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:October 7, 2009
Dave Zarecky
After starting reading this book I couldn't put it down. I was laughing out loud, finding so much in common with the author, and thinking right on! time and time again. I could relate so much with this guy, especially his bad experiences with legalistic right-wing Christians and churches. But after getting deep into the book I was starting to wonder when the author's praises and love affair with left-wing, atheist college students and his "pot-smoking hippie friends was ever going to end. It didn't. It was monotonous. The book in my opinion is nothing more than an advertisement for extreme left secular/spiritual liberalism with some Jesus thrown in. It looked like it was written in 1967. And for the life of me I cannot understand how a guy who says he's a follower of Jesus Christ apparently enjoys watching "South Park, a TV sitcom that takes great pleasure in blaspheming and ridiculing Jesus Christ Himself. Frankly, that disgusted me more than anything else. Is this a "Christian" book, I wondered? There are no borders in this book; no places where a line is drawn. If it feels good just do it and have love and peace. Gimme a break. The bottom line: accolade after accolade for left-wing non-Christians. There is virtually nothing good said about Christian churches or Christians themselves (outside of his own friends). Traditional Christians are the bad guys. This could have been a fabulous book and started out as such, but ended up being a waste of my time. At first I was exciting thinking it would be a great read for young people struggling with spiritual questions. In the end, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, young or old. Such a shame.
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+10points
17of 24voted this as helpful.
Review 13 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:September 18, 2009
X.S. Lindsey
Donald Miller is a gifted writer, no way around that. "Blue Like Jazz" is very readable, poignant, honest, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. It details Millers spiritual journey, which ironically, leads to so very much of what he appears to decry in the first place. For instance, the author spends so much time spouting the ills of fundamentalist Christians, when, through God-ordained experiences, he actually ends up subscribing to those very fundamentals (i.e. the doctrine of original sin, salvation through grace by faith, repentance, forgiveness of sins, the joys of tithing, and even the importance of Bible reading). However, he is quick to distance himself from wacko Republican fundamentalists the authors own words - who, to the author, seem to be the real evil in the world. This in itself is incongruous, as Miller continually entreats his readers to love and accept everybody. Though some of his points are valid and no doubt heartfelt, Miller actually distances himself from Christianity as whole, and proposes embracing the mystery of Christian spirituality, in which no person can be a Christian without being a mystic (also the authors own words.) From a purely mechanical perspective, Millers overuse of the words "crap" and "cool" tends to get a bit stale; however, when he hits his stride, his writing is compellingly conversational. "Blue Like Jazz" is a thoughtful book, a real book, an honest book - but also a book which appears to reveal a self-serving, and at times, somewhat crude and immature outlook. In rare instances, it contains a flaky, distorted view of scripture, and tends to contradict its own theology. Miller, however, does not shy away from asking tough questions: and at the very least, encourages every believer to examine his/her own heart.
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+4points
6of 8voted this as helpful.
Review 14 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:April 23, 2009
Jen Little
A friend let me borrow this book. It is truly the best book I have ever read. I totally relate to the author and his views on things. God spoke to me in so many different parts of this book. I don't understand the people who have said they "just can't get into it". I am planning to read it again as soon as I get my own copy.
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0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 15 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:February 18, 2009
Danielle
This book can bring a lot of healing to those of us out there who are dillusioned with the church and the legalistic pasts of our religions. This book made me fall in love with Jesus all over again. It challenged how I view other people, and reminded me what God truly calls us to do as Christians. He did not say "vote this way" or "call your congressman", God commands us to love. That is how we can really change the world.
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0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 16 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:February 4, 2009
Nnena Okeke
This book changed my life! Those who found it non-biblical or evil are the pharisees of present day. Miller talks about real Christians who struggle with their sin and their need for self-justification. It is a relief from preppy southern church goers who, deep down, think they are high above everyone else. Blue Like Jazz reminded me there is a reason Paul was stoned and beaten countless times and why Peter was crucified upside down. Blue Like Jazz reminded me that my religion wasn't a religion but my relationship to a God who loves me beyond comprehension and who wants more from me then just going to church on Sunday and feeling self-righteous because I shared the gospel with x amount of people today. Blue Like Jazz reminded me that being a Christian is not owning a large house and voting a certain way. The book was radical, Jesus was radical. This book said things people are not gonna want to hear and Jesus said things people didn't wanna hear. its worth it whether you agree with it or not.
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+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Review 17 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:December 31, 2008
Debbey
Read this book during recovery from surgery. The first several chapters I really loved. Mr. Miller had deep ideas and seemed like he was trying to find God beyond all the fluff and stuff that some of our churches nowadays represent. But about halfway through the book I realized the author wasn't growing or leading the reader into any growth. It just became ramblings of a person who seemed confused and led by his friends and acquaintances ideas. He talked about pastors who "cussed", friends who drank beer or smoked pot, and yet these people claimed to be followers of Christ. Now I don't want to be judgmental, we all do things that are not pleasing to God, but I believe as Christians we are called to a higher standard than cussing, drinking beer and smoking pot. And I'll even define that a little further as I don't think God tells us not to drink alcohol, he just says do all things in moderation. As far as cussing, we are to keep our words pure, and as far as smoking weed, it's illegal so probably not something God wants us to do. So although I do not doubt this authors love for God and his faith in Jesus, he seemed like he was searching for answers, but his search was through other people, not through God's holy word, the Bible. He was a little off base to me scripturally. In fact, he almost included no scripture at all in his writing. So my advice would be to read this book for the pure enjoyment of his whimsical and funky way of writing, but be careful of the doctrines and tireless ramblings, subject changes and lack of scriptural references.
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+4points
5of 6voted this as helpful.
Review 18 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:October 26, 2008
Lora
This book is amazing. If you think it's irrelevant or contradicting the Bible, you obviously didn't read it and actually think about it. Donald Miller tells his story in a way that every human on the world can relate to. He's clearly imperfect, and so is everyone else. This book influenced my life more than any other religious book I've read, sans the Bible. Miller's point is that we are imperfect, yet God still loves us. It's as simple as that. This book causes you to think, to act, and to realize. It changed my life for the better, and it can change yours if you give it a chance. The way Miller describes his relationship with God is a relationship that we as humans, who are clearly not omniscient, can relate to, understand, and develop. This is perhaps the most relevant memoir you could read, and if you think otherwise, you might want to read it again and reconsider.
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-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 19 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:October 4, 2008
Rich
For many christian teens we look for ways of exspressing our love for Jesus Christ. Miller has constructed a book that has thrown the bible out the window. The emerging church is a very dangerous idea and has infected the believers way of life. The bible has been misused in the book Blue Like Jazz. I would hope that you all use this review as a warning and a statement of love. I hope that everyone who reads this book will listen to my information. Not everything that you read is always true. God Bless
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+6points
9of 12voted this as helpful.
Review 20 for Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Overall Rating:
Date:July 2, 2008
Ryan Clark
Fantastic book! I love it. It is interesting and keeps my attention, honest, and it will challenge your faith construct. If you are very religious you probably won't like it. I am currently doing a book club with Blue Like Jazz with my youth group and the kids are enjoying it as well.
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.