In the 18th Century, Edwards felt Christian experience is a gift of God and spent much of his professional efforts defining how individuals can participate in it. He’s out of step in the sense that he is willing to reflect on matters many of us do not question or even consider relevant. Miller expresses thoughts most people are not even thinking, although they probably should be. Some of what Miller writes reminds me of Jonathan Edwards, the theologian and pastor of the eighteenth century “Great Awakening.” Edwards was out of step with most believers of the time, just like Miller is on the edge with his thoughts and writings.

He covers everything from his laundromat conversation with a homeless man to his cross country trek to visit the environs of Emily Dickinson to his motorcycle rides up Mount Tabor to watch sunsets each evening one summer.

It is so, so cumbersome to believe anything.” (107)Īs his friend Andrew challenged Miller, “…what I believe is not what I say I believe what I believe is what I do.” (110)īlue Like Jazz is crammed with examples of his ‘doings’. And there is something inside me, some selfish beast of a subtle thing that doesn’t like the truth at all because it carries responsibility, and if I actually believe these things I have to do something about them. He comments frankly, “…the trouble with deep belief is that it costs something. Miller is a Christian wrestling with living out his faith. Miller does not want to wear a mask about who he is or what he believes. He wants to be able to reveal who he really is. He is looking for authenticity in his faith, relationships and church. He prompts the reader to participate in his thought processes.Īuthenticity is largely what is spurring the author’s work. Miller prefers to grapple with his thoughts on varied subjects (faith, grace, church, romance, worship, community) rather than embrace neatly packaged ideas popular in the Christian church or society at large. His writing revives the reader accustomed to the dull, unimaginative thinking so pervasive in the American church. In his book Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, Donald Miller opens the window to let in cool, fresh air on the subject of spirituality. Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian SpiritualityĪ timely positive lift among so much phony faith.īy Donald Miller (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003.

Blue like jazz