Blue Like Jazz

Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

By: Donald Miller

Narrated by: Donald Miller

Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself....I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened."
Donald Miller

For anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a post-modern culture, for anyone thirsting for a genuine encounter with a God who is real, for anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life...Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption.

©2007 Donald Miller (P)2007 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Critic reviews

"Miller...is a young writer, speaker, and campus ministry leader. An earnest evangelical who nearly lost his faith, he went on a spiritual journey, found some progressive politics, and most importantly, discovered Jesus' relevance for everyday life....Miller is enjoyably clever, and his story is telling and beautiful, even poignant. (The story of the reverse confession booth is worth the price of the book.) The title is meant to be evocative, and the subtitle -- 'Non-Religious' thoughts about 'Christian Spirituality' -- indicates Miller's distrust of the institutional church and his desire to appeal to those experimenting with other flavors of spirituality." (Publishers Weekly)

Red like Laughter

hard to explain how i feel. some parts were beautiful. the writing contained delicious, textured and colorful imagery, conjured up scenes and took me on the journey. i stayed present with his dilemmas. i liked the informality of the language, though one “ya know” would have, in areas, sufficed.

i’m writing my own memoir and it’s hard not to get heady, about spirituality, belief systems, the hard corners of christianity and maybe all religions. and in the end i was left confused and unfulfilled.

i was raised by a single mom, who like my father was jewish by culture but devout and fervent atheists by belief systems. they call themselves“humanists.” i had visions of jesus at age 4 and then of mary age 24. i joined a non-denominational christian teaching order and learned the tools jesus taught - prayer, healing and the power of belief. i continue to channel them into the world.

In 2005, Joseph Atwill’s book “Caesar's Messiah - the Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus” was published and became the best selling writing of religious history in the U.S.. The scholarly research convinced me as it did the reluctant author, that Jesus was invented by Caesar, his court and Josephus to have all Jews surviving the decimation of the temple, 72 AD, worship him as God in human form.

i also read “An Unnatural Order - the Roots of our Domination and Destruction of Nature and Each Other” by Jim Mason which gave me an understanding of some of the “evils” in society every religious person and every person wanting to bring salvation might benefit from reading.

Lastly I’ve been listening to Death and Near Death experiences which have strengthened my belief our lives are eternal and one with that Consciousness that lovingly holds us after we drop our mortal coils. It is that same One Being that fulfills our prayers and guides us if we but ask and let it.

So i hear, benefited by and can identify with the struggles of and muddy waters through which Don Miller waded. At the same time, some of Christianity, the sharp words, preachy pomposity still turn me off as much as the medical establishment. The latter offers drugs with their side effects and never mentions how a plant-based vegan way of living and eating can best cure any disease of mind or body.

Likewise the cookie cutter religious teachings of some Christian dogma also do not heal, but have side effects, from which many need to purge themselves. The disconnected rhetoric of “do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior - yes or no?!?” resound with condemnation, judgement, holier than thou disdain. This demand, as the author pointed out, stands in the way of “the true religion” - that of love, self love as well as love of God and other.

Don Miller did a good job telling his story. I was shocked, however, that he committed a sin against which non fiction writing coaches rail. Turning to the audience in the end he asked “well - how about you? Now that i’ve enlightened you, what actions are YOU going to take?” I wanted to puke. Endings like that are why people rush from those handing out religious tracts, fleeing their stale, preachy language.

Lastly, perhaps there is an incompleteness that hangs at the borders, one that needs resolution, the kind jazz, religion, and maybe even a book like this can’t offer. Nonetheless i say “Bravo Don Miller. May we all be blessed by your brave and beautiful attempt to give it.”

Vulnerability is risk

God bless you Don for taking the risk to share your story, it’s a honor to know it. So much more to say….but not enough space

Mono Tone means fun, seriously funny

I have heard complains about Don reading his own book with mono tone, but I love his version much more than the one by a professional reader. Don is reading his experience as if he is sharing with a friend, and the way he reenacts his conversations with his friends and pastor is so lively !

I have been struggling with God for the past 5 years, and I finally opened up to God again after listing to Don's book, I share similar struggles with Don in some of his years. The world looks gloomy, and the church can be so cold; I also become one of those "Christian" who often say "God be with you" and "I will pray for you" while I don't think God was with nor do I even pray for myself, I became one of those Christian I used to hate before I was a Christian. This book brought me tears and laughters, a very honest, authentic and passionate book.

Mono Tone 10 thumbs up.

Wish they had an unabridged version

I have read the book twice and listened to it once. This book is wonderful, in that it brings you something new, each time you read it or listen to it. I enjoyed listening to the author tell his story, but was disappointed that there was not a version that contained the whole book. It is a great book!

He stays true to himself and shares with us.

Donald Miller is now one of my favorite authors. He is so authentic. I loved this book and the way it was delivered. it's nice having the author read their own book.

I’ve got some things to work on!

What a great book. I feel like Don was speaking directly to me. As a Jesus follower, I’m convicted to do better, love better, understand better, listen better and just be better. I need to break free from my holy huddle and love on people outside who don’t think like me. I’m so thankful he narrated the book. Don helps me in my business and just crossed over to my personal life!

Highly recommend

This book is great! It really challenged me to think about my relationship with Jesus and if I was following Him out of responsibility or desire. Donald Miller writes in a way that keeps you engaged through all 20 chapters and the performance on audible was excellent!

So Real

Blue Like Jazz crawls inside the minds and hearts of all of us who struggle to get over the barrier that comes between us and God. It allows us to see that we aren’t alone, and that good Christian people have the same questions and doubts that we do. Thank you!

didn't speak to me

Miller is a honorable thoughtful man; however, the book didn't speak to me (in fact, I found it tedious and turned up my ipod speed)---But then, I am a middle aged catholic woman. It might work for a younger listener who isn't convinced he or she wants to embrace Christianity, or is having trouble staying in a Christian denomination, given church faultlines. Miller seems to be addressing a teen or just-out-of-teens audience while the publisher's blurb indicates a broader audience.

I downloaded this book because of its tags of emergent Christianity and progressive politics. I think it presents quite traditional Christianity (not quite McLaren's "generous orthodoxy"), and there is little faith-based social activism in his story (though it's mentioned nominally).

I didn't find anything unique in Miller's narrative, unlike for example, in Rob Bell or Shane Claiborne. Although Miller states that he is not "beating up on himself," his narration conveys to me a measure of self-hatred rather than conviction of God's love when he speaks about his personal actions or motivations of which he repents. This seems to be contrary to the jazz metaphor of the title (one loves something because one sees someone who loves it) Perhaps something is lost in the abridgement, or audiobook narration is not one of Miller's gifts.

Disappointed

This book was a disappointment. He had a couple of good observations but not much more. Glad I didn't pay full price.