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For the already convicted, it's mildly interesting and occasionally amusing (hence its 2 stars), but don't expect it to be much about spirituality (more politics) nor to continue to offer insights of the nature found in the author's note. In the end his explanation for faith is thet "original sin" defines the state of the world and that something inside him just wanted to believe in Jesus.
I'm going to try to do so respectfully, but even so, if you're heavily invested in this book's style and politics, you may just want to move along at this point.I bought this on the front cover promise that it represented "non-religious" thoughts on Christian Spirituality and on the quite thoughtful author's note that leads it off likening the lack of resolution in jazz with God's and recounting the author's experience watching a "street musician" play jazz in a kind of ecstatic or loving transport that changed his view of both. "Sometimes", he says, "you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself.
Obviously, from the rating, I'm going to pan this book. There is simply no depth to any analysis (or opinion, for that matter) in the entire book.
It is as if they are showing you the way."Unfortunately that's about the last original, clever image in the entire book. The rest seems to be an exercise by a pretty smart guy in sounding about a key and a half up from the intellectual register of Forest Gump, while complaining contantly of the "Republican-ness" of "main stream Evangelican Christianity", and lauding every left wing social democrat political view in the common parlance, including apologizing for geo-political events like the Crusades that occured between six and nine Centuries ago.
Augustine and Aquinas (and Ockham for the opposite reason) must be spinning in their graves.This book is a series of stories told in an intentionally "dumbed down" style (style now, not content, some of the stories have considerable poignancy about them) concerning a variety of folks the author has come in contact with in ways he thought were significant or at least relevant. Ultimately, I viewed the difference between its representation and its execution as misleading.
I was not sure what to expect. I was simply blown away. I could not put it down. He really keeps your attention and makes some very thought provoking points.Thanks Don.
Blue Like Jazz is one of those books that you want to buy a copy for all of your friends to have. That is how amazing it is. Miller provides insight and perspective into what it truly means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This is one of my favorite books.
We all have choices all along the way, but it is not necessarily easier to do evil. It doesn't mean you're dirty or broken. We all have a place; I would feel completely confused in your head, and, believe me, you would feel really confused in mine. With all due respect, this is twisted.4) "Nobody wants to be themselves." Author claims that everyone wants to be someone else. "Sin" just means (in archery terms) "off the mark," i.e., you're not connected to Divine/Universe/Flow. So, please.
But so much of "Christianity" (define THAT depending on the century.). Could it be the "Church" coercing the ignorant masses to swallow their dogma or feel guilty and fearful if you have "doubts" about their philosophies because heaven forbid you should listen to God for yourself.omg, it could be "Satan" whispering evil things to you and we're all just too stupid to tell the difference. Who is this guy.5) Author "wished [he] could subscribe to some aspects of Christianity but not the whole thing." Well, yeah. Author's arguments are very immature.2) Author claims it is always easier to do evil than good. But, hey - anybody can write a book these days. And"cafeteria-style" is what religion has always been. Paranoia. Basic aspects of all faiths are pretty much the same: stay connected to the Divine and honor the Divine in each other.
It's not that I'm so fabulous, but I'm on my path and you are on your path. This is an author who likes to hear himself talk; his arguments are poorly-conceived and sound great if you're trying real hard to stoke an alreadyestablished belief system. And, unless you just don't haveany mirror genes at all, you have a conscience, which doesn't mean you have to watch yourself with some threat of punishment, or see yourself as"broken." You love yourself, you love others, you generally love God. knows better than you.
Take marriage: used to be polygamy, not "one man and one woman"; used to be illegal to marry across socioeconomic classes (or even dress in a fabric not allowed to your class), to marry across race, to marry same sex. When we're "on the mark" it's actually easier to do good things (Ancient Egyptians called it "doing green" ).3) "Satan". Sometimes circumstances might make it easier to take a shortcut or think only of yourself, but sometimes circumstances make it easier to do the right thing. Head dresses and clothing that make an individual look larger are common practice to all human cultures; and other species make themselves look larger by building or fluffing or using big implements of some sort.
In either case, if you do have concern for others, it generally is not easier to hurt others - it's harder because it hurts you too. Here are some lowpoints:1) All about "being broken" and in a state of "sin" and needing to be made "new." If you are brought up with love and respect, and if your caregiver establishes a bond of trust, empathy, caring, you generally feel empathy for others, are capable of loving and bonding with others. I wouldn't wantto be anybody else. Plus, his prose is annoying because, although he is amusing at first, he can't sustain the "wit." Not the sharpest pencil in the box, and he hasn't really thought anything through. is a cultural/political message, and cultures evolve and "traditions" change with understanding over the years. Evil Force that's out to get you and make you "sin".
What is he talking about. And that changes over time. But, if you are reading this book for any sort of enlightenment, it takes about 30 pages to assess his premise and to see great big holes in it. Tradition is nothing but currently (in recent memory) accepted convention. and it goes on and on. Do human beings just never grow up.
Televangelists.This book is just another attempt at leading without accountability - just big hair. Isn't that a maturational phenomenon that manifests most clearly in adolescence. If you do feel a need for these messages, you probably have some attachment issues and you need therapy - not this book. Like it or not.6) ".for thousands of years big-haired preachers." What. Better go talk to your pastor because HE (and certainly not SHE.). Really.
Put this silly book down, be still and listen. And just about the worst book I've ever read - and I have read an awful lot in my life.
This book is excellent. I could relate with the stories the author told and he answered many of the questions I had about true Christianity. He deals with the tuff topics that churches sometimes like to push aside and brings the bible to the real world. I would highly recommend this book to anyone questioning what Christianity is really all about.
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