I think I may be one of the last 20-something Christians to read Blue Like Jazz. Since The RightNow Campaign works w/ Donald Miller so much, I figured I should read the book that put him on the map. Since it came out in 2003, over 1 million copies have been sold. Much has been made about this book, both good and bad.
On the "it's bad" side, conservative theologians argue that it isn't biblical at all. They don't like that he has a beer and smokes a pipe. They don't like that he converses with homosexuals and counts his time among pot-smoking hippies as one of the best times of his life. They don't like that he doesn't say nice things about the church.
On the "it's good" side are a bunch of people who are thinking, "Finally, someone wrote a book about Christianity I can identify with!"
Here's the thing...the subtitle is "Non-religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality." That should be a clue that this isn't a super serious theological undertaking. He's writing what he honestly sees and feels about the church, God, Jesus, and Christians. Since when were we supposed to get mad at someone who expresses an opinion?
I think the most challenging part of the book is that he expresses his desire to see Christians get out of their comfort zone and interact with sinners! Heaven forbid!! Whatever happened to showing love to someone and investing in their life? Why aren't we holding hands with people, leading them to the cross? Sure, some times it works to stand on the street corner and confront passers-by, but relationship evangelism works as well. It's just a little more taxing on us spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Whether we like to hear it or not, the church has hurt people. Divorce, homosexuality, and teen pregnancy are the unpardonable sins in may places and we take a hands-off approach when dealing with them. We spend our time and energy trying to elect people to sweep those problems under the rug, when what they really need is to know that they are loved, they are forgiven, and they are redeemed.
Don't take this book as seriously as you would Luther's 95 theses. It's one man being honest about his experience in the church. Constructive criticism never hurts anyone.
