Blue like jazz - or "how to be a cool Christian"

Don Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz, has been something of a puzzle to me. The first time I heard of it one of my most trusted friends, no theological slouch himself, told me he thought it was brilliant. The next thing I saw was a review on the IX Marks web site (one of my most trusted sources!) that absolutely panned it. Hmmm.

It seems that of the hundreds of thousands of people who have bought the book (even 4 years after publication it's in the top selling 300 books on amazon.com) have, largely loved it. But many people have not - see here for a typical critique, as offered at Southern Baptist Seminary - a sound and sharp theological college, though somewhat socially and politically conservative.

So what do I think?

Well, despite some harsh criticisms of Don Miller's writing style by others I like it. I like the fact that he tells stories (there is something of Douglas Coupland in the style) and that he is really honest about his own failings. Although some people have a go at him for not being clear that it is sinful to have a crush on a lesbian pop star, I do think Miller is honest and open about his sin in a way that does not glorify it. To be honest I wish that more "solid" Christian authors would oursure something of Miller's writing style - if they did more people might read Christian books, even if the style wouldn't satisfy academics.

Miller is excellent on grace and brilliantly identifies the way Christian people fall into making judgments about people based on matters that are nothing to do with salvation or faith. His sections on "money" and "gods" are also interesting and thought provoking.

The problem with Miller's book, as with so many others, is the heresy of omission. His spirituality, it seems, makes God's wrath and judgment entirely peripheral to the gospel. "Jesus" talk is much less common in his book than "God" talk and it seems to be the incarnate Christ in his frailty more than the risen and ascended king of the universe who features.

If you want to find out the true centre of Christian spirituality this is not the place to go. But if you want to think about how Christian preachers and writers can adopt a style that will engage better with people in their 20s and 30s and to think about grace this book is worth a read - with caution!