Blue Like Jazz: A Review of a Review

The main point of this post is to take a look at the recent review by 9 Marks Ministries of Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.

First of all:

THE GOOD:

I truly appreciate and affirm the concern shown for biblical truth and orthodoxy by the writer of this review. Many issues about Donald Miller's methodology and content were brought to light for the first time. Truly, we can not pick up a copy of Blue Like Jazz, read it, and declare that to be the apex of our spiritual growth and our systematic theology.

There are several aspects of the book of which Christians should be wary and cautious. The reviewer is absolutely correct to say that younger generations need to know Jesus - Jesus who lived, died, rose from the dead, ascended, and will return. We should not base our knowledge of Jesus on Blue Like Jazz but rather on the solid rock of Scripture.

THE BAD:

Wasn't there anything that Donald Miller said that was helpful or right-on or worth reading? The reviewer seems to think not, calling the book "cool" but "extremely unhelpful". I've read Blue Like Jazz and I found it to be a very encouraging book. True, it is not a complete picture of Jesus and there are several troubling theological and philosophical issues that make appearances throughout the book. But think about it clearly:

Is Blue Like Jazz something that your non-Christian friends would read? Will people who read it (Christian and non-Christian alike) start to think about deeper theological and spiritual issues?

If we are honest, the answer is a resounding yes.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is not a complete and final theological foundation for Christians. Neither is Blue Like Jazz. But both of these books ought to drive people to their knees and to their Bibles. God saves sinners through the proclamation of His unchanging and perfect Word and sometimes He uses authors with some quirky views to get sinners to pay attention.

THE CONCLUSION:

Read Blue Like Jazz and accept it for what it is at it's best: a winsome, fresh, and challenging look at the Christian life. Read critical reviews and accept them for what they are at their best: sincere words of caution and pastoral concern.

Tomes and Not-So-Tomes

Are you, like me, obsessive readers of reading lists?

Here are some books recommended by Dr. Philip G. Ryken.

If you're bored with the same old theological tomes (and let's be honest, who isn't sometimes?) check out some reading about the Missional Church.

Here's what Sam Storms recommends.

Desiring God Ministries thinks you ought to read quite a lot.

That ought to keep you occupied for the next few decades.

The Evangelism Linebacker

Do you remember that series of Reebok commercials that began during the 2003 Superbowl featuring "Terrible Terry" Tate, the Office Linebacker?

I thought those were pretty funny. In fact, I thought they were some of the funniest Superbowl commercials I've seen.

Well, leave it to American Evangelicalism to come up with a clip for sermon illustrations based on the Terry Tate concept.

Some of it is, well, lacking in essential comedic timing. But overall it's a pretty funny clip. You should watch it.

"Pride comes before the fall! That's OLD TESTAMENT!"

A Book You Should Read

It's easy to think of C.S. Lewis as an ivory tower intellectual whose success depended upon his well-trained mind. Did books like Mere Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Four Loves depend merely upon a piercing intellect? Or was there something more?

Lyle Dorsett believes there was.

Based on years of research, interviews, and personal experience with the writing of C.S. Lewis, Dorsett tells a well-documented story of a man who was first and foremost a Christian who sought to draw close to God. Lewis knew that God was the source of everything he did. Dorsett shows how intentional Lewis was about incorporating Scripture, prayer, the life of the church, and spiritual guidance into his incredibly busy life.

The book asks a question that has gone unanswered until now: "how did C.S. Lewis grow as a Christian?". We know about his conversion and we know that the books he wrote continue to make an eternal impact on the lives of many, but how did C.S. Lewis grow in grace?

I highly recommend Seeking the Secret Place. If you are a fan of C.S. Lewis or if you want to learn how one man grew as a believer, read this book.

(For a more in-depth review, read what Sam Storms has to say)

Wheaton, Rome, and J.P. Hochschild

Wheaton College made the front page of this Saturday's Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition. The story, which is well worth at least a skim, concerns Dr. Joshua Hochschild, a former Wheaton professor who was given a terminal contract after converting to Roman Catholicism.

Hochschild converted during my junior year and was the favorite professor of many philosophy major friends of mine. He was, I believe, an excellent professor and a trusted advisor to many. Everything I heard about him from friends leads me to have the utmost respect for him as a person and a scholar.

But I think that Wheaton College did the right thing.

A college can't turn it's back on 150 years of history just because they want to retain one professor. The decision to open faculty positions to Roman Catholics (or those from other Christian traditions) rests with the Board of Trustees and the Wheaton Community as a whole. A change like this should not be made lightly but with prayer and godly wisdom.

So I agree with Dr. Litfin on this one. I have been concerned about the way the administration makes decisions about Wheaton faculty (three in particular come to mind), but this is not one of them.

Read this post for more(including links that show how some other Wheaton professors view this topic).

(photo credit - Wheaton College - www.wheaton.edu)

Funny Stuff!

Jonathan Edwards: Light and Heat

"Our people don't so much need to have their heads stored as to have their hearts touched and they stand in the greatest need of that sort of preaching that has the greatest tendency to do this."

Jonathan Edwards