Comments on: Book Review – My Beautiful Idol

By: Mike Clawson

Mike Clawson — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:40:52 +0000

Miller doesn't go to Driscoll's church, but he goes to one that is in Driscoll's church plant network, Acts29, and that, one presumes, must necessarily share Driscoll's attitudes on women. I've never heard whether Miller also shares those attitudes.

I like Blue Like Jazz, and I agree that SFGKW was boring. I've also heard Miller speak at Rob Bell's church (on the podcast) and his talk wasn't that great and even mildly offensive at points. But whatever. Miller's sort of like the Max Lucado of the emerging church – nice, light, fluffy, devotional stuff. Nothing real deep or earth shattering, but not much to complain about either.

By: Karl

Karl — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:53:57 +0000

I can understand the "guilt by association" thing with Donald Miller and people who don't like Driscoll. But I was actually shocked to hear Driscoll after reading Miller's Blue Like Jazz, and think "Miller goes to THIS guy's church?"

Emerging folks probably have been on the receiving end of similar guilt-by-association rejection from conservative evangelicals who read something they didn't like from Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt or Tony Jones and then branded anyone who associated themselves with those names with the same label, and refused to read them. ("Rob Bell let HIM speak at his church?!?!? And I was just about to read one of Bell's books – no way I'm going to read it now!")

I agree with longtheway, that most emergers who don't like Driscoll would still really like Blue Like Jazz.

By: longtheway

longtheway — Sun, 18 May 2008 15:22:52 +0000

I refused to read Donald Miller for a long time for the same reason. Eventually I broke down and read "Searching For God Knows What," which was all about how Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. Boring. So many people recommended "Blue Like Jazz" to me but, not really liking SFGKW, I refused. Several months ago I finally read it, and subsequently loved it. Now I understand why everyone was telling me to read it. It actually is good.

Thanks to your review of "My Beautiful Idol," I'm going to have to add this one to my list as well.

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:31:25 +0000

While I think it is necessary to reveal how often we make idols of our good works and elevate them to statuses they should never hold, I think Peter fell too far into the old philosophical debate of "can we ever do anything completely altruistically." He assumes that we can't and because we can't seems to just reject it all. I don't think the answer to getting over our self-centeredness is to just embrace it because we can't escape it. Even if we can never be completely selfless, that doesn't negate continuing to do good works in my book.

By: Adam Moore

Adam Moore — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:05:26 +0000

I felt similarly overall about this book. Including your two issues. However, you really felt left with "bitter pessimism"? I completely agree that the ending was unsatisfying – I was definitely looking for more of a "where do we go from here." But I didn't come away feeling the bitter pessimism.

Anyways, just my two cents.

It's a book worth reading. I'll be recommending it. I particularly liked the concept of the idol throughout. It actually made me reflect further on Peter Rollins distinction between idol and icon.

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:48:41 +0000

I've read some of L'Engle's nonfiction, I've enjoyed what I've read.

The Miller thing at first was because it was so trendy. Silly reason, but… Then after hearing his connections to Acts 29 and Mark Driscoll and not liking the couple of times I heard him speak, I had no desire to read his stuff. I know a lot of people love him, I'm just not interested.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:19:47 +0000

Julie, why do you refuse to read Miller?

Have you read any of Madeleine L'Engle's nonfiction? Anne Lamott reminds me of her at times, though more rough around the edges. L'Engle's Crosswicks Journals series and Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art are well worth the time.

By: karen

karen — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:07:17 +0000

I read the first version.
I'd be interested in seeing what is different this time around…..