Don’t judge a book by its cover (especially this one!)
This is an amazing book that I stumbled upon when I was looking for something to read to pass the time waiting for an appointment. What I got was a major spiritual butt whopping! Seriously, this book has haunted me since I read it and I have a deep need to discuss it with others who have read it.
The really good news is that the author has made the book available free in PDF format. Just click here to download it.Or you could order a hard copy from his website. You can even find a copy at the library like I did. It is a very easy read (only 249 pages and spaced like one of my papers in high school) that you can easily finish in one or two sittings. The author is fun and pithy and carries a very large spiritual baseball bat.
You may be thinking that this is a weird place for a discussion about a book with “Hate Church” in the title, but please read it first before you start the excommunication process rolling.
I dare you to read this book then act like nothing happened. (I double dog dare you!)
PLEASE! Read the book and then come back here and post a comment, my dog is tired of listening to me talk to him about it.
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Up for It
Hey Tim,
I'm up for it! I love a good book recommendation. I'll reserve it at the library right now.
Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks for showing an interest!
I have a copy from the Waterford library that still has some time on it. If you want to borrow it, just let me know.
Got it
Hi Tim,
That's funny because when I searched for this book, I saw that the copy from Waterford was checked out and due back soon. I wondered if that was yours!
Anyway...I got a copy from the Commerce Twp library.
Now that I have this book in my hands, I am a bit leary about the title. The word 'hate' is extreme and often overused to make a point. But....like I said in my previous post, I'm ALWAYS looking for a new read. Especially one that a fellow Christian finds insightful.
So....I will read and report back!
Hate - "in a nice way"
I'm glad you found a copy and can't wait to discuss it with you (and the multitude of others who are no doubt too busy reading the book to post a comment).
Look at the word "hate" in the title in reference to the way Jesus himself used it. Look at Luke 14:26 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple." It is when we put the Church (four walls and bathroom)and /or ourselves ahead of Christ that all the "unholy crap" starts to litter the lawn.(I leave you that word picture)
Enjoy!
A Reading I Will Go....
I know that feeling when you read and book and wish that someone would read it to. So that's why I had to join you!
I look forward to the discussion with you and the 'multitudes'! I'm sure they're almost done and that's why they haven't commented.
I better get started!
Book Review Time
Ok...Tim...here it goes... for our little 2 person online book club!
I felt like the author of "Love Jesus, Hate Church" did bring up some good points. But some of his points were based on very personal (his dad mostly) examples of hypocrisy. He obviously is very hurt and is righteously angry. And while I agree there is a time for that, I feel like he just goes on and on.
I do believe that our modern churches all to often miss Jesus's true message, but I think the author doesn't leave room for Him to change it.
It's brought up some ideas about what the church should look like, but I feel like he lacked real ways to make it happen.
It's always good to review how we are doing Christianity. To see if it lines up with Jesus's message or not.
I'm sorry I didn't enjoy it as much as you! But I had to be honest about my view on it. It just goes to show that we all have great books that have touched us and changed us. ( I just reread "Blue Like Jazz" and really feel like it spoke to me. highly recommend it! )
Thanks for recommending it and letting us a have a little online club!
THANK YOU!
I looked up "Blue Like Jazz". I read the book jacket and a little about the author. Not having read the book (yet) I'm taking a big chance that I'm off by a mile, but the impression I get is that we are looking at the same painting from different perspectives.
The author of "Love Jesus - Hate Church" and I share a lot in common. When I read about the author of "Blue Like Jazz", he reminded me of you (except the whole different gender thing). I really think we are asking ourselves the same questions:
To test my "different perspectives" theory, I have obtained a copy of "Blue Like Jazz" and will let you know what I found out when I finish it.
Thanks again from me and my dog!
no thank YOU!
Hey Tim,
I think you might be right. I think books effect us differently based on whether we are more similar to the author to begin with. I DO think in some ways those two books are just different perspectives of the same issue.
And great church questions. I think you nailed that part. What SHOULD it be? We all have been brought up to trust what our man-run modern American churches have turned into. We should constantly go back to Jesus' message and remind ourselves what is essential for church and worship. We've diluted it so much.
Anyway...thank YOU for reading Blue Like Jazz... I look so forward to hearing your thoughts on it. I think you will enjoy it.
And, I think 'when it doubt, throw it out", regarding the food in your fridge!
Wow, doesn't quite cover it.
I am not finished with the book yet, but I had to stop and thank you for recommending it. I just finished the chapter about the "Confession Booth". It's like a new part of my brain got activated. It's like the thought was always there just waiting to be discovered. (This actually happens to me a lot, but I try to keep that a secret)
Anyway...I never thought about the sins I have committed by not doing something. ie:
Not in any direct way or in a way that really cost me something.
I have clothed the naked and visited those in jail, but that was part of my job. (The "clothing the naked" part had little to do with the love of Christ and more to do with calming the crowd down.)
Most of all I am guilty of not being a good picture of what it looks like to have Christ change your life.
I'm only half way through the book, but I can already see that this will make my top ten.
THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR TURNING ME ON TO IT!
BTW...The author is cool, but I really want to be Andrew (from chapter 10)
Blue Like Jazz....Rocks
I am so glad, Tim, that you've been enjoying Miller's book. It really has been a key book for me and some of my friends.
And now I think I've realized why I didn't connect with the "Love Jesus..." book. I think it's because his message is sort of the first step for people that want to change and think of church differently. The righteous anger that is acknowledged for the first time. The realization that this Modern Christianity that we've put our faith in, may not be all that.
I think for me, it's hard to go back to that emotion. I have been there and now feel books like "Blue Like Jazz" have given me the hope of what Christianity can be.
I just reread "Blue Like Jazz" and have again be amazed by the simplicity of Miller's words, yet the depth of his thoughts and views. This time when I finished it, I decided I just need to reread this book once a year. How else could I possibly remember all the ways I need to love more and change? Truly inspiring!
I hope you enjoy the rest of the book. And I'm always up for another book recommendation!
Not a strong finish
I'm done.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and got a lot out of it. But...he seemed to wander towards the end. I guess I was looking for a climatic ending with a big a-ha! The book is more like his rambling memoirs than him trying to tell a story or make a point.
Don't get me wrong, I thought the book was great and I'm so glad you recommended it. I look forward to your next recommendation.
Thanks again for reading "Love Jesus - Hate Church" and recommending "Blue Like Jazz".
More Recommendations?
Hey Tim,
Are you sure were a good match for recommendations for each other?!?! ha ha!
Seems like we respect each others books, but don't connect with them.
I'll think some more about what books you might like that I've enjoyed. Also, I'll send you an invite to Goodreads.com. It's a great site to document the books you've read, are reading and want to read. And then see your friends books too.
Hope to see you on there as well!
Way late to the party
Hey guys, I just read through all of your posts and cracked up. It sounds like you guys had some good reads, but you are right on about recommendations for books...it's such a personal and difficult thing to do at times!
Linda, if you don't mind, send me an invite to that website as well, I would really appreciate a site like that!
Liz
PS: I've read Blue Like Jazz and agree that the end kinda tapered off a bit. I'll keep the other book on my list (it's ridiculously long which is why Linda's website recommendation might be a good idea to keep me organized!)