Donald Miller is a great story teller, and his ability to recall dialogue in detail impresses me. In Blue Like Jazz, he talks so highly of his father, which confuses me. If i had only seen my father three in times in my life, and things that reminded me of him were mostly scents of alcohol, I would be rather pissed off. Also, if Miller thinks so highly of his father, why would he struggle with the idea of God being our 'father'? I understand that his father was not necessarily a physical presence, but I don't need two hands to count the amount of times i have physically seen God.
Through out the book, he has consistently makes little humorous comments that amuse me, such as- "Girls start to sin when they are 23 or something", and "It is a pretty good idea to make noises when you are at a play."
I am on the fence about his idea exploring how sunday school turns the bible into a children's book by leaving out significant details. On one hand i know that kids in a christian home should grow up with some stories to have an idea of who this God character actually is, and i know that drowning the entire population is something they shouldn't visualize. On the other hand, I think kids should know just how serious this religion thing is. They should know how powerful our God is, and what he is capable of.
Millers word choice in the second chapter when he talks about himself realizing that the problem with the world starts with himself is phenomenal. That sudden realization that you are a part of the worlds problems is one most people make, and instead of writing a song about it (Michael Jackson), he included it in one of his books. It is definitely an important realization, and i'm curious as to what he changed about himself to help solve the problem, if anything at all.
Again, I love the voice you're developing in your writing. Reading Miller will show you someone else with a similar voice. The quotes you've chosen show that you feel/understand his voice.
ReplyDeleteYou're beginning to think about his ideas and raise questions that will help you read further as well as participate in your group discussion. Any Biblical connections that jump out at you?