Donald Miller Revisted

Because of a recent conversation about Donald Miller (at Bucks – where else?), I’ve decided to write a more in-depth entry about both his popular works: Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What. For some reason, many conservative and Reformed Christians are caught up in the Donald Miller fad. What concerns me is how these believers who attend mature churches are able to turn off their discernment radar so they can find some reason to applaud these books.

Here are some of the arguments made by proponents of Miller’s works: (1)“His books aren’t very deep because they aren’t supposed to be theological” … (2)“It’s okay that his books record all of his misguided and sinful actions because he’s writing about his journey as a maturing Christian” … (3)“Miller’s apologizing to unbelievers on behalf of all Christians for the Crusades (while demonstrating his dishonesty or recklessness), shows his desire to better relations with the unregenerate”

I’m taking these as genuine arguments made with sincerity. I have great love for the believers making these particular arguments, which is why I believe they are worth addressing.

Argument #1 assumes that books about “Christian spirituality” don’t have to be theological. How can you address Christianity without being theological? To talk about God you must talk about theology. “Theology,” after all, is the study of God =). Finally, does this argument admit to Miller's books being shallow?

Argument #2 assumes that Miller somehow condemns his sinful actions in his books. Nowhere in his books does he do this. Many times Miller is proud of his crude and misguided behavior. Other times he leaves it up to the reader to decide.

Argument #3 forgets that the Christian witness begins with integrity. Accepting as true the misunderstandings of unbelievers is not a proper way to engage the unbeliever and preach the gospel. In the case with the Crusades, Miller should never have apologized on behalf of all Christians for the Crusades. What was wrong with nations taking back land the Muslims conquered? What Miller should have done was correct the misunderstandings/misbeliefs of the unbeliever and move on towards a Biblically grounded gospel presentation.

The next entry in this series will contain a full review of Miller’s books. The objections listed above will be dealt with in greater detail.

Allow me to again state my purpose for this series: to make my case that Donald Miller’s books are unhelpful and harmful to the undiscerning Christian.

PS - my previous entry about DM

Stay tuned,
Rusty