Search For Identity In Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz

In his semi-autobiographical book Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller explores his journey in seeking a relationship with God. It serves as a reflection on his search for identity, which is a challenge for Miller because he was raised in a society that “ditched” critical thinking, soul searching, and the importance of growth in Christianity. Miller touches on subjects involving the identity of God, confession, sin, and the Church. His various interactions with friends and his experiences in his youth help the reader uncover Miller’s views on specific Christian rituals and beliefs.

In the opening chapter, Miller deals with the identity of God. Hearing God as “the Father” in the Bible, in church, and at home, Miller is troubled by God’s image because of his relationship with his own father. His father left him when he was young, so Miller cannot help but imagine God as a “stiff, oily man who wanted to move into our house and share a bed with my mother” (Miller, 1). Not only is he threatened by this thought, but also Miller is separated from God due to his family’s income status. He pictures God as a wealthy man who lives in a nice neighborhood, with children who play Nintendo. Miller asks, “Why would God want to call himself Father when so many fathers abandon their children?” (Miller, 4). …show more content…
Christian spirituality is explained as a “nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained” (Miller, 115). Spirituality can be experienced through self-surrender and connection to God. It is important for one to take time out of their day to sit in silence, reflect, and pray to God in order to strengthen their faith and their soul. How else is one to have a relationship with God? One cannot understand everything when it comes to God, but learning to live with the unknown truth allows one to grow mentally and spiritually, and Miller looks at wonder as the ultimate form of spirituality and