Comments on: Recommendation and Review: My Beautiful Idol by Pete Gall

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:59:06 +0000

Michael,

Long time reader, first time writer…I’m curious as to what insights and reflections you found obtuse in “My Beautiful Idol”?

Personally, I found most of his conclusions fall into the “things we think but never say” category. It is a moving and honest book, I’ve never quite read anything like this from a Christian writer.

Thanks for the book reviews/recommendations, if not for your site I wouldn’t come across works like these.

Rich

By: j. Michael Jones

j. Michael Jones — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:43:16 +0000

Okay, you got me. I ordered it today:>)

By: u2wesley

u2wesley — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:51:17 +0000

I’ve read Blue Like Jazz and To Own A Dragon – loved both of them but had more of a personal connection to TOAJ because of its subject matter. I haven’t read Gall, but it sounds like something that would resonate with me as well. However, there’s fine line between writing confessionally and being self-indulgent.

When I was in seminary Nouwen’s The Wounded Healer was all the rage, but, unfortunately, the launching pad for a lot of narcissistic “self exploration” from the pulpit. In June 2001 The Christian Century ran an article where The Wounded Healer was on a list of books whose impact, though unintended, had been harmful.

In that article, Robin Louvin, then Dean of Perkins School of Theology at SMU, stated that too many clergy had seen TWH as “an invitation to make their own healing a primary agenda of their ministry,” with the result being a “blurring of the boundary between the personal and the professional,” as well as “a confusion between readiness for healing and readiness to be a healer.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed reading Miller and based on what I’ve read here it sounds like Gall will be worth the time as well.

I’m just not sure how many Evangelicals know the difference between being confessional and being self-indulgent.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:56:45 +0000

Darcie – I remember when “Gall” came out – - I guarantee you Zondervan made some language changes!

I think Pete wrote this memoir before Blue Like Jazz was published, so I don’t think he owes a lot to Don Miller.

Pete Gall’s own website has had some great follow-up material, including his parent’s perspective on the book.

By: Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell

Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:26:06 +0000

I received two copies of Blue Like Jazz, for coaching soccer and hockey in a faith based league. The second copy I gave to a co-worker who is on a bit of a spiritual journey of his own and can probably relate to where Miller is coming from. An excellent book to give to those who have been turned off church.

By: Darcie

Darcie — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:04:27 +0000

I’ve nearly worn out my copy of the original version (simply titled “Gall”). I’m interested to see what changes were made now that Zondervan is publishing it.

By: sacred vapor

sacred vapor — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:21:30 +0000

Haven’t read Gall, but it’s clear that Miller’s style is very akin to a generation of bloggers. I’ve found that the ‘unseen’ factor of Miller’s influence is evident in many of the Christian blogs I read. Perhaps one of the reasons why I enjoy reading (christian) blogs over books is for that reason — the personal touch.

By: Pastor M

Pastor M — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:03:08 +0000

Vangelicmonk, check out Walker Percy’s novels sometimes. My favorite is Love in the Ruins.

By: iMonk

iMonk — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:01:53 +0000

>A great modern honest/genuine Protestant Christian fiction writer of the likes like Dostoevsky or G.K. Chesterton does not really exist today.

I don’t know about that.

Try Susan Howatch’s Anglican Church books.

By: vangelicmonk

vangelicmonk — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:21:37 +0000

I have read through half of BLJ. I liked it so far. I agree with everything you say about BLJ above. It reminds me of Augustine’s “Confessions” for today. I will check out Gall’s book as well. It sounds interesting.

As for your comment about Christian fiction being this honest. I would whole heartedly agree. A great modern honest/genuine Protestant Christian fiction writer of the likes like Dostoevsky or G.K. Chesterton does not really exist today. Unfortunately. Do you have any great modern fiction recommendations?