The Beer Drinker's Guide to God: The Whole and Holy Truth About Lager, Loving, and Living

In this latest book written by an Episcopal priest, poet, and author, William Miller. With the wondrous title of "The Beer Drinker's Guide to God", we discover how myriad, mysterious, and marvelous relationships are within the world. Father Miller is above all a storyteller, a very fine weaver of tale after tale. In each of these stories, parables; he reminds us that the best kind of faith is one of joy, celebration, love, and relationships.To paraphrase leading theologian Paul F. Knitter, in writing about Thich Nhat Hanh's idea of "interbeing," he tells us that understanding God through relationships is critical and that the source and power of our relationships is driven by the presence of the "Holy Spirit." "Behind and within all the different images and symbols, Christians use for God - Creator, Father (Abba), Redeemer, Word, Spirit, - the most fundamental, the deepest truth Christians can speak of God is that God is the source and power of relationships."Miller's book will have you laughing out loud before the first chapter ends, and smiling throughout the entire book. It is a sacramental experience where in every chapter you will encounter the mystery and power of the "Holy Spirit" and how the "Connecting Spirit of God" brings people together in friendship, love, and celebration of life. And in enjoying a superior brew with a good friend or friends. Besides, how can you not want to read a book, become friends with, break bread with, or share a beer with a guy who named his dog, Nawiliwili Nelson?Drink Deeply - Drink Deeply! The Beer Drinker's Guide to God: The Whole and Holy Truth About Lager, Loving, and Living Ron Starbuck - Poet/AuthorWhen Angels Are BornWheels Turning Inward

This book was recommended to me because I enjoyed and reviewed the book Pastrix, by Nadia Bolz-Webber. I am surprised by the effectiveness of Amazons search engine. At firstI did not think I would like the book because it starts with several meditations on the benefit of hard spirits and their symbolic representation of a relationship between us and God. Although interesting, I'd didn't find them moving. I'm glad I kept going, because the essays afterward were moving and often amusing, reminding me that every moment is an opportunity to experience God in some way or other. Father Miller has had a fairly charmed life, blessed by a calling to a historically African American parish in Houston and then to a small parish in Kawai'i. Along the way he has attempted to be the 'official' chaplain to a NFL cheerleading squad, bought a bar in the middle of nowhere Texas, and done a lot of pilgrimages to various breweries, distilleries, monasteries and other holy places.His focus is on the celebratory message of the gospel, and as such he is not focused on theology. His emphasis on community and relationship, of seeing the possibilities rather than the risks, and the benefits of letting go and trusting God to get you out of it were wonderful reminders. I have a number of passages highlighted to work into a homily at some point.When I was looking for a review of the book (and honestly, to find out if this guy was for real or if he was trying to be the Dave Barry of theology) I found this quote from him to be the best summary of the book:"If we sit down together, I could care less if it’s Guinness or root beer—that’s not the most important thing. It’s about the connection. It is about savoring all God’s gifts, enjoying God’s mission entrusted to us, and valuing each other. The more we appreciate, the more likely we are to share. And that’s really the essence of faith."- http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/1159/2014/12/william-b-miller-the-tnb-interview/

Bill Miller's "The Beer Drinker's Guide to God," is a bit of a misleading title. The title implies that Miller will be writing about the mix of theology and living the good life. Instead, Miller's book provides more of a description of an exuberant, joy-filled life involving a lot more alcohol consumption and flirtation with attractive women than one would normally expect from a pastor, priest, or 'padre' as Bill might dub himself.Bill Miller does not stand on ceremony. A religious leader who also owns a bar (aggressively featuring live music) in Marfa, Texas, Miller feasts on life and his own contradictions. Miller, who has had the good fortune of leading a congregation on the idyllic island of Kauai, has also 'ministered' at the Playboy Mansion and to the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders (not at the same time). He's also made pilgramages to famous breweries as well as holy sites, although he would be quick to remind you that these are often one and the same. He sounds like a heck of a travel companion, fascinated with the world that we live in and the joy it has to offer.It's true that Miller's book is light on theology, and while that is generally a good thing, I would have liked to see him tie back his passions into the Bible and his ministry. While there is some of that to this book, a lot of the book revolves around the shock value of "Hey, can you believe that a pastor is doing this?" That is refreshing, to be sure, but I wonder if the more rigid adherents to a religious code might dismiss Miller as a theological lightweight.My more serious quibble with Miller's book is the avalanche of jokes. He's a very funny guy and writer, and that shines through. But at some point, fewer jokes would be better because he falls back on some tired retreads - such as the "face made for radio," which has been hackneyed for decades.That's a peripheral criticism - overall, we would all benefit more by seeing our religious leaders living a "carpe diem" lifestyle of (slightly) hedonistic engagement with the world around them. All too often, the stereotype of the austere, judgmental religious figure provides a barrier to entry for people considering whether to pursue a life of faith. A happy hour with Bill Miller might just change some minds.