PLNU was privileged to have author Donald Miller on campus on Wednesday, March 14. Miller spoke to students in chapel about the power of stories and storytelling. Miller discussed the concept of narrative and questioned why we ask what stories in the Bible mean, but not with any other narrative. His point was a reflection on the relationship between truth and meaning, asserting that when you look solely at the narrative and don’t focus on what it means to you, you can often find what God was saying.

Miller also touched on the subjects of ambition, conflict, fear and having courage to fail in his poignant, introspective and often hilarious 30-minute talk.

At last year’s Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, Miller spoke and was a hit among students. Due to the response of students wishing him to return, journalism professor Dean Nelson contacted Miller and invited him to return.

Later in the day, Miller sat down with about a dozen lucky students and informally discussed the writing process, some of his favorite books and authors, his future work and the large amount of female students at PLNU, among other things. He later had lunch and participated in a larger student Q & A, held in the Rec Room.

Miller is the author of five books, including Through Painted Deserts, Searching For God Knows What, To Own A Dragon and the New York Times bestseller Blue Like Jazz. In the contemporary Christian community, he is hugely popular, especially among college students. His assertions about spirituality and Christianity as a relationship with God rather than as a mandated formula speak volumes, and get to the heart of people’s fears and concerns about faith.

Donald Miller lives in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.donaldmillerwords.com.



Eric Yates
Media Relations Officer
(619) 849-7186
eyates@pointloma.edu