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Being Jesus in Nashville: Walking on Water at the Corner of 2nd and Broadway
Jim Palmer knew there had to be more to the Christian life than routine religion, so he devoted one year of his life to being Jesus, living as a human expression of God. As you read Being Jesus in Nashville, the story of Jim's 365-day experiment, you will be inspired to experiment yourself ... and discover the freedom that can only be found in living out who you were created to be.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
21 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Jim Palmer
16 books156 followersJim Palmer a contemporary spiritual teacher and critically acclaimed author. As a spiritual director, Jim often works with people who are experiencing a crisis of faith or seeking to explore spirituality beyond the parameters of organized religion. As a speaker, educator and person in his community, Jim is a catalyst for interfaith dialogue and action. Regardless of one's religious, spiritual or philosophical background, Jim believes all people can find common ground and goodwill in their shared humanity, to work together in creating a more peaceful and just world.
Jim is an ordained minister, receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Divinity School in Chicago. After serving several years as the Senior Pastor of a non-denominational church, Jim left professional ministerial life on a quest for a more authentic spirituality, and has authored five books about his journey. In addition to writing, speaking and his spiritual direction practice, Jim is an adjunct professor in the areas of Ethics and Comparative Religion. He is the Co-Founder of the Nashville Humanist Association and is a certified Humanist Chaplain with the American Humanist Association.
For a season, Jim traveled abroad with an international human rights organization, witnessing firsthand, the exploitation and abuse of children through forced child prostitution and child slave labor.
Jim is a proud father of his daughter, Jessica. He loves animals and cares for three special needs pets of his own. He is an artist in the areas of poetry, abstract painting and photography. Jim is an explorer, you might find him running a trail, hiking to a summit or snapping photos in villages and cities throughout the world.
Since 2005 he has been chronicling his journey beginning with: Divine Nobodies: Shedding Religion to Find God (and the unlikely people who help you), and then Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity. Jim has also written: Being Jesus in Nashville: Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (whoever and wherever you are); Notes from (Over) the Edge: Unmasking the Truth to End Your Suffering; and Inner Anarchy: Dethroning God and Jesus to Save Ourselves and the World.
Jim is an ordained minister, receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Divinity School in Chicago. After serving several years as the Senior Pastor of a non-denominational church, Jim left professional ministerial life on a quest for a more authentic spirituality, and has authored five books about his journey. In addition to writing, speaking and his spiritual direction practice, Jim is an adjunct professor in the areas of Ethics and Comparative Religion. He is the Co-Founder of the Nashville Humanist Association and is a certified Humanist Chaplain with the American Humanist Association.
For a season, Jim traveled abroad with an international human rights organization, witnessing firsthand, the exploitation and abuse of children through forced child prostitution and child slave labor.
Jim is a proud father of his daughter, Jessica. He loves animals and cares for three special needs pets of his own. He is an artist in the areas of poetry, abstract painting and photography. Jim is an explorer, you might find him running a trail, hiking to a summit or snapping photos in villages and cities throughout the world.
Since 2005 he has been chronicling his journey beginning with: Divine Nobodies: Shedding Religion to Find God (and the unlikely people who help you), and then Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity. Jim has also written: Being Jesus in Nashville: Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (whoever and wherever you are); Notes from (Over) the Edge: Unmasking the Truth to End Your Suffering; and Inner Anarchy: Dethroning God and Jesus to Save Ourselves and the World.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2017
After reading this I can see exactly why Christian publishers freaked out over this book. Did I freak out? No. To be honest, I get really tired of people freaking out when someone believes or discovers something that is contrary to their own thoughts and beliefs. This book deserved to be published!
Saying that, did I completely agree with everything in this book and believe it all as "Truth"? Not exactly. Did I find lots of inspiring views, along with things I need to think through on my own? Yes. Did I feel challenged by what I read? Yes.
Mostly, I have found myself contemplating and experiencing MANY of the things that Jim has in this book, and I took great comfort in the fact that I'm not alone.
If you are close-minded, you will hate this book. You will think it's evil. You should go ahead and skip it.
If you keep an open mind, want to follow Jesus, and like seeing things from a new point of view, then you should read this book! You might just like it. :)
Saying that, did I completely agree with everything in this book and believe it all as "Truth"? Not exactly. Did I find lots of inspiring views, along with things I need to think through on my own? Yes. Did I feel challenged by what I read? Yes.
Mostly, I have found myself contemplating and experiencing MANY of the things that Jim has in this book, and I took great comfort in the fact that I'm not alone.
If you are close-minded, you will hate this book. You will think it's evil. You should go ahead and skip it.
If you keep an open mind, want to follow Jesus, and like seeing things from a new point of view, then you should read this book! You might just like it. :)
March 6, 2012
God, do we need story-tellers…wonderful, talented, gifted story-tellers....
--- those who possess the peculiar talent (aka ‘burden’) to parse meaning from the site of the collision where the chaos of what is, what might be, who, when, where, how and why – lay strewn in the intersections of life.
In Unless It Moves The Human Heart – The Craft and Art of Writing,[i] Roger Rosenblatt summarizes the essence of the above in the following:
"To be the writers you hope to be, you must surrender yourselves to a kind of absurdity. You must function as a displaced person in an age that contradicts all that is brave, gentle, and worthwhile in you. Every great writer has done this, in every age. You must be of every age. You must believe in heroism and nobility, just as strongly as you believe in pettiness and cowardice. You must learn to praise. Of course, you need to touch the sources of your viciousness and treachery before you rise above them. But rise you must. For all its frailty and bitterness, the human heart is worthy of your love. Love it. Have faith in it. Both you and the human heart are full of sorrow. But only one of you can speak for that sorrow and ease its burdens and make it sing – word after word after word." [ii]
It seems that every decade produces a voice, typically a displaced person, who has been enmeshed in the contradictions of life – has been throttled by its absurdities, viciousness and treachery. Yet, this voice rises above the rest. Very few writers are able to manufacture meaning out of the tumult of tension that inhabits this existence…word after word after word…book after book after book. For me, Jim Palmer’s writing has uniquely risen to occupy this characterization.
In 2006, Brian McLaren wrote in the jacket of Palmer’s first book; Divine Nobodies – Shedding Religion to Find God (and the unlikely people who help you) – “a unique voice – Jim Palmer could well be the next Donald Miller.” In 2007, I wrote in the jacket of Palmer’s second book, Wide Open Spaces – Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity – “It is a rare achievement for any artist to follow their first work – one that remains as highly acclaimed as Divine Nobodies – with a follow-on work that is unequivocally better than the first. Jim Palmer has done it with Wide Open Spaces.” Now, in 2012, Palmer has achieved the literary trifecta with Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are). Dr. Jim Henderson refers to Palmer as a “prophetic voice and example that places Jesus the Servant above all and inside of which we find Jesus the Savior. This is the idea that will find traction over the next 50 years and will redefine Christianity.”
With wretched honesty and humility derived from surviving the brutality of the past four years ravaged by shame, two near-death experiences, personal bankruptcy, branded a heretic and abandoned by a major “Christian” publishing house – Jim Palmer emerges with this book: “What you’re about to read is an account of how I traded in my Christianity for Jesus, and how this brought me closer to God in the end.”According to Palmer, Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are) “is my last book as a Christian author.” Maybe…maybe not. One thing I know for sure: this won’t be Palmer’s last book! Why? Because he is a real writer. The acutely unique kind described by Roger Rosenblatt above. The real deal.
Let me be clear about another thing – the typical Palmer sense of humor inhabits this work as well, as evidenced in the following: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned by way of writing three books, it’s that being an author is like being a cow: you’re supposed to produce. I still have nightmares of Donald Miller mooing uncontrollably in the stall next to me. Poor guy. Who knows what growth hormones they used on him.”
In this review, I am not going to recount the DNA of each chapter or opine on Palmer’s story-telling ability – anymore than I already have. What you have in Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are) is, in Palmer’s words, “a genuinely honest snapshot of my spiritual journey.” Quintessential Jim Palmer!
In this book, Jim Palmer rises – again – to “function as a displaced person in an age that contradicts all that is brave, gentle, and worthwhile in you.” Like I said, Palmer has achieved the literary trifecta.
“The next Donald Miller – Brian McLaren or Anne LaMott?” Perhaps. Yet, Palmer’s trilogy has now legitimately earned that precious place in our daily discourse whereby one might utter the following phrase regarding the work of a uniquely gifted, aspiring story teller:
“a unique voice – _____ could well be the next Jim Palmer.”
Note to: HarperOne, Jossey-Bass, HarperCollins, Slate, Salon.com, HuffPo etc… – this guy is a free agent!!!
Here’s a YouTube clip about the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcsJs6...
BUY THIS BOOK!!!
…and be deeply grateful you live in an era where a voice has risen above the rest…read Jim Palmer…one whose work moves the human heart….word by word by word – book by book by book.
NOTES:
[i] Rosenblatt, Roger Unless It Moves The Human Heart – The Craft and Art of Writing, Copyright © 2011 by Roger Rosenblatt, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY
[ii] Ibid pp. 154-155.
--- those who possess the peculiar talent (aka ‘burden’) to parse meaning from the site of the collision where the chaos of what is, what might be, who, when, where, how and why – lay strewn in the intersections of life.
In Unless It Moves The Human Heart – The Craft and Art of Writing,[i] Roger Rosenblatt summarizes the essence of the above in the following:
"To be the writers you hope to be, you must surrender yourselves to a kind of absurdity. You must function as a displaced person in an age that contradicts all that is brave, gentle, and worthwhile in you. Every great writer has done this, in every age. You must be of every age. You must believe in heroism and nobility, just as strongly as you believe in pettiness and cowardice. You must learn to praise. Of course, you need to touch the sources of your viciousness and treachery before you rise above them. But rise you must. For all its frailty and bitterness, the human heart is worthy of your love. Love it. Have faith in it. Both you and the human heart are full of sorrow. But only one of you can speak for that sorrow and ease its burdens and make it sing – word after word after word." [ii]
It seems that every decade produces a voice, typically a displaced person, who has been enmeshed in the contradictions of life – has been throttled by its absurdities, viciousness and treachery. Yet, this voice rises above the rest. Very few writers are able to manufacture meaning out of the tumult of tension that inhabits this existence…word after word after word…book after book after book. For me, Jim Palmer’s writing has uniquely risen to occupy this characterization.
In 2006, Brian McLaren wrote in the jacket of Palmer’s first book; Divine Nobodies – Shedding Religion to Find God (and the unlikely people who help you) – “a unique voice – Jim Palmer could well be the next Donald Miller.” In 2007, I wrote in the jacket of Palmer’s second book, Wide Open Spaces – Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity – “It is a rare achievement for any artist to follow their first work – one that remains as highly acclaimed as Divine Nobodies – with a follow-on work that is unequivocally better than the first. Jim Palmer has done it with Wide Open Spaces.” Now, in 2012, Palmer has achieved the literary trifecta with Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are). Dr. Jim Henderson refers to Palmer as a “prophetic voice and example that places Jesus the Servant above all and inside of which we find Jesus the Savior. This is the idea that will find traction over the next 50 years and will redefine Christianity.”
With wretched honesty and humility derived from surviving the brutality of the past four years ravaged by shame, two near-death experiences, personal bankruptcy, branded a heretic and abandoned by a major “Christian” publishing house – Jim Palmer emerges with this book: “What you’re about to read is an account of how I traded in my Christianity for Jesus, and how this brought me closer to God in the end.”According to Palmer, Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are) “is my last book as a Christian author.” Maybe…maybe not. One thing I know for sure: this won’t be Palmer’s last book! Why? Because he is a real writer. The acutely unique kind described by Roger Rosenblatt above. The real deal.
Let me be clear about another thing – the typical Palmer sense of humor inhabits this work as well, as evidenced in the following: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned by way of writing three books, it’s that being an author is like being a cow: you’re supposed to produce. I still have nightmares of Donald Miller mooing uncontrollably in the stall next to me. Poor guy. Who knows what growth hormones they used on him.”
In this review, I am not going to recount the DNA of each chapter or opine on Palmer’s story-telling ability – anymore than I already have. What you have in Being Jesus in Nashville Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (Whoever and Wherever You Are) is, in Palmer’s words, “a genuinely honest snapshot of my spiritual journey.” Quintessential Jim Palmer!
In this book, Jim Palmer rises – again – to “function as a displaced person in an age that contradicts all that is brave, gentle, and worthwhile in you.” Like I said, Palmer has achieved the literary trifecta.
“The next Donald Miller – Brian McLaren or Anne LaMott?” Perhaps. Yet, Palmer’s trilogy has now legitimately earned that precious place in our daily discourse whereby one might utter the following phrase regarding the work of a uniquely gifted, aspiring story teller:
“a unique voice – _____ could well be the next Jim Palmer.”
Note to: HarperOne, Jossey-Bass, HarperCollins, Slate, Salon.com, HuffPo etc… – this guy is a free agent!!!
Here’s a YouTube clip about the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcsJs6...
BUY THIS BOOK!!!
…and be deeply grateful you live in an era where a voice has risen above the rest…read Jim Palmer…one whose work moves the human heart….word by word by word – book by book by book.
NOTES:
[i] Rosenblatt, Roger Unless It Moves The Human Heart – The Craft and Art of Writing, Copyright © 2011 by Roger Rosenblatt, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY
[ii] Ibid pp. 154-155.
September 26, 2012
Jim Palmer's story is definitely worth reading; he describes his experiences over the course of a year that included two near-death experiences and a lot of self-introspection as he attempted to "be Jesus in Nashville". He learned a lot about himself in the process, and what it meant for him to open up his life. One of the things that attracted me to his book was the disclaimer on the cover: "Warning! Rejected by major Christian publisher". I can understand why Palmer's account of that year of his life would have seemed controversial, as it could seem at times that he is espousing universalism. I don't think he is, but I can see how it would seem that way to someone who does not share his worldview or experience. I really appreciated his candor, and I would recommend his memoir to certain people who are on journeys similar to Palmer's. I'm looking forward to reading Palmer's previous two books, as well as the next book he writes, as it seems like the journey he is on will be interesting to follow.
February 18, 2014
I loved this book! I could so relate to Jim's journey of shedding his Christianity. It was like reading his journal (or my own). He asks the tough questions of himself and of God and the answers surprise him. The ultimate conclusion that he comes to is the same one that I have come to in my own spirit and it was both a comfort and a validation to see parts of my own spiritual journey mirrored back to me. This book apparently ticked a lot of people off and I'm not surprised. The truth always cuts to the heart of the matter. Thank you Jim for this book. The next time someone ask me to explain my faith, I'll point them to Being Jesus in Nashville.
November 8, 2022
In accordance with the premise that silence (often) speaks louder than words, I will refrain from waxing lyrical about Jim's awesome book. I will simply recommend that others read it to find out what he meant by 'being Jesus in Nashville' and will counsel that it should be read with a totally open mind. I'm on a very similar path and wavelength to Jim, so I understood exactly where he was coming from and where he was heading, and continues to head. Reading his more recent words in Facebook shows me he has moved a good way ahead in his spiritual journey. Wisdom follows him wherever he goes, his words imparted with love, compassion, empathy and true understanding.
December 31, 2022
I can’t express how much I loved this book. I’ve avoided religious books since 2019. I was done with the us vs them teaching and mentality. The only thing I could honestly say I got from religion was a keen sense of right and wrong and how to point that out in others. When I started this book I was apprehensive simply because of the name. But after following Jim on FB I trusted that it would be worth reading. It was and beautiful, honest and gentle read. He says what others think, but fear saying and I am grateful. We can be rigorously honest with ourselves, our questions, our doubts because it’s ok. Our goal is to be fully ourselves. We are worthy of being ourselves.
July 3, 2017
An honest telling of spiritual survival of losing your faith identity
February 24, 2018
Jim has a way of making everything real and human in the most bearable way.
January 20, 2015
The first few chapters recount some of Palmer’s background. He describes an incident where he is trapped in an overturned car, convinced he cannot possibly escape alive. He talks about his great relationship with his daughter. And he also explains the idea behind the book, which was inspired by re-reading the classic Christian novel ‘In his steps’, from which the popular ‘What would Jesus do?’ slogan originated.
Palmer decides to write an up-to-date account of what it means to be like Jesus in Nashville in the 21st century. He makes the point that Jesus as a man was fully human and also fully divine; yet, in a human body was obviously not transcendent, nor did he know everything. He also points out that there’s more than one reference in Scripture to Christ living in us, and to his being our ‘brother’. Yet I couldn't help a twinge of discomfort in the way it was written.
Palmer decides to live his life as if he were Jesus for a year. He then ponders what that means. He tells his story in a self-deprecating and very readable way, as he tries some things which don’t work - and finds surprising hints of what it means to ‘be Jesus’ in other encounters.
I found the book compelling and inspiring, on the whole despite one or two reservations. Jim Palmer has gone further than I’m comfortable with in casting off his religious shackles and renouncing anything to do with the church. However he makes the important point that God made us as unique individuals, with our own strengths and weaknesses, and that our call is to ‘be Jesus’ in whatever situation we’re in.
Much to ponder, and a book I shall probably return to in future. Definitely recommended, both to Christians and those who are fed up with the church - but that doesn’t mean I agree with every word.
Palmer decides to write an up-to-date account of what it means to be like Jesus in Nashville in the 21st century. He makes the point that Jesus as a man was fully human and also fully divine; yet, in a human body was obviously not transcendent, nor did he know everything. He also points out that there’s more than one reference in Scripture to Christ living in us, and to his being our ‘brother’. Yet I couldn't help a twinge of discomfort in the way it was written.
Palmer decides to live his life as if he were Jesus for a year. He then ponders what that means. He tells his story in a self-deprecating and very readable way, as he tries some things which don’t work - and finds surprising hints of what it means to ‘be Jesus’ in other encounters.
I found the book compelling and inspiring, on the whole despite one or two reservations. Jim Palmer has gone further than I’m comfortable with in casting off his religious shackles and renouncing anything to do with the church. However he makes the important point that God made us as unique individuals, with our own strengths and weaknesses, and that our call is to ‘be Jesus’ in whatever situation we’re in.
Much to ponder, and a book I shall probably return to in future. Definitely recommended, both to Christians and those who are fed up with the church - but that doesn’t mean I agree with every word.
April 9, 2012
I can understand why Jim struggled with his publishers on this one because his conclusions certainly stretch the boundaries of traditional Christian theology. He writes in a compelling way and telling his personal story and struggle. He is right out there on the edge sharing a play by play of his angst. While I am still trying to process his ideas, I can't help but feel that Jim's struggle isn't mine.
I haven't had to be Jesus in order to find a way to accept myself, but I can understand why others sometimes do. I can also see that sometimes a person's angst and over-analysis can make their journey awfully complex and I think that one of the beautiful things about faith in Christ is the simplicity of it.
I don't know that I totally understand all of Jim's struggle for faith, but I can appreciate what he shared in this book. Even if I didn't necessarily agree with a lot of Jim's conclusions, I still gleaned a lot of beauty out of his walk as he delved into friendships with everyone in his peripheral.
I haven't had to be Jesus in order to find a way to accept myself, but I can understand why others sometimes do. I can also see that sometimes a person's angst and over-analysis can make their journey awfully complex and I think that one of the beautiful things about faith in Christ is the simplicity of it.
I don't know that I totally understand all of Jim's struggle for faith, but I can appreciate what he shared in this book. Even if I didn't necessarily agree with a lot of Jim's conclusions, I still gleaned a lot of beauty out of his walk as he delved into friendships with everyone in his peripheral.
August 14, 2014
When I started this book, I took a break half way through. It's been a busy summer and I needed a head break from my shedding. Two days ago I picked it back up. What an amazing book! I'm sitting here in tears and sad that it's over. I can't fathom why this book was rejected by any Christian publisher. I've always been one to question because so many things about the message I was receiving just didn't make sense to me. Jim gives such a clear picture of who Jesus was and is. So beautiful and touching, this book is my new favorite. Thank you Jim, for helping me see what I already knew deep down inside.
October 1, 2013
Provides an interesting actualization of Gods life within all...being able to love humanity as Jesus does. The secular and sacred points of view have so distorted the Christians ability to simply love and seek our commonality as human beings. This book beautifully provides a view of our humanity and it's beauty in the facets of the life's written in the book. We're able to embrace our humanity and thus connect.
January 30, 2015
I love reading "real" writing. Palmer unashamedly and humbly shares his story of shedding religion and writes about his year long experiment of "being Jesus". His writing challenged Christian publishing so much so that they chose not to publish. I'm not in the same spot theologically as Palmer but I respect his views and look forward to reading more.
August 28, 2014
Making Jesus real
wow. Just wow. This is for everyone who is tired of the hypocrisy of the church but not ready to give up on Jesus. Jim knows how to hang onto the baby while tossing out the tired old bathwater. Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have been trying to find
wow. Just wow. This is for everyone who is tired of the hypocrisy of the church but not ready to give up on Jesus. Jim knows how to hang onto the baby while tossing out the tired old bathwater. Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have been trying to find
October 29, 2012
Great read encourages us to look at my life and my relationship with God and live my life. He doesn't claim to be a great fount of knowledge just the opposite in fact. He doesn't claim to have THE TRUTH but he encourages each one to look into what's important with God in my life very cool
March 18, 2013
very easy to read.. this book definitely opened new understanding on what does being Jesus means, questions that has been long in my mind get to be mentioned here and talked about. Opens mind to new things.. a good book to read to broaden one's mind..
June 4, 2015
Life changing
A few times in life, a person comes into your life and completely transforms it with the power of their being and the depth of their. This book, and this author, has done that. An incredible story of self discovery and personal freedom.
A few times in life, a person comes into your life and completely transforms it with the power of their being and the depth of their. This book, and this author, has done that. An incredible story of self discovery and personal freedom.
November 27, 2013
Amazing perspective on the question "What Would Jesus Do?" ... show up and just BE JESUS is what Jesus would do. And we are expected to do the same. Just show up and BE YOU!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews