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Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby

Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby

Last updated on: February 18, 2017 at 3:11 pm by Jim Erwin

Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby 2017-02-18T15:11:19-05:00 Jim Erwin

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Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby

In 2012, Jacob Nordby spun out a poem that began:

Blessed are the Weird People–

poets, misfits, writers, mystics,

heretics, painters & troubadours–

for they teach us to see through different eyes…

This book expands on the famous poem. He helps the reader to understand how important being weird is to creativity. Nordby encourages the reader to engage their creative side. He shares the characteristics of “weird” people. They are the ones who “listen to your heart” (Chapter 1). They are the poets (Chapter 2) and the misfits (Chapter 3). These misfits are the reluctant heroes (like Moses, or Neo, or Frodo) who inspire us along the journey of life (32). They include the comedians who lighten our load in life. Nordby makes the correction assessment that many of the misfits in society who have creative potential struggle with mental illness (38). He challenges us to accept these creatives, even though they may be “weird” to us.

Beginning in Chapter 4, (the writers) Nordby begins to show that he collecting wisdom from all kinds of groups of people. Writers are people who paint a person’s imagination. Nordby then turns to mystics (Chapter 5). Here, he places Jesus Christ along with others like Buddha, Meister Eckhart, Lao Tzu, Carlos Castaneda, and Hafiz. Nordby shares that he was raised as a fundamentalist but later found problems with that theology. Frankly, I can’t understand why he could be Jesus Christ in the same class as these other mystics. If anything, Jesus is much more supernatural than these mystics. Jesus (like it says in Hebrews) is superior to everyone else. I think that Jesus is the best Mystic one will find. Jesus is the weirdest Person one will relate to (and I mean this in the most positive sense.) Jesus thinks differently.
Nordby states that he was raised in a “fundamentalist Christian cult” (49). At the same time, he calls this group a church. I can’t tell if he was really raised in a cult or if he just wants to take the route that most people who were raised in fundamentalist homes who later reject their parent’s and their church’s teachings. He tries to discredit the Bible by blaming other people for “corrupting” it. I have to disagree with Nordby’s account on this point. God speaks to us through the Bible. It is not a human book. To use Nordby’s words, the Bible is a weird book indeed.

I would suggest that people who read the Bible and follow Jesus are weird. 1 Peter 2:9 uses the word “peculiar” when describing Christians. What makes these Christians weird is because they are God’s children. Christians are weirder than the other groups which Nordby wants to suggest are weird. As a matter of fact, Nordby found certain Christians (fundamentalists) as too weird for him.

Unfortunately, instead of taking the Bible at face value, Nordby has decided to mix what he learned from other mystics and experiences in a pot of theology which he has brewed himself. Like many post-modern people today, Nordby has selected the theology he likes from a world religion buffet line. A spoonful of Hemingway, a dash of Tzu, peppered with sayings of Jesus. This book is seasoned with all kinds of wisdom from a variety of people from all walks of life.

Nordby continues his autobiography when he talks about the heretics (Chapter 6). He explains that his fundamentalist upbringing didn’t allow him to question anything. As a result, he like the nonconformist nature of the heretic. Next, he includes the painters (Chapter 7), and troubadours (Chapter 8).

The book shifts to show why Nordby believes that these groups are blessed. Naturally, he states that these “weird” people teach people to see the world through different eyes (Chapter 9). He explains the characteristics of a “weird” person (Chapter 10). Nordby states the need for more “weird” people in today’s world (Chapter 11). He states that it is not optional. Yet, the author urges the reader that “weird” people should step up, even when it may not seem popular (Chapter 12).

Nordby shows that people who choose to be “weird” can reach their potential (Chapter 13). He shares how one starts a new life (Chapter 14) and how one goes about finding purpose (Chapter 15). He addresses how to deal with failure (Chapter 16). Nordby calls these “weird” people rebel magicians. He suggests ways one can reassess their life and set goals for themselves as a creative person (Chapter 17). Nordby addresses the connection between creative genius and sexuality (Chapter 18). This ends with Nordby addressing what he calls the “creative sexual ethic” (149-150). Nordby summarizes by challenging “weird” people to develop a new “renaissance” (Chapter 19). The point of this book, according to Nordby is “your life is your art.”

I found the book helpful in identifying the group of people who are known as “creatives.” The Bible is quoted very early in the book. I believe this book is not addressed to Christians. At the same time, the book can helpful in understanding what missiologists would call “creatives” as a people group.

You can find out more about Jacoby Nordby and his writing on Twitter , Tumblr, and on Facebook . You can read more about the book Blessed Are The Weird, both on Facebook and the book’s website .

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

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