When it comes to discovering a new author it's interesting to look back and take note of the rabbit trail that led you to him or her. It is only recently that I've come across the writings of Anne Lamott; even though I've heard her name mentioned in various circles for some time now.

The particular rabbit trail that led me to Lammot started when I discovered Donald Miller; which in turn came about once I arrived here on the southwest tip of Washington state; only 10 minutes drive from the outskirts of Portland- Miller's home base.

Anyway, Miller himself has made note of Lamott; calling her an inspiration when it comes to brutal, unwavering honesty in discussing a life of faith. So, since I so enjoyed Donald's work I decided to partake of some Lamott myself.

The book I picked up was not Lamott's ground-breaking, and hugely popular book, "Traveling Mercies", but her follow-up and more recent release, "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith". Having some time available earlier this month I dove in head-first; taking in the book in one fell swoop.

Before I offer my impressions on Lamott I should say that a day or two after I finished the book, and was working through my own rather conflicted feelings about it, I happened to catch a PBS piece about Lamott. This piece did a good job of outlining some of the reasons behind Lammot's huge popularity in some circles, and her decided unpopularity in others. Very few people it seems have lukewarm feelings when it comes to Miss Lamott. People seem either to cherish her as a postmodern prophet, or reject her as a crude heretic.

Conflicted as this may sound, I think Miss Lammot may be a little bit of both. In fact, it may even be the case that these two categories are not nearly as mutually exclusive as one might first assume. If one looks back at the history of the early church, some of the same Church fathers for which we are indebted for clear and cogent expressions of theology, were also notorious for some beliefs that were later deemed heretical.

But before I further clarify and qualify this thought, let me outline some of the strong feelings that revolve around Lamott and her writings. Let us first address the standard Evangelical response. To this group, Lamott is considered "beyond the pale"- so to speak. The fact that Lamott is both openly "pro-gay" and "pro-choice" are two key, and somewhat understandable, points behind the Evangelical response.

While these positions in themselves are enough to exclude Lamott from many an Evangelical dinner party, she is also rather famous (or is it infamous?) for her liberal use of curse words, and for her outspoken critique of the Bush administration and political Conservatism in general.

On the other hand, those that love her, esteem Lamott as an honest sojourner who tackles life head-on, uncensored and unashamed. In other words, they love the fact that she doesn't clean up her thoughts before spilling them on to the page.

But beyond this, what seems to be paramount in Lamott's popular appeal is her overarching trust in an all-loving and ever-present God. This is what sets her apart from a multitude of other authors who offer similar thoughts, but in doing so lack Lamott's sense of meta-grace over life; through all its twists and turns.

Okay, so there's your set-up. If you are one those people largely unfamiliar with Lamott and her work, this is in essence "what all the fuss is about". Her unorthodox theological perspective and approach, it seems, is central both in her critics' distaste and her fans' devoted appreciation.

Getting back to the title of this piece, the question remains:

What do we do with Anne Lamott?

Lamott herself has said she feels slighted because her books are not offered in Christian book stores across the country.

I think we have to ask ourselves, is this the right response? Who decides whether or not an author who is a Christian and who writes about a life of faith belongs on the "Christian" bookshelves or not? How exactly does democracy come into play in such situations?

It seems that U2 has finally been rewarded with space on Christian store shelves- but they too were banished for long periods of time. Eventually, someone, somewhere, decided that U2 were "Christian enough" to be allowed such "sacred space"; but even now only a few albums from the U2 collection are considered worthy.

Is this censorship? Is it wisdom expressed in moderation? Or is it something else?

I think that Brian McLaren's encouragement that conversation itself is a good thing would be helpful to keep in mind in these kinds of situations. As a Christian community, especially one that is supposed to be missional in its self-understanding, I think we need to move beyond this sense that we have to be able to endorse everything some one says and currently believes before we can let them into the conversation.

Remember, Lamott is a confessed born-again Christian who clearly loves Jesus. So are her politics enough to exclude her?

And what are we teaching people when some "higher-ups" decide what can and cannot be included in a Christian bookstore? I am reminded of Derek Webb's sarcastic but telling comments:

"Don't teach me about truth and beauty, just label my music."
"Don't teach me about moderation and liberty, I'd prefer a shot of grape juice..."

Let me make it clear that I definitely come down on the other side of the argument from Lamott on many issues. I do not agree with her perspective on abortion, nor do I agree with her blank-check affirmation of the gay-rights movement.

I also disagree with her demonization of George Bush. It's one thing to disagree with a leader's foreign policy and quite another to slaughter the character of someone whom you should see as a brother in Christ- no matter how misguided you may think him to be on certain issues. Lamott writes:

"Everyone I know has been devastated by Bush's presidency and, in particular, our country's heroic military activities overseas... So much had been stolen from us by Bush, from the very beginning of his reign, and especially since he went to war in Iraq. I wake up some mornings pinned to the bed by centrifugal sadness and frustration. A friend called to wish me Happy Birthday and I remembered something she'd said years ago, while reading a Vanity Fair article about Hitler's affair with his niece. 'I've had it with Hitler,' Peggy said vehemently, throwing the magazine to the floor. And I'd had it with Bush."

I think even lightheartedly mentioning Bush and Hitler in the same breath lacks class and character.

Now, all that being said, does this mean that I wish Miss Lamott had not written her books to begin with? No. I am thankful that she has written these books and I am thankful that she found a publisher to publish them.

In the same way that many with a postmodern sensitivity often see modernist assumptions as being tied to an underlying worldview, I see many of Lamott's perspectives as being dictated by her own particular socio-political milieu.

Her pro-gay, pro-choice thinking mirrors the left-wing socio-political background of her youth. I think that is clear. When you grow up in that kind of context its not surprising that you would see the world in these particular colors. Finding Jesus is just the beginning of the journey; not the end.

In the long run I trust that some of Lamott's perspectives may shift as she begins to recognize the shade of glasses she still has on.

In the meantime however, I still think Lamott's writing serves a purpose. For one- it is real and sincere- which is more than you can say of many "Christian" books. Secondly, and more importantly, as already mentioned, the underlying theme of her books is the overarching love of God. And this is a message that never grows old.

Furthermore, while other books may affirm that same underlying trust in the love of God, Lamott's books share that message with a group of people that very well may never pick up one of those other books.

Lamott is a little bit of a rebel who appeals to rebels. And for that I am thankful that her books exist. I believe that God's primary concern is that His love is proclaimed to a lost world. And Lamott works towards that same goal. I trust that God will deal with the other details in due time. Everything begins with relationship. Relationship is square one. And Lamott, if nothing else, does a great job of taking people there.