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The Rock & Roll Rebellion: Why People of Faith Abandoned Rock Music and Why They're Coming Back

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If you're reading this review then you probably should read this book. Reading the review implies that you have an interest in the subject(s) of faith and/or rock and roll which means that this page-turner is for you. Mark Joseph has accomplished an astounding feat here by amassing this information. Welcome to Faith/Rock 101. Prepare to be educated. You should understand, though, that as Mark Joseph begins presenting two opposing viewpoints on a debate that may be new to some, his mind is firmly made up. When Joseph allows the artists to do the talking, the book shines. He does, however, engage in some editorial-izing at times from his own point of view. He has weighed Contemporary Christian Music in the balance and found it wanting. The book is about two points of view regarding the relevance of C(ontemporary) C(hristian) M(usic) to the world at large as opposed to the Christian sub-culture and its quality when judged as art. The basis for Mark Joseph's conclusion that CCM serves no useful function is that the artists perpetually "preach to the choir." It's a matter of Christians making music for Christians who already agree with them. Thus, CCM has none of the tension and angst-and presumably fun-that are associated with real life. CCM is safe and sanitized. It would be inappropriate for me to offer my observations, points of agreement or disagreement with the author. I'm reviewing the book, not the premise of the book. Do you want to discuss it? Email me. It's a fascinating and controversial topic. If you read Rebellion with an open-mind, you will find that it provides some answers even as it produces more questions. Consider the different responses of the members of Kansas. We see the argument set forth in Rebellion in its purest form in the section chronicling Kansas. Faith split the band into Christian and non-Christian camps. We learn that bandmates even segregated themselves on the airplane based on belief! The irony of it is that, after the breakup of Kansas, Kerry Livgren and John Elefante espouse differing views regarding CCM. Elefante embraces CCM, adding a strong voice to the contention that the popular music machine will not accept songs about Jesus. (Michael Been of the Call also elucidates on the pop music machine-the "current power structure, the ones who right now are making the rules and creating the values and ethics of the country.") Livgren, however, is more a proponent of the author's viewpoint, indicating that CCM is far removed from the "real world" where hurting, sinful people never hear it. A complex issue, don't you think? If I go on, my review will be too long and you won't read it. Let me just add this. As far as quote of the day, be sure to see the section on Atomic Opera and their observations of Christianity as it is commonly practiced by adherents and perceived by bystanders.

Upon first glance this looked like the most complete tome on Christian rock that I knew existed. The interesting insights begin quickly, as the first chapter goes into how Christians were somehow sequestered from the mainstream. But at over 300 pages it was very unlikely that I would not raise an eyebrow at at least a few things. The red flag rises to full mast in the section describing DeGarmo and Key, which begins by describing the duo as "Among those who shared an 'us-vs.-them mentality' that pervaded the CCM world and ensured its continued irrelevance to the wider culture." Tell that to the countless young people who came to know the Lord through their no-compromise ministry. Joseph does acknowledge this but not after making them out to be aloof, largely because they refused an offer to open for ZZ Top. He then attempts to imply contempt for DC Talk on the part of DeGarmo for their being distributed by Virgin. "Over the years," says Joseph, Degarmo and Key "became the premier CCM rock ensemble, next to superstars Petra." Petra, at least as influential and for at least as long, garnered only a small handful of trivia-question mentions in the entire book.

The "Defectors" chapter continues with examples of artists who faced "the CCM dilemma," such as Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind, and Fire. The religious music establishment was leaning on him to write hot music with God lyrics, while CBS was "no doubt hoping that Bailey would write hot music without God lyrics." Why would this be? Later on, Peter King claims that for instance MTV, "they don't care," meaning that if Christians make good music and videos they'd have an opportunity to be played there.

The stories of especially Alice Cooper and Kansas are especially interesting, but another artist whom Joseph seems to have it out for is John Elefante. Joseph claims that "it is generally easier and more financially rewarding to be a big fish in a small pond, making music for those who agree with you." How could this be, when much of the book laments the fact that certain Christian singers would have had a much larger audience had they not been a part of the Christian "subculture?"

Also included is a list of possible definitions of "contemporary Christian music." He allows that some might be a stretch, but completely ignores taking into account the motive of the artist.

The book is apparently well researched and documented, but some statements (such as artists are being encourage to leave their scene, on p 47, and Michael Sweet being unwilling to reunite with Stryper) that lend itself to being documented are not.

Joseph goes on to neatly categorize a few select artists into chapters he calls "the Defectors," "the Remnant," "the mainstream Attempt," and "the Rebels." How he can group Dakoda Motor Company and MxPx though, with Michael W. Smith and dc Talk as "rebels," I do not understand. As the book progressed, however, the ideas presented became more in tune with my vision, and more than that and more importantly, made me think. Joseph envisions a music world where the distinctions of "Christian" and "gospel" are virtually gone except for the select few who remain to perform music primarily to encourage believers. Some of his ideas, as he said, would take years to accomplish.

Perhaps contemporary Christian music has fallen short in some ways. But someone who is not in the scene at all would get a very strong idea from reading this book that it has failed at what it is out to do, as it has in some ways sequestered itself from the mainstream. But I myself am encouraged by reading magazines like CCM and HM, as they cover exclusively artists whose music I enjoy with a perspective I can relate to. I would much rather have that than having to wade through Entertainment Magazine and Metal Edge for the occasional, and likely without a Christian perspective, story on Christian bands.

Read this book for a good background and reference on the stories of many of these acts. But keep in mind that even through 300 pages the faith of the author himself remains unknown.

Excellent Book! A must read for all musicians, people in the music industry and Christians. Interesting, riveting and honest perspective about the integration of faith, religion, music ministry and entertainment. Our American culture needs to have a better understanding of how all of our spiritual roots play a part in our musical preferences. Contemporary Christian music is not a separate genre of music. It should never have been thought of as such and marketed as such. Mark Joseph gives clear history and reasoning behind what is and what should be contemporary Christian music. FULL of useful information and insight. Keeps the reader interested so they can't and don't want to put it down!

In his groudbreaking book Joseph stakes out a controversial position challenging the very foundation of Christian music.

The guiding hand of the Christian Music has been to take musicians who happen to be Christian out of the mainstream and put them into the "Christian" category thereby shoving them into a safe corner away from the other musicians.

Although safe in their own corner the effect has been to prevent any influence of the mainstream something Joseph states should be the fundamental creed of Christians.

Joseph has forever put a fork in the road for future Christian musicians, managers, record company executives and most importantly the music buying public. DO YOU WANT TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CULTURE OR DO YOU JUST WANT TO HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL.

Facinating reading with exhaustive specific documented quotes and situations that make this quite a page turner. You will love it.

Orvin James

Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is a genre that, unlike other musical genres, is defined solely by its lyrical content, as opposed to musical style. Thus, it has been relegated to the evangelical subculture, which is tantamount to locking it in the basement of the entertainment world. Mark Joseph takes a very opinionated view that the "ghettoizing" of Christian music into the CCM substratum has had a severely detrimental effect on Christianity's influence in the wider marketplace. Some artists have been content to remain in the subculture, relying on the evangelizing efforts of their fans to bring the unchurched to their concerts and to spread the word to the mainstream. Others have longed to break out of CCM straightjacket into the world at large, to bring positive values to pop culture. Some have succeeded at this, with varying degrees of success. And some never were in the "straightjacket" to begin with. This book gives an excellent overview of artists in all these camps.

Joseph never tries to hide his opinion about CCM. He believes that, in its present form, it basically shouldn't exist. He believes that there should be about 20% of these musicians ministering in churches and to youth groups, and about 80% out in the mainstream, and he has some practical solutions to bring Christian music to that point. Will it ever happen? It's doubtful that it will, or that it even should. After all, to me, CCM is valuable as wholesome entertainment to the modern and post-modern generations who would have no interest in, say, Southern gospel. I think 50-50 is a better, more realistic ratio. He does address the problem of Christian musicians going out into the world and "backsliding" by the proposal of creating a "traveling pastor" ministry to go on tour with the musicians. All in all, a very thought-provoking book.

Mark Joseph challenged me as a person in the Christian ghetto to rethink my position about music and the culture. Well-written and researched, this book has been lived by Mark. Most importantly, Mark forced me to think through some tough issues and take responsibility where I've been part of the problem. Get this book! It's a heart and Eye opener!

Mark Joseph's book articulates a deep trend in our culture, that of evangelicals reconnecting with the mainstream and eschewing their misguided former tendencies to be separate to the point of their own irrelevance.

It is a wonderful book, one whose story might serve as a call to those evangelicals in the other parts of the culture to come out of their self-imposed exiles, and back into the salt-deprived, light-deprived mainstream.

Initially, as I began to read Rock and Roll Rebellion, I was cynically skeptical. Oh no, not another contrivance of someone's opinion about "the deepest inner-most" of superstars like Lenny Kravitz, Bono, Bob Dylan, etc. Then of course the question,"who is this guy Mark Joseph, and what gives him the right to be an authority on such a subject anyway?" Well to my ashamed suprise, Mr. Joseph took me on a musical time machine where I found myself chained to the bathroom (where I do most of my reading if you know what I mean), my mind nostalgically reminiscing about all the artists I grew up on, conjuring up pictures from my childhood forward, forcing me to answer the riveting questions and statements posed in this book. Mr. Joseph points to the re-emergence of spirituality forfeited by these great artists and the need for a return to the very soul that gave them their admitted inspiration. He also takes us through a journey of the Christian Contemporary sub-culture which he points out has divided this country in an unhealthy backlash of prejudice and pontification from both sides of the culture, while all the while creating an even bigger chasm of undertsanding of Christianity in entertainment. Without giving away too much of the book, in addition, Mark Joseph effectively challenges the "Christian Market" for what it has become and provides very honest, simple, direct answers to the state of the artists and the industry, coupled with resolution. Well Mr. Joseph, I must confess, you made me a believer. -ROBERT HART/Newport Beach, C

In "The Rock and Roll Rebellion", author Mark Joseph gives a brief history of how the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) industry came into being, and gives profiles of various artists of faith who either embraced or rejected it (or were embraced or rejected BY it). In the book's conclusion, the author offers ideas about what he sees as much-needed reform for the industry, and even questions whether there will (or should) be such an industry in the future.

The author asks some tough but important questions in this book: Is the idea of "sacred vs. secular" a Biblical concept? Should artists of faith remove themselves entirely from the mainstream music industry, or should they attempt to be "salt and light" to that area of our culture? Are Christians in the CCM industry really reaching their intended audience with the gospel message, or are they simply "preaching to the choir"? Is the word "Christian" a noun or an adjective?

As a musician (who plays in a hard rock/metal band) who is also a Christian and actively involved in my church, these are questions that I have wrestled with personally, and this book has offered some new insights into this important debate. If nothing else, this book should open (or re-open) a much-needed dialogue on the subject. If you like this book, you should also check out the sequel to it: "Faith, God, and Rock n Roll".

This is a great book for anyone in the arts, entertainment or communication that struggles with if they should or how they can integrate their faith with their work.