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Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced 12 Music Icons

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A few months back, my landlady forced me to sit through an hour of CMT music videos so I could see this one funny video. An hour later, I hadn't seen the video she was looking for, but I was captivated by a video by Johnny Cash, "Hurt" - even more so when I saw it was written by NIN's Trent Reznor. A country legend covering an alternative ballad - quite a dichotomy.

Dichotomy seems to be the central theme of the latest Spiritual Journeys' tome from Relevant Books. Every artist profiled it seems has a problem reconciling their faith with their lives - much like what normal people go through. The authors cut through the fame and fortune shield and go right to the heart of the matter - the artist's struggle with faith and with a church that you would think should support them.

The book avoids the standard Christian rhetoric - in fact, it flat out defies it with it's honest look at real people and their rise to fame and the labors they engaged in to get there - both good and bad, avoiding the plastic-looking halos on the heads of the artists commonly associated with what has become known as contemporary 'Christian music.'

I should say here that I am not a big fan of the rap and hip-hop universes, but I still found the stories compelling enough to read, and, to be honest, was surprised by a number of the artists profiled. Having no experience with them other than hearing older people complain about their music, I had no idea some of them explored their faith the way they did.

I must mention a couple of caveats, though. The book focuses a little too strongly on dichotomies. The artists profiled all "walk the line" between good and evil, often choosing the incorrect path. I wish they had also included a few artists who tend to be a little less notorious, but still straddle both universes. Some stories I'd like to have seen explored include Bruce Cockburn, Charlie Sexton, Pierce Pettis, Michael Been and the Call, Tonio K., Vigilantes of Love, Sam Phillips, Van Morrison, and, as a guilty pleasure, Jon Bon Jovi. It seemed odd that the king of offensively embracing faith, "The Artist," was absent from the pages as well. Also, unfortunately for such a well-put together book there are quite a few typos, including passages where a member of a band or a music reviewer's name changes from one paragraph to another. Needless to say, it jarred the senses and made the book a little harder to read. Hopefully they will clear those up in the next edition.

Overall, Spiritual Journeys is a walk worth taking, especially if you are fans of Johnny, Lauryn, Moby, Wyclef Jean, Creed, Dylan, Kravitz, T-Bone, P. Diddy, Al Green, and Destiny's Child. (oh, yeah, and U2, although I'd recommend Walk On for a more in-depth look at the world's most famous band.)

Peace.

The lights flicker, the crowd is screaming young girls are fainting and the preacher steps up to the microphone! Clad in black leather with an attitude and blue tinted sunglasses holding his hands up in the air he sings

"I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you"

Call it a product of our Post modern or Post-Post Modern culture or call it raw spirituality the fact is that church services are being held nightly in a 30,000 seat stadium with names like the "Cow Palace" or "The Garden". With our world reaching an ever-increasing disdain for the "traditional" the youth of today seems to be gleaning more theology from the current Pop Icons than from the man that some of them call Pastor.

"Spiritual Journeys: How faith has influenced twelve music icons" explores the personal journeys of the people that are shaping our culture one lyric at a time. From Bono to Moby and from Cash to Kravitz the reader is treated to a unbiased unapologetic look at the spiritual backgrounds of the most influential poetic singers and songwriters of the past as well as today's princes and princesses of pop. I'm sorry but until you become Dylan you still are just a Prince in my opinion.

I need to be honest with you I was scared to open the pages of this book because I thought that I was going to be forced to see the spiritual in things that were never meant to be spiritual. I thought I was going to have to read another article about how Creed is a "Christian Band". I thought that this was going to be one of those books that was written for the sole purpose of allowing a teenager to justify to their parents that it was OK to listen to P. Diddy because he is a "Christian". I am so happy to say that I was wrong. Instead it is an honest look at the good and the bad with a healthy dose of the ugly. It is an honest portrayal of the excesses of Rock and Roll while still making clear that redemption in Christ is available to all and furthermore that those who in one breath spew profanity can in the next breath praise Jesus.

This book is a beautiful glimpse into the human heart while giving a background that will help at least understand where some of the spiritual torment that we so often see in lyrics comes from. More than that though it is worship in the purest form. I almost wept when I read about the amazing "Paul-like" conversion of Al Green. I closed that chapter and just thanked God for being willing to grab us when we are running so hard from him. I thanked him that he caught me when I wanted nothing to do with him.

This book is a blessing in so many ways. Hopefully it will drive home the fact that God is a Sovereign God that can (and will) manifest himself in everything. Oh yeah and by the way Creed is not a "Christian Band" just thought I'd let you know.

Cracking this book I expected twelve short testimonies. I didn't imagine these spiritual biographies to be a slap in the face for me. The irony that these are God-fearing artists, yet Johnny Cash struggles with drug addiction, P-Diddy is crying in the courts, and Lauryn Hill and her son live with her boyfriend, reminded me of how judgmental and self-righteous I can be and how open minded and forgiving I, as a Christian, must be. Moby guided me back to the mindset that I can't judge others when I am so imperfect myself. Bono reminded me that Jesus calls us to serve others and love them as you love yourself, if not more. It was good for me to read about people that recognize their faults, but can say, "This is me God. I'm messed up, but I'm trying to live for You." Some of the most basic and important messages of the New Testament, and I'm reminded by rock stars? This was unexpected. I was also inspired as an artist. Digging into the worship within the lyrics of these icons stirred me to get God's word out in my own ways. At times I felt the book was repetitive, reading the spiritual struggles of a musical idol over and over again. I was annoyed by the writing at times, and there were distracting typographical errors (I'm no expert, but I expect more from a published book). However, the inspiration and messages I received were worth the erroneous writing/editing.

This book is a fun and easy read that nonetheless has sufficient depth. This anthology thoughtfully explores the seemingly contradictory intersection of popular music and Christianity, and the ways in which that unlikely marriage has produced some of the most memorable artists of the last few decades. Overall, this innovative anthology contains a thoughtfulness devoid of the hype usually found in music journalism.

Particularly notable are the sections on Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Al Green, Lenny Kravitz, T-Bone Burnett, Moby and Bono, all of which were enjoyable and illuminating. For some of the aforementioned artists, it answers the questions of: "Is he, or isn't he?" and delves into some of the thoughts behind their expressions of faith in music and the media. The section on Lauryn Hill was fascinating, as I'd always wondered about her reading of the Bible while accepting her 1999 Grammy award.

I was surprised by some things I learned about artists that I'm not fans of, such as the stalwart Christian beliefs of bad boy impresario Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and bootylicious independent women, Destiny's child, neither of which would seem to be obvious choices for the church choir. As for Wyclef Jean, he remains wrapped in the spiritual mystery of his own choosing.

I highly recommend this interesting foray into the real, gritty, and sometimes unorthodox faith of some of the most influential musical artists of our time.

Relevant Books, once again, comes up with a title that stretches our understanding of faith in a secular culture. Their previous release, a book about U2, showed willingness to approach controversial issues with a loving and Christ-like attitude. Here, the collaborative authors explore the lives and beliefs of a dozen current music icons.

The range is broad--Moby, to Al Green, to Beyonce--and the writing is smooth, for the most part. Although some of the chapters delve into personal stances of the authors, most stick to the facts, offering clear and unflinching portraits of names familiar to all. Like evidence in a courtroom of moral relevance, this book presents little known facts and rumor-busting explanations so that readers can judge for themselves these musicians' motives and methods. You may be shocked by some bits of evidence, assuaged by others, angered or swayed as well. But you will be challenged.

In a world of tepidness, Relevant Books continues to turn up the heat. I am a writer. My wife is a musician. For other artistic souls, this book will stimulate ideas on how to merge vital Christian faith with the issues we face in this culture. Don't miss this "Spiritual Journey."

Have you ever wanted to know more about your favorite music artists than you can learn from gossip magazines and television shows? This is the book for you. Spiritual Journeys is a unique look at some of the most prevalent names in music today. Written in an intelligent fashion to suit many readers, this book is a must-read for those interested in pop culture. Even if you don't listen to their music, it is fascinating to read about these celebrities' lives. You don't get the usual bio that everyone produces and knows, you get the real people; how they feel, who they really are inside. You leave this book feeling like you've been truly been educated on the lives of others who are burdened by the public's watchful eye. A must-read to keep up with today's ever-changing music world. With natural human curiosity inside every single one of us, I can not imagine anyone not enjoying this book. I have urged my personal friends to read this book, and I urge you. Enjoyable read.

Everyday of most of our lives is surrounded in music; whether it be from the music we choose to listen or what music others are listening to. The lyrics echo in our head and reach places in our hearts we rarely show to others. But behind those songs are artists that have stories of personal triumph and downright failure.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS profiles 12 artists who run the spectrum of musical taste but all have one thing in common - faith. For some faith snuck up on them and changed how they viewed the world, for others faith has been with since they day they were born, and there are those artists whose faith is still a mystery.

For me SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS placed the music of my father, Johnny Cash, with my music, Bono, side by side and dug into what drives these men. I found my personal ideas of what faith looks like on stage challenged and changed. Who knew the "Man in Black" and "The Pest" to the White House had so much in common.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS is not a question and answer with each artist, but it is an overview of the traces of faith throughout their life and career using interviews, articles, and other conversations had with the artists.

So join in the journeys of these artists and you'll find a picture of yourself in there too.

"The secular music industry wants them to be perfect women with no physical flaws. The Christian world wants them to be perfect Christians, free from any struggles and have rock solid convictions from all areas of life...Their imperfect faith gives the non-churched audience a facet of Christianity they have yet to see - the human dimension," - Destiny's Child, Sexiness vs. Spirituality

Spiritual Journeys - How Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons explores the intersection of faith and music in an era where pop culture has replaced the pulpit and musicians dubbed "surrogate clergy" homilize to the masses.

This thoughtful collection of essays explores the spiritual paths and expressions of a mélange of artists from country outlaw Johnny Cash, to soulful, sensual Al Green, to rap music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

While the book is punctuated with enough anecdotal information to give readers the flavor of conversing with the subjects, the only thing missing is fresh interviews with the artists to add to the journalistic credibility of the work.

A refreshing read for music lovers, seekers and the `twenty-something' set, Spiritual Journeys affirms that faith has many colors, rhythms, origins, expressions and interpretations. The sacred can be found in the secular, is the message. The universal language of music is the medium.

Spiritual Journeys was so much more than I expected. It's basically a "Behind The Music" on each of these artists, but specifically telling the story of how faith has impacted each of their lives. I loved finding out about Wyclef's lifelong pulling between the influences of his Christian minister father and voodoo priest grandfather. Or, how faith has triggered the dramatic change in Lauryn Hill's life and career over the last few years. Or how Scott Stapp has questioned, tried to run from but never could quite shake the strong Christian home he was raised in. All of a sudden, I see so much more in Creed's music.

I hate sounding like a commercial, but I loved this book. It's thick, so I got my money's worth, but it's written in a way that if I wanted to skip a certain artist (I haven't read T-Bone Burnett's chapter yet because, well, I don't know who he is) I can. The best chapters belong to Bono, Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Al Green and Lenny Kravitz.

If you've enjoyed any of these artists' music, you MUST get this book. It'll open your eyes to whole new levels in their art.

The lights flicker, the crowd is screaming young girls are fainting and the preacher steps up to the microphone! Clad in black leather with an attitude and blue tinted sunglasses holding his hands up in the air he sings

"I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you"

Call it a product of our Post modern or Post-Post Modern culture or call it raw spirituality the fact is that church services are being held nightly in a 30,000 seat stadium with names like the "Cow Palace" or "The Garden". With our world reaching an ever-increasing disdain for the "traditional" the youth of today seems to be gleaning more theology from the current Pop Icons than from the man that some of them call Pastor.

"Spiritual Journeys: How faith has influenced twelve music icons" explores the personal journeys of the people that are shaping our culture one lyric at a time. From Bono to Moby and from Cash to Kravitz the reader is treated to a unbiased unapologetic look at the spiritual backgrounds of the most influential poetic singers and songwriters of the past as well as today's princes and princesses of pop. I'm sorry but until you become Dylan you still are just a Prince in my opinion.

I need to be honest with you I was scared to open the pages of this book because I thought that I was going to be forced to see the spiritual in things that were never meant to be spiritual. I thought I was going to have to read another article about how Creed is a "Christian Band". I thought that this was going to be one of those books that was written for the sole purpose of allowing a teenager to justify to their parents that it was OK to listen to P. Diddy because he is a "Christian". I am so happy to say that I was wrong. Instead it is an honest look at the good and the bad with a healthy dose of the ugly. It is an honest portrayal of the excesses of Rock and Roll while still making clear that redemption in Christ is available to all and furthermore that those who in one breath spew profanity can in the next breath praise Jesus.

This book is a beautiful glimpse into the human heart while giving a background that will help at least understand where some of the spiritual torment that we so often see in lyrics comes from. More than that though it is worship in the purest form. I almost wept when I read about the amazing "Paul-like" conversion of Al Green. I closed that chapter and just thanked God for being willing to grab us when we are running so hard from him. I thanked him that he caught me when I wanted nothing to do with him.

This book is a blessing in so many ways. Hopefully it will drive home the fact that God is a Sovereign God that can (and will) manifest himself in everything. Oh yeah and by the way Creed is not a "Christian Band" just thought I'd let you know.