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 Review – The Rock Cries Out
Discovering Eternal Truth in Unlikely Music
by Steve Stockman
Published by RELEVANTBOOKS

Spiritual Insights on the music of Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, George Harrison, Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, David Gray, Bruce Springsteen, Ani DiFranco, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and Tom Waits.

Book review by Tom Gilbert


The Rock Cries Out by Steve Stockman - finding spiritual truth in music, buy hereThe title of this book, The Rock Cries Out, was inspired by an account in the Gospel of Luke. During Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the people were rejoicing and praising God. This embarrassed and outraged the religious leaders and they demanded Jesus rebuke his disciples. Instead, the Son of Man replied that "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40 NIV).

The inspiration for the book came from the songs of several singer/songwriters who have proclaimed a universal message about the human condition and the need to do something about it. Not every one of these artists may have answers and most do not profess Christianity. Indeed, many of them may be, like many of us, searching. Often the questions are the important starting place.

The author, Steve Stockman (Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2), draws upon a wealth of material from a number of music heavyweights. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, David Gray, Radiohead, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen and others are writing about issues that any Christian must confront if they are to truly call themselves a follower of Christ. That these messages in song come from unlikely sources is a key point and one well worth exploring.

The exciting thing for me in reading the book is that I’ve been a life-long lover of music. My many radio jobs opened me up to musical diversity. Many a time I’ve pondered what the songwriter was saying and even if I didn’t realize it at the time God was often speaking to me through those songs.

Stockman is careful not to read too much into the source material. He’s not on a campaign to make these secular artists saints. Indeed, we're encouraged to look closely at the down-n-out-dirty-real-world so easily ignored by most. However, he’s troubled that so many good church-going folk don’t seem to be paying attention to the issues that are rightly raised in the songs from these modern-day prophets (I use the term loosely – of all the artists in the book Stockman gives the title only to Bob Marley). I believe if we conducted a “spiritual” taste test and asked people to read some of the lyrics from the songs written about in this book we’d probably come to the same conclusions as the author.

Music is a powerful force. It, like all of the arts, can be used for good or bad. However, God has made it abundantly clear that He can use ALL things for good. If you can find in the music of Kurt Cobain (the singer/frontman for Nirvana who committed suicide) the emptiness of self-centered living the writer of Ecclesiastes also confronted or the need for justice that Joni Mitchell, David Gray and Bob Dylan have sung so well about and Isaiah, Amos and Jesus proclaimed, then you, too will discover that God is much bigger than our safe ideas about the Creator. God will be heard and that includes discovering eternal truth in places we don’t expect it.

Beyond spotlighting artists saying things we should all pay attention to we also get a peek at the integrity of these artists. Some have enjoyed a great deal of fame, but certainly all must wrestle with the capitalistic and materialistic demands of record companies and societies. It’s a bold move that Stockman would include Ani DiFranco in this book, giving space to someone who is clearly walking their talk. The fierce courage and passion she has for her vocation is a challenge to us all, most especially the Church establishment. And I find that very Biblical.

Unfortunately, few contemporary Christian music artists are addressing the big issues that the musicians in The Rock Cries Out are. It’s a fact I find somewhat troubling. But, it’s no less an indictment than for any believer who calls on the name of the Lord but refuses to help his brother or sister in need.

Please read the interview I did with Steve Stockman posted on his Rhythms of Redemption web site (here) for a more in-depth discussion of the topics covered in the book.

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.

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