| 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 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
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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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