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

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.

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.

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

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.