Broken Hallelujahs: Why Popular Music Matters to Those Seeking God

by Christian Scharen

Building on the success of One Step Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God, Christian Scharen shows how to engage faith and culture through a wide range of popular music, including the blues, hiphop, and rock. He examines artists such as Arcade Fire, Kanye West, Leonard Cohen, and Billie Holiday, offering a fresh, compelling theology of culture in conversation with C. S. Lewis that can look suffering and brokenness in the face because it knows of a love deeper than hate, a hope stronger than despair. Written engagingly yet with theological depth, this book will resonate with readers interested in the interface between pop culture, music, and theology, as well as with pastors and youth ministers.

Genres: Music, Christianity, Theology

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Christian Scharen (PhD, Emory University) is vice president of applied research at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, New York. He has authored a number of books, including One Step Closer, and is the book review editor of Ecclesial Practices.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book last summer in a small bookshop in England. And I'm so glad I found it. It's an excellent analysis of Christian interactions with pop culture. Christian Scharen outlines the importance of interaction with culture for the Christian life. The case studies in the book are powerful and really highlight how art and faith are tied together. Although Scharen is prone to getting a little off-point in order to expound on his personal favorites, the history of pop music that he presents is fascinating enough that I'll willing to let these digressions slide.

Overall, an excellent book. I absolutely recommend.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful but misleadingly-titled alternative to the "Christ against Culture" rhetoric of many in Evangelicalism today. A lot about, for instance, Harry Potter and the Blues--neither of which I'd consider "popular music." His section about Kanye was both the book's strongest section and also the most faithful to its title.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is an exceptional theological argument for engaging "with" instead of "at" popular culture! The anti-dualistic viewpoint is based on the premise that God created the whole earth and we constrict imagination when we checklist segments of society as "Christian" and "non-Christian". Scharen carefully navigates through a well-informed series of examples including C. S. Lewis, U2, Leonard Cohen, Kayne West, Billie Holiday, Arcade Fire, Harry Potter and many others. Chapter 4, "Cries", was one of the most challenging and life-changing pieces I have read in a very long time.

I HIGHLY recommend this selection!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very glad I read this book. Though I think the title is deceiving (I love Leonard Cohen’s song “Broken Hallelujahs” though). It is much more a book about popular culture than it is just about popular music. It is a thoughtful and theological reflection on God’s presence in the world, our lives, and our cultures. His stance, his foundation, is a solid one - that offers a critique at those who will not seriously engage with popular culture (he does not do so without critique). It is a challenge to me - to listen more and more to the voices of the young people around me - to see what they have to say. I’m very glad I read this.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder why you find God just as much in Mumford & Sons as in Jars of Clay? This books shows in theologically clear language why God does not just like and use "Christian" music (and movies and tv shows) in people's lives. It also helped me put language to why sometimes "Christian" music feels so flat and spiritless. This book inspired me to think about daring to do something like this in my congregation - perhaps looking for God in Mumford & Sons or even Downton Abbey? If you ever have the chance to hear Dr. Scharen talk, he is an amazing speaker (and he was one of my profs at Luther).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book that has informed my thinking of why secular music is important for Christians to engage with!