Personal Jesus: How Popular Music Shapes Our Souls

Engaging Culture

by Clive Marsh, Vaughan S. Roberts (Contributor)

Pop music is now an ever-present force shaping citizens in the West. Even at funerals, pop music is often requested over hymns. But how does popular music work? And what roles does it play for listeners who engage it? This new addition to the critically acclaimed Engaging Culture series explores the theological significance of the ways pop music is listened to and used today.

The authors show that popular music is used by religious and nonreligious people alike to make meaning, enabling listeners to explore human concerns about embodiment, creating communities, and tapping into transcendence. They assess what is happening to Christian faith and theology as a result. The book incorporates case studies featuring noted music artists of our day--including David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Sigur Ros, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga--and includes practical implications for the church, the academy, and daily musical listening. It also includes a foreword by Tom Beaudoin, author of Virtual Faith.

Genres: Religion, Pop Culture, Music, Cultural, Christianity, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Clive Marsh (DPhil, University of Oxford) is senior lecturer and director of learning and teaching at the Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Leicester, in Leicester, England. He is the author of many books, including Cinema and Sentiment: Film's Challenge to Theology and Theology Goes to the Movies: An Introduction to Critical Christian Thinking.

Reviews

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this one, and I ran out of renewals at the library. It was just too dry, the boring kind of academic approach that sucks the enjoyment out of a topic--even though the authors explicitly begin by saying they hope to avoid that. Good concept, boring execution.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very deep, very intelligent, very difficult writing.

This book has excellent thoughts and recommendations on how pop culture, particularly music, is replacing regular religion in the world today. It is a tough read, but largely useful information.

[Lamain · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I couldn't finish this book.
I'm a musician who has had plenty of experience with religious music (raised in the church, played in church bands, minister of music for three years, currently serving as a vocalist at my church), and this book did nothing to enlighten my view of music.
I'm aware that music has an affect on people. So while reading this book, I felt like the authors were telling me that 2 plus 2 is 4. And yes, 2 plus 2 is 4. Here, let me give you another example. *insert analysis of philosopher, artist, song, or major event* See? 2 plus 2 is 4. And in conclusion, 2 plus 2 is 4. 4. 4. 44444444...
Yes, I'm a little salty about it. I was looking forward to a new perspective, and I'm sure there are those who appreciate this book for what it does and the information in it. But I am not one of those people.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an Advanced Reading copy from the publisher.

This book definitely reads like a text book and would be great for a supplement while taking courses about music, pop culture, or theology. I really appreciated that the book was not heavily influenced by one denomination, rather they focused on how the music we listen to can have different meanings based on our faith.

Pros: Great citing of sources, very knowledgeable, you can tell the authors are very enthusiastic about their research, I loved reading this book because it has made me more conscious of the music I listen to and why I am listening to it.

Cons: Slow read, a little dry (but then again it is non-fiction which is not my forte)

Overall: I enjoyed reading it and I would happily recommend it to my non-fiction reading friends!

[Melissa]

This sounds like a book that I've never read before. I'm excited to receive this book and read it.