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The Bible and Bob Marley: Half the Story Has Never Been Told
With a Bible and guitar, Bob Marley set out to conquer the world of popular music. Rising from humble origins to international stardom, he worked tirelessly to spread a dual message of resistance and redemption--a message inspired by his reading of scripture. Marley's constant reliance on the Bible throughout the stages of his artistic and spiritual paths is an integral part of his story that has not been sufficiently told--until now.
This is the first book written on Bob Marley as biblical interpreter. It answers the question, What light does biblical scholarship shed on Marley's interpretation, and what can Marley teach biblical scholars?
Focusing on the parts of the Bible that Marley quotes most often in his lyrics, MacNeil provides a close analysis of Marley's interpretation. For students of Marley, this affords a deeper appreciation and understanding of his thought and his art. For students of scripture, it demonstrates the nature of Marley's unique contribution to the field of biblical interpretation, which can be appreciated as an excellent example of what R. S. Sugirtharajah calls "vernacular interpretation" of scripture.
"This is quite simply a wonderful piece of innovative scholarship. Marley's many followers will surely be impressed with how seriously his words are treated in this book. Dean MacNeil combines a passionate engagement of Marley's lyrics with the critical eye of a serious student of the Bible."
--Daniel Smith-Christopher, Professor of Old Testament, Loyola Marymount University
"This lucid and well-researched book is a salutary example of careful and sympathetic theological engagement of an important figure in popular culture by a musician-cum-biblical scholar who knows and loves his subject."
--J. Richard Middleton, Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis, Northeastern Seminary
"Dean MacNeil continues the tradition of transgressive readings of the Bible from the perspective of the subjectivized present . . . inviting the reader to engage the Bible through the lens of the modern biblical shaman, Bob Marley. As a result, the musical legacy of Bob Marley has been opened up for critical reevaluation."
--David A. Sánchez, Director of the American Cultures Studies Program, Loyola Marymount University
Dean MacNeil holds an MA in theology from Loyola Marymount University and a BA in English Literature from the University of Michigan. His interests lie in the intersection of music and theology. MacNeil has worked in the music industry for two decades and is a lifelong musician. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has served in young adult and music ministries.
This is the first book written on Bob Marley as biblical interpreter. It answers the question, What light does biblical scholarship shed on Marley's interpretation, and what can Marley teach biblical scholars?
Focusing on the parts of the Bible that Marley quotes most often in his lyrics, MacNeil provides a close analysis of Marley's interpretation. For students of Marley, this affords a deeper appreciation and understanding of his thought and his art. For students of scripture, it demonstrates the nature of Marley's unique contribution to the field of biblical interpretation, which can be appreciated as an excellent example of what R. S. Sugirtharajah calls "vernacular interpretation" of scripture.
"This is quite simply a wonderful piece of innovative scholarship. Marley's many followers will surely be impressed with how seriously his words are treated in this book. Dean MacNeil combines a passionate engagement of Marley's lyrics with the critical eye of a serious student of the Bible."
--Daniel Smith-Christopher, Professor of Old Testament, Loyola Marymount University
"This lucid and well-researched book is a salutary example of careful and sympathetic theological engagement of an important figure in popular culture by a musician-cum-biblical scholar who knows and loves his subject."
--J. Richard Middleton, Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis, Northeastern Seminary
"Dean MacNeil continues the tradition of transgressive readings of the Bible from the perspective of the subjectivized present . . . inviting the reader to engage the Bible through the lens of the modern biblical shaman, Bob Marley. As a result, the musical legacy of Bob Marley has been opened up for critical reevaluation."
--David A. Sánchez, Director of the American Cultures Studies Program, Loyola Marymount University
Dean MacNeil holds an MA in theology from Loyola Marymount University and a BA in English Literature from the University of Michigan. His interests lie in the intersection of music and theology. MacNeil has worked in the music industry for two decades and is a lifelong musician. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has served in young adult and music ministries.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2013
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113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 13, 2023
I’ve always enjoyed listening to Reggae music, especially Bob Marley. Listening to his music, i quickly discovered that Bob’s Lyrics contained many quotes and references to the Holy Bible. As someone who has spent most of his life reading and studying the Bible. I was very intrigued to know exactly why. So I was very pleased and excited to discover and read this book.
As popular culture may have led you to believe; Bob Marley was not just merely some herb smoking hippie with a guitar. Quite the contrary. At his core, he was a deeply convicted religious and spiritual person.
If you are familiar with the Bible, It was quite easy to pick up on the many Biblical qoutes and references in his music. According to this book, all of his albums on Island records Bob quotes, references or alludes to biblical scripture 137 times.
So why exactly were so many of his songs inspired by the Bible ?
Because Bob was a Rastafarian and as a Rastafarian, the Holy Bible was a central part of his faith. So when Bob needed inspiration or wisdom, the Bible is where he found it. It’s said that Bob fought his battles with a guitar in one hand and his bible in the other.
It is important to mention that Bob was committed to Rastafari teaching and spent most of his life as a Rasta. Though Rastafarians read the Bible and base many of its beliefs and teaching from it. It is separate religion from Christianity. Rasta’s recognize the Holy Bible as God’s word, but understand biblical eschatology and Christology differently then Orthodox Christianity.
However, it is believed that before Bob died. He was baptized and converted to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.
I definitely recommend this book for any fans of Bob Marley and those curious about his faith and spirituality.
As popular culture may have led you to believe; Bob Marley was not just merely some herb smoking hippie with a guitar. Quite the contrary. At his core, he was a deeply convicted religious and spiritual person.
If you are familiar with the Bible, It was quite easy to pick up on the many Biblical qoutes and references in his music. According to this book, all of his albums on Island records Bob quotes, references or alludes to biblical scripture 137 times.
So why exactly were so many of his songs inspired by the Bible ?
Because Bob was a Rastafarian and as a Rastafarian, the Holy Bible was a central part of his faith. So when Bob needed inspiration or wisdom, the Bible is where he found it. It’s said that Bob fought his battles with a guitar in one hand and his bible in the other.
It is important to mention that Bob was committed to Rastafari teaching and spent most of his life as a Rasta. Though Rastafarians read the Bible and base many of its beliefs and teaching from it. It is separate religion from Christianity. Rasta’s recognize the Holy Bible as God’s word, but understand biblical eschatology and Christology differently then Orthodox Christianity.
However, it is believed that before Bob died. He was baptized and converted to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.
I definitely recommend this book for any fans of Bob Marley and those curious about his faith and spirituality.
January 23, 2018
When one discovers that you're a devoted listener to Bob Marley and the Wailers, the immediate assumption tends be that you also support the legalization of marijuana, partake of it yourself and the secret confines of your closet must be decorated with marijuana leaves and paraphernalia. It's too bad that this part of his history overshadows what, to me, is the real draw to his music: He read his Bible. Whereas I disagree with the Rastafari applications, no one can doubt that he was a devoted reader and sought to live as best he could to what he perceived to be God's word. This book was a much needed/desired remedy to the obvious lack of addressing this aspect of his legacy. The author himself notes how conspicuous the lack of address to Marley's bible is among the some 400 books dealing with him. The great summary? "The picture of Marley that has emerged from this study is that of a wisdom teacher with a Pauline sense of mission." The author does a great job bringing this to the surface by deeply analyzing key songs during the Island Records era. If you're a Marley fan, and a student of the Bible, this book will not disappoint. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2023
Dean MacNeil embarked on an audacious endeavor and he nailed it! Awesome read. Those who love reggae music, yearn for wisdom from antiquity, strive to resist the "system" (i.e., Babylon) or know (rather than merely believe) we can make the world a better place through unity (or, as Bob would say,"Inity") will most certainly enjoy ("fulljoy") reading this book. I suspect Bible scholars would be enlightened reading it too.
April 3, 2019
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