More than listening

So according to new laws (as if anyone reads my blog) I now have to inform you that I was given a free copy of “Hear No Evil” by Matthew Paul Turner (@jesusneedsnewpr) Actually I was given two free copies (now I hope the publishers dont read this) on accident so just like I was given a free book I am gonna pass one onto you. Stay tuned on how to win (or just scroll down to the bottom). Any ways here are some of my thoughts.

“Hear No Evil: My story of innocence, music and the Holy Ghost” by Matthew Paul Turner is exactly what is titled. All I knew of the author before this book was his blog and believe me innocence was not a word I would have ever connected to Turner. If you are like me and follow any blog on a daily basis (and I highly recommend you follow his) you begin to “connect” with the writer in an almost stalker way. Turner has been a guy who I enjoy at times and hate at times. But then again I think he likes it that way. I loved how his constant poking fun at Christianity but I was turned off by his animosity towards John Piper. Needless to say the book explains Turner to a “t.” I had no idea how conservative of a background he came from. I mean really really conservative fundamental baptist. As I turned the pages I couldn’t help but laugh and wince at times at how fundamental his church and family were in his upbringing. Fundamental and conservative as in Sandi Patty was a sin to listen to. What makes the read fun is that he never holds back his thoughts or any part of the story. I wondered if his family or churches or friends knew how brutally honest he was going to be. There were awkward moments in the book where Turner does such a crafty job of putting you there that you can’t help but feel awkward with him.

This book is totally out of my comfort zone and a break from my typical readings of Keller, Piper, Miller (okay its similar to Miller), Mahaney and Driscoll. But provided a much needed break. If you are the type of reader that never pauses for a breath of fresh air then I would highly recommend “Hear No Evil” If any thing guys like me need to be reminded through the stories of Turner’s life such valuable lessons of how arrogant a calvinist can come across, how ridiculous a judgment houses are (aka God’s little house of eternal torment and shame), how easy it is for teaches to teach denominations and not theology, and how much pain and damage the church can do to those in and out of it. If you sit on either end of the extreme from the wound too tight conservative (like me at times) to the bruised and fed up with the church person this book brings a brutal honesty that will make you life, squirm and bring hope all while tying in a constant theme of the place of music in Turner’s life. As Turner so perfectly says ”Music reminds us to trust God when people fail us.”  Now where did I put my copy of Desiring God?

HOW TO WIN A FREE COPY: Simply write down a “secular” song that has impacted your childhood and a snippet of how so. Make sure to include your email. Winner will be picked on Friday February 19th.