The Gospel and Jazz
Monday April 27, 2009
Categories: Pastoring and Leading
Do you know about Robert Gelinas and his new book Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith ? There are very few books like this one -- in fact, there is none. I really liked this book, and I will...
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About Jesus Creed
Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...
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I will read this book! As a great fan of Jazz music, I have long understood my faith and discipleship through the lens of improvisation. Thank you Scot for bringing this book to out attention.
Robert Gelinas is something else. I wish I could go to his Finding the Groove Live tomorrow night... For now, I'm stuck in Texas watching the promotional video:
http://www.jazztheologian.com/findingthegroove/2009/04/finding-the-groove-live.html
Sounds great. One thing we really need in our day is people who can use apt metaphors to stimulate our imaginations and turn our too-often "prose" Christianity into "poetry;" or, to use Gelinas's picture, to take people who are "playing scales" and think that this is following Christ, and turn them into jazz prodigies!
I seem to remember that Harvey Cox developed the analogy between Pentecostalism and jazz in Fire from Heaven. There is, of course, a genetic relationship there, since Pentecostalism and jazz share roots in African-American Gospel.
Musical analogies applied to theology are illuminating I think (even for a non-musician like me) - Tom Wright uses the analogy with classical music quite a bit in his writing, and there's Jeremy Begbie's work too. I think the attraction of these analogies is that they do justice to theology as a creative art, albeit one that is faithful to a score or certain musical themes. The jazz/classical analogies are both rich, but also different - improvisation versus interpretation.
I bet this purple abbess would resonate with the notes in this book.... ;^)
I am a member of Colorado Community Church and just finished Robert's book, "Finding the Groove". It was probably the most workable metaphor I have understood to bring what Paul calls the "body of Christ" to a new light. It challenged me to learn to play my "instrument", to know the basic rhythms and beats of my faith, to understand how to play together with others, and the importance of finding my own voice.
A beautiful picture of community functioning organically with what Robert calls a "jazz-shaped faith". It's a short, well written, easy read. Definitely worth your time.
I've had the privilege of reading his book already, plus I've gotten to meet him and actually discuss jazz theology with him before the book came out. The book is worth reading, even to those who are not necessarily jazz fans. However, being a jazz fan will probably enhance the read. I am excited to see some african americans voices starting to be heard in the missional community, that has been a concern of mine. Good lookin out Scot!
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