Story of Rhythm and Grace, A: What the Church Can Learn from Rock and Roll about Healing the Racial Divide

By Jimi Calhoun

Book Overview

From Saturday Night Rockin' to Sunday Morning Reconciliation Before becoming a pastor, Jimi Calhoun performed alongside many world-famous musicians, including: Jimi Hendrix / Etta James / Hank... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158743220X
• ISBN13: 9781587432200
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Eye Opening

I wanted to wrap my arms around this author and say I'm sorry. The unbelievable stories told made me even more aware of how our words and actions effect others. Being white, I was never exposed to such circumstances and never really looked from the other side. The connection he made to music, religion and racism was enlightening. This well written book was easy to read and I did not want to put it down. I feel this book should be in the pews of every church.

Until you've walked a mile in their shoes

Overall, because of the content and style, a very enjoyable read. I found myself frequently using the highlight marker and highlighting many wisdom nuggets I wanted to remember. And that's before I even got out of the Prologue :-) Jimi is a great story teller, and therefore I found this book to be ... I almost used the word "entertaining", but the better word would be "engaging." Both of those keep you enrapt and wanting to read on, but the second one is deeper and more intellectually and spiritually stimulating (as well as emotionally). Chapter 2 stories were at times painful, but need to be heard. That is, as you read the many experiences of the author, there will be a secondary benefit ... you will end up seeing all the thoughts and feelings you have (or don't have) about the issue of race. Therefore, this could be a great book for classrooms, the media and church groups to kick off conversations about race relations ... their history, and how they can be improved. The author makes the point that the job of racial harmony is not over. In fact, we are just at a crossroads, and therefore these discussions are needed. Hopefully this book will be a tool to make them happen.

HELD MY INTEREST THROUGHOUT!

I read this book and thought it was wonderful! I can understand how the world of music would make skin color inconsequential because it is a creative world and creativity doesn't observe boundaries. The church has some man made elements as an institution that sometimes hinders the heart of it. Most of the time I have been oblivious to race situations and it is probably because I never really had to think about it since being white it didn't affect me directly. No human being should feel like he or she is worth more than another human being. It is such a dangerous thing. It brings out the worst in us. I'm not a literary critic, but I thought this book was very well written and had interesting anecdotes to illustrate the main points. It held my interest throughout. I want to read it again!

Great Read -- Church, Race and Rock and Roll!

Jimi Calhoun has written a very thought provoking and entertaining piece of work, melding rock and roll, religion and race relations. As I read his accounts of race problems, I would think to myself, "no way this is still happening -- this is all in the past -- we elected Obama, it's all fixed now." Then I would turn on the t.v. and see the latest news reports: Highland Mall, Austin, Texas, shuts down early during Texas Relays because of what management called "security concerns." (note: Texas Relays draws mostly African-American contestants and spectators). OR, Ryan Moats, NFL player, held at gunpoint and harassed by Dallas policeman outside a Dallas hospital as he tried to make it to the bedside of his dying mother-in-law... OR, Texas State Rep. Betty Brown (R)saying that Asian-Americans should change their names because they're too hard to pronounce: "Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese -- I understand it's a rather difficult language -- do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?" Brown said. I had no idea all of this was still going on (and this is just one week of news in one State!). Mr. Calhoun's book offers great insights as he encourages us to learn from our past, not live in it and to hold on to the progress we have already made. We must forgive and go forward. This is a delightful book that I hope will not only entertain, but will make everyone aware that there is still a whole lot of work that needs to be done.

Loved this book!

Jimi has written a riveting account of his life journey through his years as a rock 'n roll musician who played with many of the most well known pop musicians of the '60s and '70s as well as his time in more recent years as a Christian pastor and the startlingly different treatment he received as a black man in both arenas. Apparently rock 'n roll has something to teach the church. Rock on, Jimi!