Raising Cain, Fleeing Egypt, and Fighting Philistines: The Old Testament in Popular Music - Paperback

by Joel Emerson (Author), Mark McEntire (Author)

One of the factors that sometimes provides art with a richer sense of texture is its ability to draw an allusion to the classic expressions of human culture, thought, and experience. The Bible is no exception and has often been received through its incorporation into works of art- the plays of Shakespeare, the paintings of Rembrandt, the sculptures of Michelangelo, the stories of Flannery O'Connor, the films of Martin Scorsese. Raising Cain, Fleeing Egypt, and Fighting Philistines considers the overwhelming influence that Old Testament imagery has had on some of the most popular musical artists of our time- from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen to OutKast. Ideal for use in personal reflection or small group study, this book contains questions for consideration and discussion after each chapter. Also included are handy charts linking the considered songs to their biblical references, creating an ease-of-use for teaching and further study.

Author Biography

Mark McEntire is Associate Professor of Religion at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is also the author of Dangerous Worlds: Living and Dying in Biblical Texts. Joel Emerson is the Associate Pastor at Brook Hollow Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in commercial music, Christian education and creative arts in ministry.