For over three decades Bruce Springsteen's signature sound and poetic lyrics, which captures a certain glory found in the struggles of everyday life, have attracted fans and critics from around the globe. In The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen, Jeffrey Symynkywicz shows that a large part of Springsteen's enduring popularity is due in part to the way that his music connects to the human condition. Symynkywicz suggests that Springsteen's music helps us to make sense of the many complicated threads in our lives - especially in our experience with sin and redemption, faith and hope. Using a clear and inviting style, Symynkywicz treats each of Springsteen's albums as a chapter, exploring the history and context of Springsteen's music and the ways in which his songs express these spiritual themes.

In this engaging book, Jeffrey Symynkywicz, a minister and dedicated Springsteen fan, shows us that Bruce Spingsteen's enduring importance stems largely from the rich spiritual themes that run throughout his albums. With a lively and engaging style, Symynkywicz probes each of Springsteen's albums and shows how his music helps make sense of the many threads of our lives, including experiences of sin and redemption, fear and courage, and--above all--faith, hope, and love.

Jeffrey B. Symynkywicz is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and a Unitarian minister in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He is the author of five books on recent Eastern European history.

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, a driver rolled down his window and shouted to Bruce Springsteen, “We need you—now!” A few days later Springsteen appeared as part of a telethon to help victims’ families, and not long after released The Rising, with “Into the Fire” as a tribute to the 343 lost firefighters. It wasn’t the first or last time America would need the Boss—his support kept the Vietnam Veterans of America from disbanding, and his social critique since 9/11 has been loud in its protest of the Iraq War. According to Symynkywicz, Born in the USA is not only Springsteen’s greatest album, it represents the ambiguity of his gospel, his lover’s quarrel with an America he loves and fumes against. Symynkywicz explores these theological and political questions with the deftness of a Harvard-trained minister and a great Springsteen fan. He has clearly pored over these lyrics, multi-layered as they are, and sifted them through a theological filter. At times he offers a bit too much detail. Other times you’ll want to stop reading, turn on the Boss and dance in the dark, maybe even praying while you do. (June) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

http://www.christianbook.com/gospel-according-springsteen-redemption-asbury-magic/jeffrey-symynkywicz/9780664231699/pd/231699

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_review

__USERID__

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/ask_and_answer

• Books >> Christian Living >> Spirituality >> Christianity & Culture >> Music/Musicians
• Christian Living >> Spirituality >> Christianity & Culture >> Music/Musicians
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search

I'm the author/artist and I want to review The Gospel according to Bruce Springsteen: Rock and Redemption, from Asbury Park to Magic.