‘Hear No Evil: My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost’ by Matthew Paul Turner – Book Review

Matthew Paul Turner is a blogger, speaker and author of several books.  He is also the former editor of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) Magazine.  

Not only that, but he’s a funny guy!  I have been reading his blog, ‘Jesus Needs New PR’ and his tweets for a while now.  When I found out he had a new book coming out, I wanted to be one of the first to read it!


That latest book, ‘Hear No Evil: My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost,’ a memoir of his earlier years, did not disappoint! 

Here’s a video of his adorable son, Elias, helping his daddy promote 'Hear No Evil':

Matthew had a very conservative upbringing.  Here’s his take on it:

“I was raised in an ultraconservative Baptist church where emotion and honesty were even less compatible than Christian fundamentalism and self-worth.  At my church whenever somebody capable of emotional honesty became a member, it created a situation similar to my father’s lectures about a new puppy: “‘As long as it never poops on the carpet, I’ll let it be an ‘inside dog.’”  Anyone was welcome to join us for worship on Sundays, as long as they never emotionally pooped on the carpet.  Most of us kids were “house-trained” before we’d memorized our multiplication tables.” (p. 8)

Matthew muses about his childhood, and the judgmentalism and narrowness of the thinking that is pervasive in many Christian circles.  Some of his examples were so surreal, ridiculous and outlandish that they defied imagination – but they are all too true.  Sometimes, it is best to just laugh at these situations!

Music has been an important element in his life, and it is a main theme in this book.  Here is his explanation of his fandom of Sandi Patty:

“… Since many in my church deemed her evil, being Sandi’s fan made me feel edgy and full of rage, like I was bucking the fundamentalist system.  I didn’t get many opportunities to buck.  I rarely felt the need to.  But Sandi’s music was like contraband at IBBC [his church]…. Nobody garnered popularity points getting caught with a Sandi Patty cassette in their pocket.  That was like a guy admitting he sort of liked the song “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club or piercing the wrong earlobe to make a statement.  If a teacher learned about my loyalty to Sandi, they labeled me a heathen; if one of the kids at my Christian school found out, they assumed I was gay.” (p. 39)  

One more example of his clever prose:

“For as long as I could remember, I have lived a separate existence from normal people.  I don’t believe I comprehended to what extent my life was different from the lives of other people my age, but I wasn’t naïve to how detached we were.  Sure, my parents installed a chastity belt around my brain to keep out unwanted predators like Pee-Wee Herman and the anti-God protagonist who wrote 1984, but I wasn’t ignorant.  I knew my family was different.  I like being different.” (p. 112)

I could go on and on with my praise, but instead will encourage you to read ‘Hear No Evil’ for yourself!  There are just too many pages that are highlighted!  This is one book I will be reading multiple times.

I have been reading many books of late which have been stretching me (all of which are reviewed on this blog) – Mark Batterson’s ‘Primal,’ Gary Thomas’ ‘Pure Pleasure,’ Susie Larson’s ‘Embracing Your Freedom,’ Randy Elrod’s ‘Sex, Lies and Religion,’ and Mary DeMuth’s ‘Thin Places.’ among others.  This book is no exception.  I have had my bouts of being judgmental and narrow-minded over the years, and it is very clear to me that Jesus is none of those!  He operates in love, and that is what I have been learning time and time again lately.  I am glad to see that Matthew has seen that truth as well! 

Other titles by Matthew are:

Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess

Provocative Faith: Walking Away from Ordinary

The Christian Culture Survival Guide: The Misadventures of an Outsider on the Inside

The Coffeehouse Gospel: Sharing Your Faith In Everyday Conversation

What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents About: Sex: A Guide to a Touchy Subject

Relearning Jesus: How Reading the Beatitudes One More Time Changed My Faith


Hokey Pokey: Curious People Finding What Life's All About

This book was provided to me for review purposes by Waterbrook Press.

‘Embracing Your Freedom’ by Susie Larson – Book Review

The latest book I have read, ‘Embracing Your Freedom,’ by Susie Larson, deals with how our freedom in Christ, which He so want us to accept, can be transformed into helping those in the world who are also suffering. Dealing with the subject of slavery – whether it be physical or spiritual - sounds like it may be depressing, but Mrs. Larson points us to the hope and the transformation that comes only through Christ. And He wants us to reach other people after we’ve been set free. Rarely in my life have I been so profoundly affected by a book. It is clear from Susie’s writing that she has a compassionate heart for people –especially for women.


I was unfamiliar with Susie Larson prior to reading this book. This is what I learned in my research (from her website):

With enthusiasm, humor, and conviction, author/speaker Susie Larson has spoken to thousands of women locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Women in Christian Media, and serves on the board of directors for the Christian Authors Network. Susie also serves a regular guest host for Along the Way – a two-hour talk radio show (AM Faith 900).
In addition to authoring several books and many articles, Susie works as a freelance writer for Focus on the Family, and has been featured as a guest on radio and TV programs across the country, including Moody Midday Connection, Family Life Today, Chris Fabry Live!, The Harvest Show, and the LIFE Today Show with James and Betty Robison.


Susie’s books are ‘The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary’ and ‘Alone in Marriage: Encouragement For the Times When It’s All Up to You’ (both of which I will be reviewing), plus ‘Balance That Works When Life Doesn't: Simple Steps to a Woman's Physical and Spiritual Health’ and ‘Mercy in the Wilderness: A Selfish Heart a Faithful God.’

Susie and her husband, Kevin, are involved with a ministry called International Justice Mission, 

and what she has learned through her affiliation has affected her deeply. IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. Their four-fold purpose is: 1) Victim Relief; 2) Perpetrator Accountability; 3) Victim Aftercare; and 4) Structural Transformation


The Lord seems to be directing me lately to three subjects which are of utmost importance in this book: 1) freedom in Christ; 2) social justice; and 3) God’s supremacy/sovereignty. Susie really illuminates these subjects in this book. She lays her heart out – open and exposed – to show what the Lord has done in her life.


I found this book to be deep and revealing and life-changing – if you allow the Lord to implement the changes in your life and illuminate the dark places. That is usually an unpleasant situation to place yourself in, but it is only through sin and darkness being exposed that real healing from the Lord can come. Susie has been healed in many areas of her life, and her heart is to use that healing and freedom to help others. It has certainly opened my eyes to subjects (such as human trafficking, sexual abuse) which we tend to avert our gaze. Susie points out the fact that Jesus, instead of looking the other way, actively sought out those people who were the most deeply wounded. Susie directs us to do the same, and – after reading this book – you will also be compelled and drawn to do just that. I thank her for exposing her heart and making us aware of these issues – and reminding us of the freedom that Christ can give.


I was especially touched by her account of the Lord’s healing of her son, Jordan. He’d suffered a serious back injury playing football and had been in excruciating pain for months. Two of Susie’s friends related two stories of people being miraculously healed from the same type of back injury. Both Susie and Jordan claimed that same healing for him. Shortly thereafter, Jordan attended a youth group in which a young man who’d just returned from a missions trip related how the Lord had healed a ‘sick kid’ when this young man had prayed for him. Jordan heard the Lord’s still small voice tell him “That’s the boy I want to pray for you.” Jordan tracked down the young man after the meeting. The young man prayed for him, Jordan felt a warm sensation on his back, and was instantly healed! My husband, Fred, was healed from a serious illness in January, 2007, so I can relate to the fact that the Lord still heals! I was excited to hear how the Lord touched the Larson family as well! As Susie relates in her book, “The Bible says ask, and keep asking. Believe, and keep believing. Trust, and keep trusting. As I read God’s living Word and ponder my son’s miracle, I know anything is possible with God.” Amen to that!


Let me close with this parting thought from the book:


"Jesus paid a staggering price for our salvation and our freedom, and the salvation and freedoms of others. He set us free that we may become freedom fighters- willing to advocate for those still waiting for release. God loves justice and we will be very near to His heartbeat when we tend to the desires of His heart." (p. 265)


This book was provided to me by Moody Publishers for review purposes.