Having just begun a new research project, I knew it would be a long time before I’m ready to write another book based on my fieldwork. That along with an invitation from my friend Chris Scharen inspired a very different kind of writing project: a short theological reflection on Cloud Cult, an alternative rock band. Chris is editing a whole series of these published by Cascade Books and I thought it was a great fit for the next year or so.
The idea behind the book is simple. Nothing else has sustained my spiritual journey over the last decade more than the music of Cloud Cult. Frontman Craig Minowa’s lyrical writing explores a range of challenging and existential themes. If you haven’t ever heard of them, here’s a small taste of what you might hear:
There must be healing here, cuz everybody here has been damaged.
And we'll wear it like a tattoo, every scar is a smile.
To hell with the going down.
There must be afterlife here, cuz we all pray for resurrection.
You see, the end comes quick as a bullet. (Purpose)And when they burn your body, all that’s left are sand crystals
two tiny handfuls – all the rest is water.
All you need to know is you were born of water,
you are made of water, you are living water. (When Water Comes to Life)We were made to walk through fire in our dance shoes
We were made to sail upon the meteors.
We were made to love the heck out of our bones.
God gave us words, they were “I love you, please, and thank you”.
God gave us thirst, and it’s a hunger for the universe. (The Great Unknown)There’s no use in running, unless you run like heck.
The best things we’ve learned, we learned from the wreck.
Jesus coming back as a woman this time,
handing out hugs in the clinic line.
Someone tell the devil we don’t need no hell.
We’re all pretty good at beating up ourselves. (No Hell)Through their lyrics and other sources, the book will explore a series of themes that have come to characterize today’s contemporary spiritual landscape. The project’s working title comes from the title of what may be my favorite (hard to choose!) song of theirs. For now, I’ll just leave you with an acoustic performance of “You were born.”