book review vol. fourteen: No Compromise
by D.O.
It’s been a long while since I last published a book review, and for good reason too: it’s been a long while since I last finished a book. That said, I give you a review for No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green.
As you may have ascertained from the book’s title, this is a biography. Those of you who are really observant may have already gathered that Keith’s wife, Melody, wrote the book. I point that out just to lend more credibility to the book’s contents, which are quite enjoyable.
She tells the story of her husband who, if you aren’t familiar, was a pretty big “star” in the Christian music world in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I’d compare him to a blend of Jason Upton and Chris Tomlin today, to give you an idea. Keith was an awesome man. He didn’t become a believer until after he turned 20, and from that moment on, he went hard after Jesus and the things of Jesus.
Keith saw things in black and white, and he was a real passionate, in your face kind of guy. He’d say things from the stage – or in churches, or meetings – that weren’t popular things to say. And he didn’t do it for controversy’s sake, he did it because he firmly believed the things he was saying were straight from the heart of God. One of the things he’d often say at shows was how he hated the fact that people thought of him as a star (hence the quotes used above). It bothered him to the point that he was willing to give up his music career to avoid bringing glory to himself… something I doubt many folks today would be willing to do.
He lived out his convictions in a stronger way than most men do. At one point in the midst of his very successful music career, he felt like he should not be charging money for his music because he felt the Gospel should be free, so he put a pay-what-you-can pricing standard in place, both at his shows and at local music stores who carried his music. Another example of his saying unpopular things: he once told a group of fellow popular Christian music artists that they were in sin because they charged for their music and their shows. Like I said, things were pretty black and white for him.
This book gives a very detailed portrayal of Keith’s life, and his struggles with his faith and how it worked in the world around him. He was so honest, both in his life and in his writings, and the Lord really used him to touch a lot of people.
When Keith was 28 he died in a place crash with 11 other people, including two of his children, outside his East Texas home. Though the Lord obviously knew what He was doing in taking Keith home, I would really love to have seen what he’d look like if he were still around today, and what kind of impact he’d have continued to make on the Church if he weren’t taken home so early.
So if you’re in to examples of people living out their biblical convictions in the context of being a “star”, then I recommend this book. I’d especially recommend it for people who are in to music, and for those who are thinking of (or already are) pursuing music as a career.
Thanks to Hannah for the recommendation, and for putting the book in my hand.
Comments
I’ve always likened Keith’s style to a ‘Christian Elton John’.
Manna burgers!
Good.
Will this be filed under books or music or some other category or all of the above?
Like I said D.O., feel free to keep the book. You probably need to read it again if you are comparing my boy Keith to Chris Tomlin. You know Keith’s the O.G. Incomparable. And to Tomlin? Unacceptable.
Hannah, I will have to agree, and I am still regretting that I didn’t talk with you about your dreads.
D.O., you should come over sometime and watch the Keith Green dvd with us, or you could just borrow it. I’d enjoy watching it again as well.
Ba-mannah bread!
Oh, in my defense, I only compared Keith to Tomlin in regards to Tomlin’s popularity… not (at all) in regards to his heart or spirit or demeanor. I apologize for the confusion. I should have been clearer.