Larry Norman - 1947 to 2008
February 25, 2008 by Jonathan Brink
Larry Norman died yesterday. (ht: TSK) If you listen to any kind of CCM, know that this man was deeply influential in helping get it off the ground. He broke down a lot of the significant barriers between gospel and rock. He was widely considered one of the godfathers of Jesus Music (along with Keith Green and Randy Stonehill).
One of the most haunting songs he ever wrote was “Wish We’d All Been Ready”. DC Talk covered it and for a long time it was one of my favorite songs.
Much love to you Larry. You’re sitting with kings today enjoying His love.
It was a shock to see it, even though he has been quite sick over the last few years. I think it feels this way because it closes a door and brings the reality of idealism down to earth.
For me he was one of those larger than life figures.
It also reminds me I’m not in college anymore.
Steve, do you think the Jesus People Movement was idealistic? It kind of feels like that in hind site. But so does much of the hippie culture. I was in Junior High during the late 70’s and although I was aware and even participating in aspects of the movement, I didn’t understand its implications at the time.
This gives me a great post idea.
Larry’s music was the first Christian stuff I heard, and ranks still high on my list. Met him a few times, and treasure those times. He was a good man who knows God.
As for idealism, this world as we know it will come to a close, filled with evil. Christ will return. True idealism relies on God, not on Man - not the Jesus Movement, not a president, not a church structure. Love our God, love our neighbor, but, in the end, its all God.
http://AnthonyTrendl.blogspot.com
Yes, the jesus movement was idealistic. Almost every movement in church is idealistic. John Wesley changed a generation and how they did church, but a hundred years later the same hardness and legalism crept in. The emerging church is the same. The church will be renewed in whatever form for a while, then it will need to be renewed again. It’s because people are involved. Communism makes sense except for the fact that people get corrupted.
We all have ideals… whether it be about people, or church and what it should be and look like, about God and how we think He should act.
Sometimes it is tied with hope - Take the Super Bowl, wouldn’t a perfect season be neat?
Sometimes it is tied to emotion. As you say, Anthony, it is all blah blah blah at heart, because sin is in the world and the one who blinds the eyes of the unbelievers is harder at work than we could ever realize. The one thing I don’t expect to ever be disappointed in is heaven. Maybe that is why the traditional church focuses so much on it. Nothing else is guaranteed except for God’s love.
Wow! Catching up on my blog reading and saw your post about Larry Norman. I am saddened at the loss of an innovator and creative force within music (and now modern day CCM). Larry was ahead of his time.
-Eric
(a.k.a. WeirdGuy)