“I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!” — Keith Green

The first conquest of my summer reading list is the Keith Green biography written by his wife Melody Green. It is the life story of musician, writer, and controversial Christian Keith Green who died at the young age of 28, along with his two small children, in a plane crash.  Anyone who’s been around a church worship service in the last 20 years is probably familiar with “O, Lord You’re Beautiful” and “Easter Song” among others.

For a relatively short life, the book was rather exhaustive, covering his entire life from birth to the day he died. At times it was a bit slow and difficult to read. I actually put it down twice in favor of other books.

Reading his spiritual journey was the most interesting to me. He literally tried it all. He had a Jewish heritage, but was raised a Christian Scientist. Later he tried mysticism, drugs, psychology, Buddhism, and various other religions and philosophies, until “Christ broke through” and he accepted Jesus as his savior.

Mostly I found the biography uncomfortable and painful, but it was also inspiring and challenging. Keith’s zealousness for Christ and works of faith were over the top at times. His motivation always seemed to come from a pure heart but mostly it was his constant condemnation of his self and a lack of understanding of grace that were so painful for me to read. He spent most of his 8 years as a Christian wondering if God really loved him and if he were really saved.

His desire to serve the Lord even to the point of  cramming dozens of people he met off the street into his tiny home. His generosity. His music. His vision for world missions. His belief in the importance of discipleship. This was what I found challenging and inspiring.

All in all when it comes to his spiritual journey I would recommend the reading of that to most anyone. When it comes to much of Christian life though I’d be cautious. His life was amazing and his music even more so and I’d recommend the listening of the latter to everyone.

Perhaps most importantly, was his life indeed No Compromise? I’d say so.

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