I consider Matthew Paul Turner to be one of the most consistent Christian authors alive right now. He also happens to be the funniest! Some of you might disagree, but then again some of you probably enjoy Carrot Top and watching Jersey Shore. If you need proof though it’s a good time to see for yourself. Today Matthew Paul Turner’s new book “Hear No Evil” was released, and if the buzz I’m seeing online is any indication of how well this book will do then I think it will be his biggest yet.
But before I go on, here is a Sandi Patti video:
A writer friend once told me that with books it doesn’t necessarily matter how good the writing is as long as the content resonates with the reader. And if that’s true then Matthew is a double threat. Not only does his work resonate with me– we were raised in the same fundamentalist denomination growing up– it is quality writing as well!
Reading Hear No Evil took me back to my childhood, where Sandi Patti was criticized for having percussion on her albums, and anything not talking about God was considered the Devil’s music. Funny fact, as a child I went through a church split, and what was it over? Our church split because the pastor wanted to bring contemporary Christian music into the church and a large number of the parishioners didn’t want it. Pretty petty reason to break up a body of believers, unless you’re an Independent Baptist and then it’s no big deal.
I highly encourage all of you to go out and buy this book. Not only is it funny, it is a chance to take a journey into a life transformed by music, and getting to witness that first hand is a pleasure.
The Portland Chapters 
katiecudmore
February 17, 2010
ME ME… HERE!!! OOOO OOOO OOOO… i want it.
Mark Traphagen
February 17, 2010
I am gratuitiously commenting here in order to win a copy of this book. And because typing in this box is keeping me from clicking on the Sandy Patty video.
Nelson Costa
February 17, 2010
I absolutely love it !!!! Matthew Paul Turner will be remembered as a pioneer of the new Christians worshipers .
Angela Stolpe
February 17, 2010
Pick me!! Pick me!! I have been seeing lots of great buzz about this book and would love a copy.
@brimcconnell
February 17, 2010
I loved Churched. Seems like I grew up in that exact same church. Can’t wait to read Hear No Evil. I remember the music minister talking about how bad all that devil music was and playing records backwards to prove all rock and roll was bad.
Michael Holtz
February 17, 2010
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. If I don’t win, I’m ordering it this week anyway 🙂
tragic_pizza
February 17, 2010
Dude, Matthew Paul Turner is as great a writer as he is a person. If I don’t win the book, I’m (eventually) buying it.
(and what are you doing making blog posts, Tim? GO WRITE, BOY!!!!) 😉
Jeff Goins
February 17, 2010
Nice review, Tim. Sounds like an interesting book. Given Matthew’s career with CCM, I think that his observations in the book would be especially compelling to read.
David Reynolds
February 17, 2010
I loved the first chapter of Hear No Evil, and would have already bought a copy if I had not lost my job.
Jason
February 18, 2010
David, if you don’t win it, I’ll get it for you. And if I win, you can have my copy.
Tim Kurek
February 18, 2010
Jason, that’s class! Nice to see!
Josh Alexander
February 17, 2010
It’s not often I find christian literature I can enjoy. Besides the bible, many books pertaining to Christianity are skewed and excessively fundamentalist. Often, they are also written by an extremely right wing advocate and have no regard for the separation of church and state. However, after reading a little of this book, it seems to me that Turner is an interesting person. It seems to be a good read and an even better commentary.
Jules
February 17, 2010
I can still do the sign language we did to this song. My mom always sung Sandi Patti songs, that or Evie. Do I get picked just by mentioning Evie or the fact I can still do the sign language to this song? I can also still do “Watch the Lamb” chorography as well. Yes, I used to be SUPER CHRISTIAN! 😉 Do I win NOW?!?!?!? 😉
Love ya brother!
Alastair
February 18, 2010
Hi – great way to get us to add comments, but a good review anyway ! Thanks, I’m intrigued by the book and would love to read it….
Kevin M.
February 18, 2010
How do I get you my mailing address so that you can send me the book? 😉
Jeff Richards
February 18, 2010
Oh, alright… 😉 I’m really going to want to read yours, though. Especially about your trip to the church that called you Satan, or whatever evil name they hurled at you. Not to bring up bad memories or anything… 😉
Tim Kurek
February 18, 2010
I’m working on it lol
Dayna
February 18, 2010
Thanks for the oppertunity to possibly get a copy.
Lindsey @ A New Life
February 18, 2010
Loved the review; can can’t wait to read the book!
Shellie (baylormum)
February 18, 2010
Can hardly wait to read beyond the 1st chapter! Been following MPT for several months and always enjoy his satire! But, MPT also has a serious side. Go to his blog & check out his stories from Uganda earlier this year. His heart is exposed and you see the non-satirical side of him. We can learn a lot by opening our minds to what the world has to offer. It’s not always comfortable, but, with God, and Sandi Patti, we can survive anything!
Roger McCort
February 18, 2010
I need a copy of this book! Sadly, I am too cheap to buy one at full price and people rarely send their MPT books to the used bookstores. But you could draw my name, and then my need would be fulfilled!
at_brown
February 18, 2010
I would love to have the book.
I had a friend who returned home from camp to find his sister had felt convicted about having ‘secular’ music in the house and had thrown away all of his cassettes. Fortunately my christian-music-store-owner-pastor-dad was also a musician and was pretty ok with most of what I wanted to listen to. Of course, for a long time my favorite band was DC Talk, and I guess that wasn’t too dangerous in my house.
Also, great marketing move–It got me here, and your site looks interesting!
groovitude
February 18, 2010
Matthew is one of my favorite authors, and he’s a nice, funny guy. I really want this book, and I have a love of words, as well. I’m going to check out your site a bit more, too. Good luck on your own book.
Onward, Forward, Toward…
February 18, 2010
Very interested in the book, therefore please count me as a candidate for the book.
Raised holiness / pentecostal but based on the reviews and the excerpts I have read, it seems to me that the stuff that Turner experienced as a child is very similar to the stuff I experienced as a child.
Kyokidayo
February 18, 2010
I don’t remember ALL of the sign language from this song, but watching the video just now brought up many elementary school memories. *Sigh* And the gift goes on….
Sarah Martin
February 18, 2010
count me in. P.S. I’m loving your blog-can’t wait to read more.
No, I’m not trying to kiss up to win the giveaway-I really do enjoy your writing!
1in150
February 18, 2010
I would love to win a copy!!