Someone Has to Care

“Scharen constructively develops a theology of spiritual giftedness . . . from examples of brilliant musicality in an African American artist and genre that become a trope to examine the transcendent prophetic gifting of voices for racial and social justice. The provocative call to other theologians and scholars is to take seriously the lived experiences of the millennial generation, whose worldviews are cogent for present and future as change agents.”


—Valerie Miles-Tribble, Berkeley School of Theology





“Hip-hop acts have been such an important prophetic voice for the world and for the church, and the Roots have been chief among them. This book effectively uses these hip-hop luminaries as a portal into the larger creative activity of God in hip-hop culture. Scharen is always a clear writer and a sharp historian. I recommend this book to my fellow humans who love hip-hop and love the church.”


—David Scherer, Cofounder of JUSTmove: Antiracism Education Through the Arts





“With verve, imagination, and White race consciousness, Scharen invites us on an incredible journey into hip-hop. The book is especially meant for those new to the subject but will also win over those who yearn to live out their calling with greater passion, playfulness, and purposeful pursuit of justice. A wonderful example of theology at work in the world.”


—Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, Vanderbilt University, retired





“Someone Has to Care is a deft, thoughtful exploration of the shared tapestry of hip-hop and theological imaginations. Christian Scharen writes with clarity and conviction as both a lover of music and a theologian, reminding us as readers that the play, passion, and purpose of life are serious, joyful matters. The result is a lovely paean not only to the Roots’ musical journey, but also to the prophetic possibility within us all.”


—Kyle Brooks, Methodist Theological School