Blues Music and Gospel Proclamation

This book brings to light the gripping account of Lehmann's unbowed witness to Christian faith amid the totalitarian oppression of Nazi Germany. Moreover, it offers a compelling case study of how revitalization can occur even, and especially, amid such adverse conditions, for which there are numerous applications in our present day.



--J. Steven O'Malley, John T. Seamands Professor of Methodist Holiness History, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY





It seems to me that Theo's interest in jazz is itself a testimony to the freedom the Spirit brings--the improvisation by which God counters the dark passages of life under tyranny. I hope Theo's story will profoundly challenge those of us in North America to realize again that the gospel is not only about our personal salvation, but that Jesus is Lord over all the powers--political, economic, cultural--which so easily seduce us.



--Leighton Ford, President Leighton Ford Ministries, Lifetime Honorary Chair, Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization





On my first visit to the German Democratic Republic nearly forty years ago, I heard of a daring young pastor named Theo Lehmann, whose use of blues and jazz in the service of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ was provoking Communist officials and appealing to great numbers of German young people within the Marxist system. This sparklingly told narrative should command wide attention and careful reading--lest we forget.



--Robert Kolb, Missions Professor of Systematic Theology, Director of the Institute for Mission Studies, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis