A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel

Edgar (Created and Creating), an apologetics professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, explores the intersections of Christianity and jazz in this stimulating chronicle. “Jazz cannot be understood apart from its relationship to... the Christian faith,” the author contends, using music theory and Black liberation theology to examine jazz’s musical structure; its origins in slavery, swing, and blues; and its ongoing social relevance. Edgar suggests that Christianity and jazz share messages of suffering, protest, and joy, and that they proffer lessons on dealing with life’s “vicissitudes: the gospel through its practical spirituality, and jazz through its improvisation.” The author also posits that despite slave owners’ abuse of Christianity to justify slavery, the faith has played an integral role in the history of Black Americans: “Much of the joy that developed in Black life and that is expressed in jazz is owed to the Christian message.” The author sometimes overstates the centrality of Christianity to jazz, but his insightful discussions of works by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington make this worth the price of admission. Jazz lovers will appreciate this soulful volume. (July)