HEAR NO EVIL – My Story of Innocence, Music and the Holy Ghost by Matthew Paul Turner (A Book Review and A Give-Away!)

UPDATE: Beth...One Blessed Nana is the winner of Hear No Evil!!! YAY Beth! I will try to get in touch with you over the weekend to get your book to you! The winner was chosen by random.org!


Have you ever been afraid that listening to a syncopated drumbeat would cause evil spirits “ to shimmy their way inside” your head?

Have you ever been part of “covert operation, See Sandi Sing” so that your fellow church members would not be aware of your love for all things Sandi Patty?

Have you ever questioned, “Should I know who Dylan is?”

If you can answer yes to at least one of these questions, then you should read Matthew Paul Turner’s latest memoir, Hear No Evil and be prepared to laugh!

I would say Mr. Turner had been a fly on the wall of my life as I grew up in Fundamental Baptist churches in the Southeast but I can’t because he is younger than I am. However, our experiences with music and culture are very similar! The difference is, he can tell his story with humor and make us laugh!

After graduating from his small Christian school in Maryland, Matthew chose to go to Belmont College in Nashville to study music business. While there, he was confronted with different theologies and ways of relating to God. He also was exposed to secular culture and lost his “movie-theater virginity.” His fellow students questioned his beliefs and his upbringing and he questioned theirs. Then, he began visiting a church that some fellow students attended, and it wasn’t a Fundamental Baptist church…it was Presbyterian!

He went to church with his friend, Josiah, who was a Calvinist. Matthew says, “Talking to Josiah made me feel dumb,” only because Josiah knew why he believed a particular theology. Matthew responds in the book with, “I didn’t study God. I just memorized scripture verses and practiced Bible Trivia….I knew a thousand Bible verses by heart, but I couldn't explain why God’s story was important to me personally. At least not without using hell as a starting point.”

Matthew went on to manage a Christian coffee house in Nashville, booking Christian talent and hosting open mic night for people trying to become Christian talent! Oh, the stories he has to tell...I'm sure he left out more than he included in the book! He was also editor of the popular CCM, a magazine dedicated to Comtemporary Christian Music. While working for CCM, Matthew had opportunity to interview several well-known gospel artists, including Amy Grant. He even tells a bit about that interview in a chapter of the book titled "Chasing Amy."

While Matthew’s writings stir up many memories in my own life, I appreciate the fact that he can do so with laughter and wit. I also appreciate the heart this man now has for God…you can get to know Matthew a bit by reading his blog and visiting his website.

This book, Hear No Evil, is seriously funny and worth reading!

I'm excited to say I have been given one copy of Hear No Evil to giveaway!!! Just leave a comment below by Thursday, Feb 18, and I will have random.org choose a winner on Friday, Feb 19. Thank you to Matthew Paul Turner, Ashley Boyer and WaterBrook Press for this opportunity to bless one of my dear blog readers!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....like really good books and really cool authors!

God's girl, Pamela

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. If you would like to purchase this book or for more information please visit Random House.