Jeff Godwin

Jeff Godwin is a Christian fundamentalist preacher and author from Bloomington, Indiana. He is best known for his numerous books critical of both secular rock music and Christian rock music.

Godwin is a former drug addict and rock musician. [http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/1991/01/01-30-91tdc/01-30-91dnews-04.asp] He says that he survived the stampede that claimed the lives of 12 fans of The Who at their Cincinnati concert on December 3, 1979. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yhs6fDZdauAC&pg=PT118&dq=%22Jeff+Godwin%22+satan&sig=ACfU3U0IrOZ9fRtMBErlhcUm40qZXH9tFQ]

Conversion

Godwin was converted to fundamentalist Christianity in 1984 by his future wife's family. Godwin became a King James only fundamentalist very much in line with his mentor, Jack Chick, who publishes his works.

Teachings on rock music

According to Godwin, rock and roll music traces its origins back thousands of years. Its rhythms were written by Satan and his demons and have a subliminal power to control a listener's mind. The rhythms eventually found their way, via Africa, into the blues, jazz, and other forms of African American music before they appeared in rock music. In addition, rock music is loaded with references to sexual behavior of all kinds, and he believes it encourages fornication amongst youths and inspires lust. [cite book|title=Taboo Tunes|last=Blencha|first=Peter|year=2004|publisher=Backbeat books|isbn= 0879307927|pages=107|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5zCKz7aj9eQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Taboo+Tunes&sig=ACfU3U2HAOEoy-RnaCA8zb8J_AVEkCeYTg] He also believe it inspires rage, and it preaches "rebellion, hatred, drug abuse, suicide, fornication and the dark things of Satan." [cite book|title=Taboo Tunes|last=Blencha|first=Peter|year=2004|publisher=Backbeat books|isbn= 0879307927|pages=107|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5zCKz7aj9eQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Taboo+Tunes&sig=ACfU3U2HAOEoy-RnaCA8zb8J_AVEkCeYTg]

When Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a dove, Godwin viewed it as seeing his desire to destroy the Holy Spirit, which is often represented by a dove. [http://www.usask.ca/relst/jrpc/art5-devilmusic-print.html] Satanic symbols dating back centuries, Godwin maintains, can be found in the album covers of rock music, testifying to Satan's power. While Godwin believes that Satanic messages have been backmasked (recorded backwards) on rock albums, he believes that Satan's presence in rock music has rarely required hiding. Godwin sees Satan's influence in music as being maintained by secret alliances between rock musicians, producers, and promoters uniting with demons and Satan himself. He further believes that Christian rock is another diversion created by Satan, as the rock music industry itself is compromised by Satan. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bYYxNTv9EDoC&pg=PA92&dq=%22Jeff+Godwin%22+satan&sig=ACfU3U3iKkgxzVa94Ykes_RnkDjNnVQz0A] The Christianity preached in Christian rock he says is feel good, inoffensive and does not genuinely preach Christ. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bYYxNTv9EDoC&pg=PA92&dq=%22Jeff+Godwin%22+satan&sig=ACfU3U3iKkgxzVa94Ykes_RnkDjNnVQz0A]

Published works

*cite book |last=Godwin |first=Jeff |title=Devil's Disciples: The Truth About Rock Music |year=1986 |publisher=Chick Publications |isbn=0937958239
*cite book |last=Godwin |first=Jeff |title=Dancing With Demons: The Music's Real Master |year=1988 |publisher=Chick Publications |isbn=093795828X
*cite book |last=Godwin |first=Jeff |title=What's Wrong With Christian Rock? |year=1990 |publisher=Chick Publications |isbn=0937958360
*cite book |last=Godwin |first=Jeff |title=Rock & Roll Religion: A War Against God |year=1995 |publisher=Rock Ministries |isbn=0964373203

References

External links

* [http://www.freedomministries.org.uk/godwin/index.shtml The Jeff Godwin Archive]