Rich Mullins: A Devotional Biography: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven

If one had to name the most influential musician in Christian contemporary music of the last 40 years, the answer might be Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Stephen Curtis Chapman, and several other well-known names. But the musician who influenced them, and had an impact that is still reverberating 18 years after his death, is Rich Mullins.Song after song, hit after hit, Mullins was as known for his music as he was for his rather iconoclastic reaction to fame. He shrugged it off. He saw himself as a broken vessel, redeemed by his Creator, and his music reflected that belief.And millions of people identified with that music. “My God is an Awesome God,” “Step by Step,” “Creed,” “Elijah” – songs written and recorded by Mullins and recorded by scores of other musicians. Some have already made their way into contemporary hymn books.Mullins was also known for his friendship with Brennan Manning (1937-2013), and was counseled by Manning the last few years of his life. Mullins adopted Brenann’s “Ragamuffin gospel” for the name of his band, and how he described himself – a ragamuffin.Mullins’ influence extended into my own family. I can remember how the news of his death in an automobile accident in 1997 affected both my wife and my oldest son, who was then in high school. For them and millions of others, Mullins’ death was more than the death of a favored musician or even a friend; it was like losing someone whose music touched their hearts and souls.In 2000, James Bryant Smith wrote a biography of Mullins, “Rich Mullins: A Devotional Biography: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven,” and he did it in an unusual way. Rather than the more common chronological account, Smith wrote the biography as a devotional. Perhaps for that reason, the work has remained current.With an introduction by Brennan Manning, the biography is structured around 10 devotional themes: family, creed, the love of God, trusting in Jesus, creation, struggle and pain, simplicity, sin and temptation, loving one another, and death and the life to come. The discussion for each theme combines, biographical information, interviews with people who knew Mullins, some of Mullins’ own writings, quotations, and the words of Mullins’ songs. With such disparate elements, the biography could have come across disjointed and cobbled together, but it doesn’t; it stays centered on Mullins and his faith.This was a widely popular Christian musician whose typical concert clothes were a t-shirt, jeans, and bare feet. Early on, he fronted at concerts for big name Christian bands; by the end of his life, the singer and songwriter who typically performed in church settings had eclipsed them all.The most telling line in the book, among many telling lines, is this, and it speaks volumes about Mullins and his work: “Rich Mullins was not encumbered by the need to succeed; he was captive to the need to create.”Smith received his M.Div. degree from Yale University Divinity School and his D. Min. degree from Fuller Seminary. He is a professor of theology at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and leads the Christian Spiritual Formation Institute there. And he’s the author of numerous books.“Rich Mullins: A Devotional Biography” is a profound way to do two things simultaneously: learn about the life and music of a man who became a legend, and examine one’s own life in the process.

I read this book after watching "Ragamuffin", the movie. I listened to Rich's music before he died and loved it all. I was so stunned when he died. I remember when it happened. The first line of the movie changed my life. I think I cried right then. So after realizing how much The Father loved me and pursued me I had to find out EVERYTHING that I could about Rich and how it was that a movie could really Point Me Toward Heaven. I grew up in the church and the faith movement but somehow thought that He didn't love me the same way after making so many mistakes in my life. This book explains a lot about his life and his way of thinking. I love the way he followed Jesus. He went barefooted and had long hair. He worked so hard with his music and ministry. It's been about 4 months ago since I watched the movie for first time. It was a game changer for me. Also, the book clarifies how he died. Most of the news reports were vague about the accident. Even though his body parished, I can still smile. He used to make so many jokes about dying and other remarks. I can imagine him getting up out of his body and realizing that he was now on the other side. I like to think that he went out like Elijah.

I saw the movie Ragamuffin at a church where Rich Mullins was once Worship Leader and worked with the youth program. It is in Kentwood, Michigan. He changed many lives there, he lived with many of the parishioners that still attend and remember him fondly. After seeing the movie, always loving his music (yes, Awesome God brought me to the floor to love God and ask for his grace and forgiveness), listened to my friends at church tell stories of him from when he lived here, well, I had to learn more.This book brought me new knowledge about this remarkable, loving, godly, "in your face", man. But, more than that, I have learned so much from this book, it has opened my heart and mind even more to our "Awesome" God. One of the woman at church told me "he was the first stranger that ever loved her unconditionally". He took her children to church camp and he lived with the family for awhile. He did sin, he did struggle, but he rose above it all and did so much good. Read it as a devotional to God through Rich Mullins' eyes and James Bryan Smith (whom he also lived with).

The first book would be the Bible. This book has shattered most of my core Christian beliefs. I already thought I was pretty radical. I loved Rich's music when he was here on earth. It hurt so much to lose him at what we all felt was too soon. I now believe with the writing of his 9 Jesus songs for his "Jesus Record" that he had fulfilled what he was put here to do and he got to go home. I have found out new ideas that he had in this book that I had never known. I challenge anybody to read this book to the point where James tells how Rich felt Jesus must have blessed the children. It's about 1/4 of the way in. If your not completely shaken up by then, well I don't know what could. I never tried to deify Rich before or after his death. The truth is though, he was an extraordinary man and this is an extraordinary book that James has brought us. Thank you James.

Rich Mullins was touched by God at a very young age and was given an extraordinary gift to share the unconditional love God has for His creation through his songs, his writings, and through his personal interactions with those he met along the way. It was divine intervention that introduced me to Rich Mullins, his music, and his life story...and I will be forever grateful. Rich was open, honest, and bared his soul in the hope of revealing the true nature of God to a hurting world....struggling to find Jesus amidst the pain. Be prepared to see the world through new eyes....eyes focused heavenward.

This is a book that will inspire and certainly challenge. If you are someone who knows Rich Mullins' music well then the stories behind his songs will probably mean more to you than someone not so familar with his music. That said, I'm sure others will find Rich''s longing for the heart of God an incredible testimony of faith. it taught me that our knowledge and appreciation of God is so often limited because we fail to see the gems He gives us in people and nature as well as His Word and the church.The book doesn't give a chronological account of Rich Mullins' life; instead it deals with subjects that meant a lot to him and records his thoughts on them as well as some of his actions.

GOOD

If you want to know what how to become more like Jesus, read this book, very humbling and uplifting.

Amazing read!

Inspiring, encouraging - life impacting. I will cherish this book and re read often.