Jesus freak
Encyclopedia
Jesus freak is a term arising from the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture
and is incorrectly used as a pejorative
for those involved in the Jesus movement
. As Tom Wolfe illustrates in the "Electric Koolaid Acid Test," the term "freak" with a preceding qualifier was a strictly neutral term and described any counter-culture member with a specific interest in a given subject; hence "acid freak" "Jesus freak." The term "freak" was in common enough currency that Hunter Thompson's failed bid for sheriff of Aspen, Colorado was as a member of the "Freak Power" party. However, many later members of the movement, misunderstanding the counter-cultural roots believed the term to be negative, and co-opted and embraced the term, and its usage broadened to describe a Christian
subculture throughout the hippie
and back-to-the-land movements that focused on universal love
and pacifism
, and relished the radical nature of Jesus
' message. Jesus freaks often carried and distributed copies of the "Good News for Modern Man
," a 1966 translation of the New Testament
written in modern English. In Australia
, and other countries, the term Jesus freak, along with Bible basher, is still used in a derogatory manner. In Germany
there is a Christian youth culture, also called Jesus Freaks
, that claims to have its roots in the American movement.
song "Tiny Dancer
" (1971) refers to Jesus freaks, as does Felt
's 1986 single "Ballad of the Band". There is an entire line about Jesus Freaks in Frank Zappa
's 1978 song "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing". The term also appeared in song "Nothing to Fear" by Oingo Boingo
in 1982. The term has recently been used frequently by Ted Turner
and Howard Stern
, referring mainly to fundamentalists. Another use of the phrase was in Kevin Michael
's song "We All Want the Same Thing". Black Sabbath
in "Under the Sun" also used the phrase.
In 1995, a Christian rock group, DC Talk
, released an album titled Jesus Freak. The song Jesus Freak
from that album has since been covered by other Christian bands such as Chasing Victory
and Newsboys
, which features the former member of DC Talk Michael Tait
.
In 1996, John DiBiase created a Christian record label website titled Jesus Freak Hideout
.
In the lyrics of the 1978 version of Convoy, recorded for the film of the same name, "Jesus Freaks on grass" are mentioned.
.
, written by DC Talk, The Voice of the Martyrs
, and Toby Mac, is also the name of a series of books that examines the lives of Christian martyr
s. The series is published by Bethany House
, a Christian publishing company.
Sara Miles wrote Jesus Freak: Feeling Healing and Raising The Dead.
.
Counterculture
Counterculture is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a cultural group, or subculture, that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day, the cultural equivalent of political opposition. Counterculture can also be described as a group whose behavior...
and is incorrectly used as a pejorative
Pejorative
Pejoratives , including name slurs, are words or grammatical forms that connote negativity and express contempt or distaste. A term can be regarded as pejorative in some social groups but not in others, e.g., hacker is a term used for computer criminals as well as quick and clever computer experts...
for those involved in the Jesus movement
Jesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
. As Tom Wolfe illustrates in the "Electric Koolaid Acid Test," the term "freak" with a preceding qualifier was a strictly neutral term and described any counter-culture member with a specific interest in a given subject; hence "acid freak" "Jesus freak." The term "freak" was in common enough currency that Hunter Thompson's failed bid for sheriff of Aspen, Colorado was as a member of the "Freak Power" party. However, many later members of the movement, misunderstanding the counter-cultural roots believed the term to be negative, and co-opted and embraced the term, and its usage broadened to describe a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
subculture throughout the hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
and back-to-the-land movements that focused on universal love
Universal Love
Universal Love is the third album to be released by Philadelphia International Records houseband MFSB.Includes a cover of The Nite-Liters's 1971 single "K-Jee which was included in the 1977 movie and soundtrack Saturday Night Fever.-Track listing:...
and pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
, and relished the radical nature of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' message. Jesus freaks often carried and distributed copies of the "Good News for Modern Man
Good News Bible
The Good News Bible , also called the Good News Translation , is an English language translation of the Bible by the American Bible Society, first published as the New Testament under the name Good News for Modern Man in 1966...
," a 1966 translation of the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
written in modern English. In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and other countries, the term Jesus freak, along with Bible basher, is still used in a derogatory manner. In Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
there is a Christian youth culture, also called Jesus Freaks
Jesus Freaks (youth movement)
The Jesus Freaks are a German evangelical youth organization.The movement uses the Alpha and Omega symbol to represent Jesus Christ.- Background :The Jesus Freaks movement was created in September 1991 in Hamburg, Germany by Martin Dreyer...
, that claims to have its roots in the American movement.
20th century
The Elton JohnElton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
song "Tiny Dancer
Tiny Dancer
"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972...
" (1971) refers to Jesus freaks, as does Felt
Felt (band)
Felt were a 1980s British alternative rock band led by Lawrence, whose surname was never listed in any credits or press; the band's name was inspired by Tom Verlaine's emphasis of the word "felt" in the Television song "Venus"...
's 1986 single "Ballad of the Band". There is an entire line about Jesus Freaks in Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
's 1978 song "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing". The term also appeared in song "Nothing to Fear" by Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
in 1982. The term has recently been used frequently by Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
and Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
, referring mainly to fundamentalists. Another use of the phrase was in Kevin Michael
Kevin Michael
Kevin Michael is an American pop artist that was signed to Downtown Records in 2007, the same year he released his self-titled album.-Early life:...
's song "We All Want the Same Thing". Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
in "Under the Sun" also used the phrase.
In 1995, a Christian rock group, DC Talk
DC Talk
DC Talk is the first studio album released from vocal trio DC Talk. It is the most hip hop-oriented of all of their albums as each later album gradually progressed into a more rock-centered sound. Michael Tait stated that their original goal for the album was to sell 10,000 units. It sold 7,142...
, released an album titled Jesus Freak. The song Jesus Freak
Jesus Freak (song)
"Jesus Freak" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from the group's self-titled fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan and Mark Heimermann...
from that album has since been covered by other Christian bands such as Chasing Victory
Chasing Victory
Chasing Victory was a post-hardcore/Christian rock groupfrom Camilla, Georgia. The band was formed in 2001 by Adam Harrell,Jeremy Lowery, Jason Lowery and Michael Lamb while they were still in...
and Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
, which features the former member of DC Talk Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
.
In 1996, John DiBiase created a Christian record label website titled Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...
.
In the lyrics of the 1978 version of Convoy, recorded for the film of the same name, "Jesus Freaks on grass" are mentioned.
21st century
In 2006, DC Talk released another album titled Jesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special EditionJesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special Edition
Jesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special Edition is a re-release of dc Talk's breakthrough, best-selling album Jesus Freak. The two-disc set features the original album completely remastered on disc one and bonus material featuring live recordings, demos and mixes on a second disc.-Disc 1: Jesus Freak...
.
Books
Jesus FreaksJesus Freaks (book)
Jesus Freaks is a 1999 book by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. The name comes from the hit album that they released in 1995. It includes stories and testimonies of Christians from all over the world, past and present, who have been persecuted, tortured, or martyred for their Christian beliefs...
, written by DC Talk, The Voice of the Martyrs
Voice of the Martyrs
The Voice of the Martyrs is the name of several related Christian organizations founded through the influence of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand in such countries as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. These VOM missions aim to raise awareness about the many thousands of Christians...
, and Toby Mac, is also the name of a series of books that examines the lives of Christian martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s. The series is published by Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
, a Christian publishing company.
Sara Miles wrote Jesus Freak: Feeling Healing and Raising The Dead.
Film
Jesus Freak is a 2003 American micro-budget drama film directed by Morgan NicholsMorgan Nichols (director)
Morgan Nichols is a US film director from Kennebunk, Maine. His award-winning features Jesus Freak and the little Death are examples of micro-budget filmmaking...
.