LMU B.A.Religious Studies – EN110: Language & Style – Essay #4 – Fall 1976

Notes and essays from my first college English course, much here is cringe-worthy. At the same time, I find it interesting where my mind would wander to when I was given deadlines. After getting positive responses from my professor, this was my first experience writing for an audience (of one). Enjoy (2023-11-16)

A Star is “Reborn”

by Joe Bustillos

EN110 B – Essay #4
October 18, 1976

Thesis Statement: Dissatisfaction will cause one to come to the Lord.

man playing guitar — Photo by Edward Eyer on Pexels.com

Amidst the applause of ten thousand people a young man, toting a batter ed classical guitar, struts across a dimly lit stage. Manipulating the microphones, he carries on a conversation with an invisible sound-man. Satisfied with his P.A. system, the denim clad youth begins. Slowly at first, and then with more power^the young man hammers out the lyrics of a song,

I was born and raised an orphan in a land that once was free in a land that poured its love out on the moon. And I grew up in the shadows of your silos filled with grain, but you never helped to fill my empty spoon…

At first Larry Norman appears to be just like any other rebellious rock star. His long blond hair and his seemingly snob-ish style makes one think of a Mick Jagger or a John Lennon. But after a few moments of listening to him one is convinced that Larry has something else going for him.

In the course of his solo performance Larry gave a testimony of his faith. He also challenges others to make a similar decision. And in watching him perform I was drawn to wonder what caused him, an artist that could easily have been successful in the “secular scene,” to play music for “the Lord.”

It has been my experience with artists, especially musicians, that they are very sensitive people. They are very much aware of themselves, if not also the emotions of others. Although I do not know Larry Norman personally, his music Portrays him as being concerned with both the welfare of himself and of others.

Pardon me,
kissing you like I'm afraid.
But I know I'm being played with,
and you'll leave me if you get the chance...

In looking at others it is often that one first sees their faults and failures. The mistakes of the world have preeminence because it is the nature of man to try and feel superior to his brothers, and to do so he must un cover his brothers’ faults. So the artist, being sensitive to the world’s faults, is often the critic. A dilemma, unfortunately, comes in an artist’s life when he realizes that he is subject to the same failures that his brothers succumb to.

At this point a change is needed: either white-wash and justify the world (and therefore himself), or improve his own, if not the world’s, condition. It is this decision, to white-wash or to improve the world, that causes a man like Larry Norman to hand his life over to the Lord.

And your money says"in God we trust"
but it's against the law to pray is school.
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
and I say you starved your children to do it. 
You say all men are equal
all men are brothers,
then why are the rich more equal than others.
Don't ask for the answers
I've only got one:
that a man leaves his darkness
when he follows the son.
- The Great American Novel by Larry Norman