Sinner's Creed and Proof of Life

Pull back the curtain come on in

Through the stain glass windows of where I've been.

Some parts holy.  Some parts dark as sin.

The time has come to take off my mask.

Watch the scars spill secrets from my past.

This freak show won't define who I am.

What I thought was all of my life's story,

Turns out it was only just one page.

It's a new beginning, I have got so much left to say.

I'm dying to breathe in every moment.

I'm dying to make up for lost time.

I'm dying to let go and finally feel what real love is.

I'm dying to live.

Those are lyrics from the song "Dying to Live" from Scott Stapp's (front runner of the group Creed) latest solo cd Proof of Life which is somewhat a musical backdrop to Stapp's newly published memoir Sinner's Creed.  Tyndale House Publishers provided a copy of both the cd and the book for the purpose of review.

Scott Stapp is among the most successful artists of the modern rock era. As Creed's lead vocalist, he has sold more than forty million records and has performed in sold-out arenas the world over.  One Rolling Stone writer called Stapp "one of the most influential and boldest rock writer/performers of the past twenty-five years whose fans must be counted in the legions."

Stapp recorded four albums with Creed each of which has been certified multiplatinum.  In 2000 Stapp's song "With Arms Wide Open" won the Grammy for Best Rock Song of the Year, and in 2005 his first solo album, The Great Divide, was certified double platinum.

He is also the founder of the With Arms Wide Open Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to "promoting healthy, loving relationships between children and their families. 

Scott lives in Florida with his wife, Jaclyn and their three young children, Jagger, Milan, and Daniel.

You can connect with Scott via his website found at www.scottstapp.com.

Comprised of 11 tracks, Proof of Life is a no holds barred portrayal of the remarkable journey Stapp has found himself traveling.  

“I made up my mind to face myself as a man and an artist. This record is my first no-holds-barred statement of exactly who I am”  Stapp says.  That statement is simultaneously simple and complex.  The simple message is a straight-up confirmation of Stapp’s prowess as rock and roller of the first rank. He’s alive and kicking, singing with greater grit than ever before. The self-portrait emerging from this extraordinary suite of songs is multi-layered and nuanced, the compelling drama of a man unflinchingly reexamining his past as he fights for his spiritual sanity.

Here's a taste of this hard-edged and emotionally super-charged album:

Each song on the album tells a part of Scott's story.  With each title, he takes you on his journey and literally peels back the curtain allowing the listener into the vulnerable world that has been spiritual experience.  My favorite titles were Only One and Dying to Live.

Sinner's Creed paved the way for the album Proof of Life.

Sinner's Creed is the uncensored memoir of Scott Stapp.  In the book, Scott is transparent about his struggles with faith, life, and addiction.  He lets his reader in on the "behind the scenes" story of the group Creed and his own journey down the dark path of self-destruction and addiction which culminated in the disbanding of Creed in 2004.

My husband read the book and here is what he had to say after completing it:

"In his memoir Scott gives a vivid picture of athletic and religious upbringing which entailed much that would border on child abuse and religious abuse.  Scott does a great job of describing the troubling part of his upbringing without becoming morose.  His hope even in the midst of trial makes this book one that makes you keep turning the pages until you finish. 

 Scott describes how Creed came together and made their way to the top of the rock charts.  He vividly describes the highs and lows and how the pressures of the rock and roll combined with demons from his upbringing kept him off balance and led to substance abuse which derailed his music career for a while. His story offers much hope for those who have great obstacles in their way.  Whether one is facing obstacles of an abusive past, substance abuse issues, suicide, or most any other obstacle, one will find encourage and hope from this book and hope that Scott offers as he shares the difference that faith in the Jesus Christ makes in his life. This book is well written and gives the reader a good overview of Scott’s life and his music career.  It includes lyrics to all of the songs from Creed’s albums.  The songs from his new project also complement his memoir and display how Scott has overcome his troubled past and has found peace through Jesus."

Both Sinner's Creed and Proof of Life would be perfect gifts for anyone who has been a long-time Creed or Stapp fan or for someone you know needs to hear the story of God's scandalous pursuit of sinners and the story of redemption from one who knows what it means to be dying to live.

You can order both the cd and the book by going HERE and HERE.

Blessings,

Jennifer