Comfort - The Beatles, God and The Bible

Ray Comfort has delved into the heart of the personal lives of The Beatles, an area which many authors deliberately avoidinto the controversial subject of their personal faith. He has taken a thorough, historical approach to his research into the cultural and spiritual impact of the greatest band the world has known.

DAVID BEDFORD, AUTHOR OF LIDDYPOOL: BIRTHPLACE OF THE BEATLES

A celebritys spiritual life has always been a topic of interest in the eyes of fans and media. I can definitely relate because of my three year ministry work in Hollywood evangelizing famous celebrities. Now with The Beatles, we get a fascinating look at the nature of fame and the universal longing of the human heart, which is the search for God. In The Beatles, God, and the Bible, you will understand the significance behind this search, and why it pertains to you specifically. This entertaining, informative, and enlightening book should be widely read, discussed, and reflected upon, whether you are a Beatles fan or not. It could indeed change the direction of your life.

STEVE CHA, AUTHOR OF HOLLYWOOD MISSION: POSSIBLE

A generation later, we are still feeling the effects of The Beatles spirituality. In his clear, incisive style, Ray Comfort helps us understand why the band that had everything on earth wanted something more. Even better, he helps us understand why it matters to us now.

PASTOR BRUCE GARNER, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

It grieved me to learn that Paul and John completely turned their backs on the church of their youth. And then John wrote one of the worst songs ever penned, Imagine, which was very anti-Christian. Now, my friend, Ray Comfort, examines the side-effects of this cultural phenomenon, which resonate even today.

KEN HAM, PRESIDENT, CREATION MUSEUM AND ANSWERS IN GENESIS

Always compelling, Ray Comfort uses little known facts and stories about John Lennon and The Beatles to drive home truths you will never forget. I have known Ray for many years and in all those years I have never ceased to be amazed by his ability to take the common lessons in life and turn them into the most common sense understanding of the gospel message I have ever heard. The Beatles, God, and the Bible will surely not disappoint.

STUART G. SCOTT, SONG OF THE YEAR, GRAND PRIZE, KSBJ, 1985

I have had the highly unique privilege of working under Ray Comforts mentorship and what can I say? If God had a SEAL Team six of his own, Ray would be on it! Rays love and dedication to researching the topic of The Beatles, God and the Bible is second to none. Whether your knowledge of The Beatles is nominal or phenomenal this book is sure to unveil a side of them you never knew!

CHAD WILLIAMS, FORMER U.S. NAVY SEAL, AUTHOR OF SEAL OF GOD

THE BEATLES, GOD, & THE BIBLE

RAY COMFORT

THE BEATLES, GOD, AND THE BIBLE

WND Books
Washington, D.C.

Copyright Ray Comfort 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, or otherwise, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Book Designed by Mark Karis

Photographs by Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand and Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (Call no. Australian Photographic Agency - 16583 and 16690)

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First Edition

Print ISBN: 9781936488551
eBook ISBN: 9781936488919

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Printed in the United States of America.

To my wonderful sisterChris Diedrichswho was there when I needed her.

Im not afraid of death because I dont believe in it. Its just getting out of one car, and into another

~ John Lennon

My sincere thanks to Manuel Brambila for his valuable research; to editor Lynn Copeland; and to WND, for having the vision to publish this series.

IN THE DIFFICULT TASK of tackling the oft-deliberated subject of John Lennon and God, Ray Comfort deals more in the illusions of the subject than its conclusions. It is hard to pin down Lennon the man, Lennon the rock star, Lennon the philosopher, Lennon the seeker, Lennon the skeptic, and Lennon the grown-up with a boyhood that clings intensely to his mental framework. That is the short list of the perspectives one must consider when taking a long look at someone who becomes almost bizarre, when all the words are added up. Ray comes at the subject matter from the outside, ends up inside, and then turns it all about, and spreads the results at your feet. He does what he does best and uses God Almighty as the anchor in exploring the stormy life of someone larger than life... but not bigger than Jesus. There are many sharp angles to the Lennon story... this one rounds off some of the edges so you can grab onto the intent of the authors message. No matter what you think about the person under the microscope in this treatise, it would be hard to imagine there was no Lennon.

~ Ken Mansfield, Author/Speaker, Former U.S. Manager of Apple Records

THERE ARE SOME WHO BELIEVE that one of the Beatles signed a pact with the Devil, and that was why they achieved instant, worldwide fame. I tend to believe it was because their music was good. Really good.

I can remember the very moment I heard them sing, back in 1963. Their music gave me spontaneous joy. Amazingly, after all these years, it still does. From the opening twang of A Hard Days Night to the bouncy sound of Penny Lane, each song recalls immediate and pleasant memories. They are like markers of timebringing with them large deposits of nostalgia that, for some reason, dont have the usual twinge of sadness.

I also remember how good I felt when I walked with friends to the movies in our black, high-heeled, pointed-toed Beatle boots. We felt like kings.

Today, I often find myself on the Internet, watching fans scream as Paul and George shake their hairy heads as they sing, Ringo pounding the drums, and listening to Johns amazing voice. He was so gifted. Although I dont think I ever purchased even one of their records, I am a self-confessed closet fan of the early Beatles.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

~ Ray Comfort

IN THE SUMMER OF 1956, a fifteen-year-old from Liverpool, England, and some friends formed a skiffle group1 called the Quarrymen. The ensemble soon began experiencing moderate success playing at parties and in contests, and their popularity quickly grew.

On July 6, 1957, shortly after a major performance at an outdoor party, the band played during a garden fte2 in the field behind the St. Peters Church, Woolton, Liverpool. The band members were John Lennon (guitar, vocals), Eric Griffiths (guitar), Colin Hanton (drums), Rod Davis (banjo), Pete Shotton (washboard), and Len Garry (tea chest bass3). The event featured music, crafts, cakes, a police dog demonstration, a float parade, and the traditional crowning of the Rose Queen.