Interview with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- 0:01 Question: Do you feel that God is around?
2:42 - Right, Wrong, Ethics, C.S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer and other deep thoughts!
6:25 - Question - Do you feel unlovable?
7:22 - Thoughts on calling ourselves a "Christian" and the freedom Christ gives us.
9:14 - Why Jesus?
10:36 - Question - Is is possible that writing songs can be a way to avoid God?
12:37 - Should Christian culture make us feel safe?
15:34 - Through travel, how have you seen God work?
16:46 - Postmodern age, we have everything - what is the effect? How does surfing with sharks impact Jon and his perspective on life?
19:30 - Is Western culture is in decline? Jon's thoughts...are we bored as a culture?
21:57 - Question - Tell us about the new album "Fading West"
23:00 - Question - Is it weird to see your face on the big screen in the "Fading West" movie?
24:00 - Question - Does it freak you out to have people act like you're a big deal when you know you're not?
24:46 - Surf talk, and how fear brings you closer to God!
25:49 - Question - Are you insecure?
When I was a freshman in college Switchfoot had a concert in my school (it was their school too). I had to miss it because a good friend of mine really wanted to see them, so I took his shift at the school cafeteria. I was working as the cashier when this guy walked up to me with a pint of B&J ice cream to pay, and everyone around me was asking for his hug/autograph. I had no idea who it was, so I asked "hi who are you" in a very nice way. He extended his hand and said "Hi I'm Jon". No BS no I'm the rock star type of attitude. That immediately created so much respect from me and I have remembered that band ever since.
Whoa... M
He’s grown so much in 10 years!
"I have nothing. Therefore, I have Christ." - Jon Foreman.
Here's the thing: Jon is a surfer from San Diego who is a Christian and writes and sings amazing music in a great band. Does he know everything? No. Should he be put on a pedestal and expected to know everything? No. Because he's not perfect. And guess what? No one is. So before you criticize everything he says, take a minute and think about the fact that just because he writes songs, does NOT make him a perfect mouthpiece or person.
Agreed.
I agree with you 100%.
Scheurthiaume so true, there is only one to be put on that pedestal.
God loves even you, Jon Foreman!
Yep! Atheist here and I do enjoy sone Switchfoot's song
Jon Foreman is probably the most brilliant and honest writer and singer of my time. He is like a modern day C.S Lewis that just like Lewis rocked the world with his honesty. I've seen some comments here about him not "studying the bible" being pure ignorance. " I wrestled the angel, for more than a name" - Jon Foreman. I was studying the bible in a training class and for me to come across Genesis 32 and it click in my brain without reading it before what Jon was saying...... says to me he knows the Bible. Jon Foreman changed my life and if all it takes is for a couple people to disagree...... I will take it any day due to what this mans honesty has done the past 15 years. Darkness? Through a divorce I never wanted? God is good, all the time and no matter what I know God placed Jon Foreman here for a reason. Blessings to you Jon for your courageous and honest words.
I wish there were more of these interviews with him like this
+Sean Laizure Agree w/you Sean--I used to love to go home from church after listening to my stalwart pastor John piper and then hear SF singing what John just said but in artistic language. it happened over and over. I love my former pastor and great friend john and love SF in t a little different way--both are to me the greatest Christian thinkers of our era. Thanks!!
I really appreciate this interview. The depth of wisdom that Jon Foreman has, coupled with his humility, is really refreshing. This just makes me love Switchfoot even more. Honesty is what is desperately needed in this broken world today. Both of these men are deeply honest.
God created us to be critical thinkers. To think for ourselves, to find God for ourselves, and to have a relationship with Christ out of our own volition. To say that we should never doubt our beliefs is to say that we aren't allowed to think for ourselves. Faith does not mean never thinking thoughts of doubt. Faith means being sure of what you do not always see.
This is a few years down the line, but I think that all too often, especially in our Christian/religious schools, they don't teach people to think for themselves - they teach us to accept whatever dogma or perspective it is that they want us to believe so that they can just get more members for their church denomination; that's certainly what happened to me. It never helps that they ridicule anyone who might have some pretty fundamental doubts about some of the tenets of our faith, especially some of the ones that are demonstrably wrong (eg dinosaurs, age of the earth, etc.). It's people like Jon Foreman who can boil everything down to express what exactly it means to be human - it's not having all the answers like a lot of our church leaders would have us believe. I've been listening to Switchfoot for decades now, and they've helped me through a lot of rough spots due to the kinds of questions their music explores.
It's just scarey to think in a culture that doesn't read the musicians that follow kierkagard become the theologians.
"I have nothing, therefore I have Christ."
You inspire me Jon.
The greatest song-writer of my generation. No question about that.
Mr foreman is the greatest song writer ever
Jon Foreman ages so beautifully. He looks better and better with age.
Validation time.
One final comment. "Jon Foreman matters" and that is what makes him a role model and worthy of admiration! Without detail, 'Your Love is a Song' has eternal significance to me and I suspect I am not alone in that!
"The unasked question is the most dangerous to answer" - Jon Foreman
This is one of the best interviews I have seen from a christian band leader.The honesty and transparency is like light.I can see why his songs make such impact they come from a place of humility and honesty.
Es uno de los mejores cometarios que he leído sobre esta maravillosa banda Switchfoot! Dios los bendiaga! Saludos desde Perú!
Jon Foreman is such a hero and role model to me! I also love hearing John Mark McMillan’s interviews he like Foreman has a lot of humility and transparency. I would recommend checking some of those out too! Love Switchfoot and love Jon!
I'm not sure who he's afraid of more: God or himself. But at the same time, I love how even when he can't find a way to move himself forward, he still reaches out to God despite how he feels about himself. The way he clings to God is inspiring to me actually, since I've had the same mindset he has. I feel like where he is spiritually is best described through the song "The Shadow Proves The Sunshine".
I've always loved this band because it sobering yet still gives me peace. Just because I don't know why God would love me doesn't mean He doesn't, and I've learned to accept His love because I know that the Sunshine must be just as real as the shadows, otherwise every impulse and thought that runs through me wouldn't mean anything or possibly not exist at all.
That was a beautiful analogy. :)
Awesome man. Great response
@Bread Sandwich secrets?
I always watch Rich Mullins interviews, thinking wow this guy is so honest and amazing! leading me to
God in a different way and I reckon Jon Foreman does the same for this generation
"Everything changes Everything".... I'm not sure he realized how powerful that statement is haha
wow. just wow.
it's so ironic how the fact that Jon doesn't think he's all that amazing great stuff is one of the things that makes him so amazing.
I wish someone could convince him how incredibly necessary and life-changing he is.
Thank you for the interview Brant!
Emily Bonnett totally agree with you!
Emily Bonnett That's humility there.
I'm Catholic and I'm really not religious but I'm sure I am spiritual and I have strong faith as I always feel whenever I'm having the time to speak with God. I feel even blessed to have this person written all those songs and played it with the genre I'm most fond of.
Love to see this side of Jon. I forget that he's more regular guy than rockstar
Jon, I would just like to say that while you are struggling with questions of your importance, I can tell you your songs have made a very positive impact on my life. I am much older than you. When I first heard the song "Mess of Me" it really opened my eyes and made me think seriously about what I want out of life. I have been hooked on your music every since. More than that I have come to know God, I have got back to reading the Bible. Now it's not just reading. I'm being shown through scripture how much God loves us all! I have come to the conclusion that what I want out of life is to live with the Holy Spirit in my life every minute of everyday. I can never love Him as much as He loves me! And you and your band helped me get there. So yeah you matter dude! Thank you so much with all my heart I love you guys! God Bless,
Nannette
p.s I hope Jon gets to read this.
Fantastic testimony, thank you for sharing!
This guy is one of my biggest inspirations. I wish I could see him again in person. Manila badly needs you, Jon!
Been listening to Jon and the crew(s) over 15 years-- since Legend of Chin arrived. When I was in high school growing up in San Diego I went to in person concerts with them in back yards, camps, all over. We went to see them pretty much wherever they went in the SoCal area. They were small enough then to be very accessible. Surely still to this day they are intensely personal with people directly, but just mentioning this to establish a pedigree of having listened carefully to their poetry for my entire adult life thus far (I'm about eight years Jon's junior).
Every day there's another disappointment from public figures (musicians, pastors, others) who claim Jesus is the Lord of creation. Everybody complains they didn't meet their expectations. Every album, every interview, every year, every new video... you can almost feel it. You're waiting, waiting, waiting for the shoe to drop. For them to not meet your expectations.
Reminds me of Gladiator, "Are you not entertained?" You've carved him up in personal judgment without knowing him, feel better? Are you entertained?
We're commanded to be looking at Jesus. Isn't this constant gripe just revealing regarding whom we're putting our hopes in?
For all these years, Jon and the guys have constantly matured. One step at a time, each new set of poetry--which is what they do, make musical poetry--is Biblically grounded (23:46). Each song is filled with explicit references and nuances some blatant, some not. Each new album I just buy and start listening to. About 50 listens in I finally grasp the depth and beauty of the poetry. Without fail. Every time. Constantly. They don't sell out, and they don't soft pedal it. I think they get it that they're purpose is as a group of mirrors, they just seek to reflect the Lord.
This video was striking because it shows Jon in a way I've never really seen him. Never heard this prophet speak like that with without a poem. That's really what it's been all these years for me. They've (the guys in the band) just been echoing the words of the Lord through their own grace-fueled vantage points of Jesus. They look at him, they look at themselves, they experience the same struggle of the end of Romans 7 as anyone else who's not a hypocrite like Jon describes at 13:52 in the interview...but the lyricism of his solo projects and the other music is consistently focused in the end on Jesus' exceeding sufficiency for hope and meaning.
This is a man (and no doubt his cohorts surrounding him for this long a period of time share this) who has been deeply humbled by God (14:50, 15:18).
"Fear is underrated" (25:21) I think Jon and the guys know what matters (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
"I've very aware of my own insignificance" (26:00)--have you SEEN videos of their concerts from the stage outward? Do you think he's had time to contemplate significance? Have thousands of people ever showed up to hear YOU talk about something?)
And wasn't that God's point about Moses being the most humble man who ever lived? Do you think Moses wrote that line about himself into the scripture ;-)
It's so revealing that there's so much chatter in the comments about his (Jon's) rightness or wrongness.
People, get it together, he has a REAL relationship with the Creator (21:38), just like Moses did. He questioned God, wrestled with Him, pleaded with Him...tell me you've never had a conversation like this with someone. It's just a video-taped conversation between two people, thinking out loud. It's not scripted.
+Eric Boucher .....You have most eloquently defended a brother in The Lord, Amen. We are all pilgrims on this journey, simply seeking to be more like Jesus.
As God spoke to me recently....very directly,..
"Darryl, when will you take your relationship with me seriously?"
I thought about the Lord's admonishment, and I had to admit , that I spend more time and care on things like making sure my computer is free of viruses, and that my car is running well, the bills are managed, etc. Bottom line,.....always thinking, "what's my next move?" Because .."I" have to stay ahead of the game, so to speak.
Whatever happened to ...."just being still before The Lord in His presence, asking nothing, and loving Him."
In the end,......that, my friend is what occurred to me. In His presence, and by His Word, I am changed, more and more into the likeness of Jesus, and I say that with utmost humility. I am "the Poster child for grace"
Love you in The Lord man...God's richest blessings be upon you and your household,
Darry Jones
darryljones777@gmail.com
This is the best interview I've ever seen. I'm a radio student and hope to have such an intimate interview one day. Brant Hanson is wonderful I hope to be as good as you. Jon you're awesome.
We are to work our faith with fear (reverence) and trembling. I feel like Jon has opened his working to the world, that’s why he is relevant. We know we’re not the only ones!
His honesty is freeing for me
I was encouraged by the honesty of this interview and especially Jon's statement of the reliance on the Holy Spirit.
I so get what Jon is saying here. I feel unlovable too. My whole walk with God has been trying to understand this concept that God loves me, the way I am. I don't know that I'll ever grasp it! Thank you for the awesome music Jon.
Switchfoot really reaches my soul!
♥️♥️♥️♥️
So deep, insightful & thought compelling. Jon, you are SO much more than a songwriter AND nice nod to Bad Religion!
Who has ever met such an introspective surfer dude!! I love this guy!
Such a great interview! It was so convicting, encouraging, and thought-provoking! There should be more "deeper" interviews like this.
Jon, what you do matters to me…thank you for your music and this interview.
You are my inspiring writer! You are my 'C.S. Lewis'!
Rebecca Mitchell follow @dailyjonforeman on twitter!
You got it!
What a great interview. Jon inspires me so much!
Haha 😂 the "matter" part. You guys...
very very interesting interview!
I totally agreed with pretty much everything said. It opens up my eyes to new things. John may think he doesn't know what he's talking about in front of the cameras 🎥 but it speaks so deep because he's speaking from his ❤️. Thank you for being so honest.
Love switchfoot!! Jon is definitely one of my favorite songwriters
I love Jon even more now.
"The human experience. . . to approach it as a songwriter, or a poet, or an architect, or anything, you have to deal with suffering." - Jon Foreman
Jon looks like he is in a tough spot. I understand how he feels. It's a universal feeling. Sometimes what we feel isn't always what can be easily put into understandable words.
+stephen greenlaw I agree. He seems pretty uncomfortable with this interview. He already stated it was awkward for him. Not everyone can preach the word of God and feel comfortable with it. Doesn't mean he's any less of a Christian, he's just not in his comfort zone.
Much love Jon Foreman until you reach the promised land. Keep on keeping on we may stumble but will not fall. God bless.
He needs to write a book!
Agreed!
Really amazing to see you Jon with Brandon lake in bham al on Mar 7th.
God bless you brother
He might have nailed it about how the Holy Spirit works around 20:00. "The solution to the problem lies not in the answer, but in asking the Right Question" was Real and True in my Experience when "Behold, The Kingdom of God is Suddenly Upon you"!
wow..they got into some heavy stuff. Jon is very open and honest and that is very compelling. He really does have a lot of good to say and we need more people like him. Although he would be the very last person to agree with that :))
2 of my favorite men in this world!!! I appreciate their humor and humility more than I can express. As enlightened as I feel they are, it's encouraging to know that I'm not the only one who questions the Creator's love for "me" 💞
"I have nothing, therefore I have Christ"
And I agree with that terror is a good thing. Makes us realize what matters to us the most.
Humbled in His presence. thanks for doing this Jon. They might say it better, but you sing it better!
This is GOLD. I'm so glad this happened!!!
On the chance that you read this Jon... You definitely DO matter and ARE lovable. It's totally cool how you talk about not making the music about you. That is the same approach that I take to music. As soon as you make the music about you... it's all downhill. I want to encourage you though, because I don't feel you have done that and like I told you at your Mother's Day performance (the free concert you guys gave a few years back at the Galleria Mall) I've been really touched and inspired by your songwriting. Keep up the great work in your life in being used by God to make a difference. What greater gift could we have than getting to use our lives to make an eternal impact positively giving hope and help to others. Thank you for the work you do I pray that God continues to Bless you and your Career my friend. Thanks for your honesty in the interview. I think when people see your humaness... it draws people to God. That is the role we as artists play in society is helping people to feel their feelings and to be honest with themselves and God. It helps bring healing & health to humanity. God Bless you brother.
A great inspiration as a writer. Love hearing Jon's content!
It matters Jon, it's mattered to us.
Jon is awesome.
I have 4 favorites. 1. On Fire, 2. Your Love Is A Song, 3. Love Alone Is Worth The Fight and, 4. The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)
Thanks so much of posting this interview. The book mentioned, the Insanity of God, looks really good.
Favorite part.?...when Jon says..."these are questions I don't have answers to"
!00 percent! I feel this very same way. Thank you guy's for speaking authentically. I feel less alone in my feelings I struggle with.
Honestly I'm so amazing glad I followed this man sense I was little really I'm so blest to have him in my life not in real life but listening to him the music and following the hole band truly artists
Good interview. Deep and thought provoking.
That's something singers should always do. A very informal chat that let us know a bit more about "general Christian opinion" of people who we normally look to. Congrats!
They're both so humble
Hurry up and matter...lol ....sounds like another hit
More kids my age need to watch this stuff 👍🏼 it's very easy to understand, very obvious, yet still mind boggling!
Very interesting interview! It's awesome to get to hear some of a much admired song-writer's thoughts!
"It was easier for me to believe in God than it was to believe that He loved me."
That's where I was for a long time. I never could-- not in my darkest times-- believe that he isn't real. But that he could love me? I was so miserable for so long, so why would he love me? The Lordship of Jesus Christ changed this for me. I came to believe and truly accept of how Jesus is blessed in every regard he listed in the beatitudes. He is poor in spirit. He is mournful. He is gentle. Jesus is immeasurably blessed with all these things. Not once did he say it himself, either. His works and those who truly know him testify on his behalf.
thank you both for this awesome interview. blessings!
Jon Foreman is my thoughts at night
most honest interview I've seen
He's my friend's uncle. I saw him yesterday.
Czlak Reznor So jealous
prove it
Learn to love yourself before you love others
If you can love others then you love yourself
And if you love yourself then
Why.... Can't anyone else love you?
Sometimes we think to much about it
If thinking is your thing then
Think about, just how great his love is
He truly loves you
No matter what ur past holds or your future
Sometimes we have to separate
Everything and stop comparing or trying to understand it
Love you guys God bless and let his will be done
Do not be afraid
Why should you?
Death?
God gives and takes away
Comfort could be a curse
Favorite dude ever!
I like them all cause I go through different pains and hurts within my soul
wow,Great to here this in words.
"Old, crazy senile man. . ."
THIS IS WHERE I CRACKED
I've never in my life heard something so profound in my life.
The genocide in the OT was because God gave them a chance to repent, but they kept on with the child sacrificing, etc. It was justice and it prevented those children from growing up and sacrificing their children.
Beyond that, we have pain in this world because people are selfish and have free will.
Great interview!
My takeaway here is a guy who has questions for god. He is scared about if god loves him. Frankly so am I or am I doing enough for God am I being the best I can for him. I am also not perfect and have to constantly ask for forgiveness, but I'm more aware of this and that. And with all what he said I can see where this guy is coming from cause he knows what he has to do even though its not perfect when he does it. But his real question would be "am I pleasing god?" Thru his music he asks those questions and it dont really matter what anyone really thinks because its his conversation with God.
God loves even you Jon Foreman!
2 of my favorite people! Love this :)
Good morning Forman! And Brent
it does matter!!!!! I think loadsa people have those thoughs, but the reality is youre changing lives :)
Regarding doing "Christlike" things to avoid being Christlike: I was told to be aware of that phenomenon, so to speak, When interviewing teen girls, because I was listening (sort of by proxy). Girls felt comfortable enough to share things with me, and then they would think themselves absolved from any wrong doing, when they actually needed to deal with Christ himself, but they would not feel that they had to because they had confessed a sin, so to speak, to me already. So, in a sense, by going to church and doing what seemed right to them in having a long mediation type discussion with me, they were avoiding what they truly needed.
He's talking about my home state! Whoot! Whoot!
i love this! Great stuff.
He seems like a genuine good human being. Whether he believes in god or not..
es genial ver como un cantante , es mas que eso y decide ser un adorador. Basta ver las sonrisa en su rostro para saber que es un hijo de Dios. La verdad es que Jon Foreman tiene mucho talento. Ademas de eso es un admirador de la creación. Este hombre es usado para que Jesús hable a través de su música. Dios lo bendiga grandemente [:
Wow! This was good!
Deep Thoughts by Jon Foreman
wow...really great
ɷɷ I Have Watcheddd This Movieee Leakedd Versionnnn Here : - t.co/SjZpZXw5gt
amazing.
(13:54 On the Church. Commenting to mark that part for myself.)
What a good guy!
i think he is being more spiritual than being religious
Does anybody else miss Brant? :(
In 2013, I was in a dark period of my life. It was a Vortex of depression and I developed a taste for rock music because the musicians sang my reality and I believed it. By God's grace, I stumbled on of Switchfoot's music and that was the beginning of Redemption. Pun intended.
i dont think he studys the bible, im just saying, im not judging or anything, he might read it, but studying it is a whole diffrent thing
I love Switchfoot!
lukewarm
Lukewarm what??
Yes it matters these songs save me.
I dont understand what he is saying, someone please explain
I'm a Christian and I "broadcast" my thoughts...i listen to Christian Music and broadcast it instead of the ptsd stuff in my head... Gift of Tongues from ABBA?
Seriously
19:20 I've got this face... Foreshadowing?
John McGlone. You previously entered a comment saying that if Jon was singing just to praise and honor God then why do you has to pay money for the CDs? Is the church not Gods?