Jonathan Jackson: “I’m just a sinner stumbling towards the embrace of Christ”

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7. Your christian faith features in a lot of your songs’ lyrics. Do you see yourself as an ambassador of christianity in the art world? For what reasons did you convert to orthodox christianity in 2012?

“I don’t consider myself anything other than a sinner who is stumbling towards the embrace of Christ. I have no interest in preaching to people, or proselytizing. I think the role of an artist is to be honest and authentic about the pain and hope that he experiences. I would never shy away from singing about what I have experienced and my faith is central in my life, so it comes out organically, like breathing. I do hope the music creates an atmosphere for people to experience some kind of inner joy or healing. That would be wonderful!

There are so many reasons why I became Orthodox, it would take days or months to write it all down. I love everything about the Orthodox Faith. It’s beauty, it’s humility, it’s reverence and asceticism. It’s love for one’s enemies and how it honors the Mother of God. I love the mysticism and the Sacramental view of the world. I love the monastic life of the Church and how it also embraces marriage as a holy mystery. I love how we pray to the Holy Trinity and walk through the Feasts of Church throughout the year. I love the Saints and their intercession. The Orthodox Church has remained consistent in her teaching since the time of Christ and the Apostles. For me, it’s the Pearl of great price, because one can actually approach Christ in Spirit and Truth.”

8. You also wrote a book, The Mystery Of Art: Becoming An Artist In The Image Of God, which was published in 2014. Tell us a few things about that. Will you be writing anything else in the future?

“The Mystery of Art” was a book which I wrote over the course of the last 4 years. I’ve been acting and doing music since I was 11 years old and over the years I’ve struggled with how to incorporate one’s faith into the artistic process. This book is a combination of my 20 years in the arts and my journey towards the ancient faith… I have written other books which we have not published yet. But these are books of poetry and fiction. In terms of writing a book like “The Mystery of Art” I think it will be a while before I venture into that. I feel like it says what I was hoping to express and I need to live and experience more before I attempt to write anything like that again.”

9. Now that your music is available in Greece, are you planning to visit us to play some shows?

“Yes! I hope so! Myself and the band would love that. There have been some talks about making that happen, so God willing. I love Greece and I love the Greek people. My heart has gone out to you for all the trials you have been enduring. My family is so grateful for the love and kindness we have experienced in our visits there.”

10. What other plans do you make for the near future?

“Enation is recording our next project and I’m still filming the tv show Nashville. That keeps me very busy. I hope to release another book this year. Also, “The Mystery of Art” is being translated into Greek which I’m very excited about. I would love to direct a film someday. Most importantly, I hope to spend a lot of quality time with my family. That is more important than all of the work projects. Thank you for doing this interview!”