He Saw That It Was Good

Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World

By: Sho Baraka, Chris Broussard

Narrated by: Sho Baraka, Chris Broussard, Tedashii Anderson, Nasia Danielle

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A deep exploration of the intersection of faith, creativity, and justice from acclaimed hip-hop artist and creative polymath Sho Baraka

“Sho has the courage to say what many are thinking and the candor to say what many are not. His words have positively influenced me for years - now this book gives the world that influence.” (Lecrae)

You were created to help bring truth and beauty into this broken world. God made you with an imagination and a yearning for justice. No matter your calling or vocation, you can help shape a better world around you through your creativity.

But that doesn’t mean it will be easy. We are surrounded by toxic stories and bad cultural thinking. We’re held back by incomplete theology.

But does it have to be like that? Is frustration the end of the story?

In the face of confusion and injustice, we can lose sight of our true narrative - the one that started in a garden and wants to make our real lives better today.

In He Saw That It Was Good, activist and recording artist Sho Baraka wrestles deeply and honestly with these questions, gives you permission to do the same, and shows a hard-earned path to creative change. With Sho, you’ll engage with art, justice, and history. Learn from the powerful principles of historic movements, explore why it’s important to cultivate your creative calling (no matter what you do!), and discover a fresh look at how the gospel can transform how you see God, your neighbor, your work, and your world.

You’ll return to your biggest and truest story. Your life (and your world) need never be the same.

©2021 Sho Baraka (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Amisho has the courage to say what many are thinking and the candor to say what many are not. His words have positively influenced me for years - now this book gives the world that influence.” (Lecrae, artist)

“I love my grandson so much. He is wise, sharp, and charming. I know his book will change many lives.” (Lillie Pruitt, Sho’s 95-year-old grandmother, who has lived through the Jim Crow era, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, and the Kobe and Shaq breakup)

“This book is about the centrality of story for our identity and its power to transform vocation, art, and the church’s witness. It is a deep well of resources, inspired reflections on vocation and art making, and wisdom for cultural engagement. It is a gift to the church.” (Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night)

Amazing!

Powerful!! Grateful to learn and grow. Definitely worth the read. The Audi book was beautifully produced. Thank you!

He’s that guy

Someone that would be great to sit and talk over some matcha tea or at a cookout. So many solid reminders of how culture is a layer on a cake that changes how we interpret truth, faith, and all the “shoulds” in our lives. Cheers

Just what the doctor ordered

Refreshing, life-giving, creative

This book felt like rest. It beautifully articulated a comprehensive world-view and theology of work that is beautiful and biblical. It was just what I needed, and I will be sharing it with a lot of people who are weary like me. I highly recommend it.

A kind conversation about some unkind topics

The author leads the reader through some hard topics with humor, grace, and tough love all while embracing truth. There's still room for you in that embrace.

wow, creative, historical and full of faith

This book is one part poetry, one party history, one part theology, one part lessons on creativity and all parts worth a listen!

I see why this book won an Audie award, it is the most creative and entertaining audio boom I’ve ever heard. Listened to the whole thing in one sitting!

Beautiful

Art and History collide with Jesus. Enjoyed this so much. The American Church can learn some through this book. I pray we all can be open with the world for healing

This Book was GREEEAAAAT!!!

Such an easy listen. I am speechless, still wrapping my mind around everything. Colorful, poetic, prolific, inspiring, educational, transparent, and inclusive. I purchased the paperback copy for my collection.

I will refer and highlight. I have sent the link to friends. Thanks for being a voice of blackness, and propelling our stories and importance to be recognized and respected by the masses (and the massa's).

Spiritual Medicine For My Soul

As an African-American man reared in a small town worship culture, where I learned little about a the Bible as it truly related to young creative identity this book really spoke to me because in my adult life I got in involved with conservative Christianity in various forms which further kept in an spiritual identity crisis. This book has one of several that I’ve completed over the last year that has sparked creative growth in my spiritual creative identity and freed more of thinking so that I’m more able to share my gifts of writing and speaking. Alfred Harrell More than a Poet

Theology for the people! Sho nuff

I read the majority of this book in one day! The last chapter is a sermon that ends in praise! Great gift for anyone, but especially those who love Jesus and hip hop! I am giving my son and all my nephews a copy!

It was GOOD 🔥

Sho takes us on a journey with applications for our mind, body and soul.

Extremely insightful, relevant and practical. This book is a master class in how to develop a transcendent Christian world view that informs every part of our lives. It was GOOD 🙏🏾🔥