Book Review: With My Eyes Wide Open by Brian "Head" Welch

Book Review: With My Eyes Wide Open by Brian Welch

posted by Clark Bates
July 23, 2016

Brian “Head” Welch, With My Eyes Wide Open: Miracles & Mistakes on my Way Back to Korn, Nashville: Nelson Books, 2016.

      Contemporary biographies of pop culture icons are not normally my preferred reading. I must admit, that my sole reason for selecting this book, was that I grew up listening to the author's original band Korn. Brian Welch and I are close to the same age and I was on the ground floor of Korn's meteoric rise to stardom. They were a very original band for the time with a sound that, to that point, had never been heard before. My interest in the band diminished over the years and ultimately disappeared as I came to know the Lord and sought to surround myself with those things that lifted up the name of Christ.

      Needless to say, after hearing of the author's conversion to Christ some years ago I remained skeptical but hopeful. As the years have progressed, his faith has remained central in his public life and I commend him for that; especially in the culture of heavy metal music. Having not read his initial book I am only marginally familiar with his conversion story, but much of that experience highlights the narrative of this recent work, in which the author takes readers through an open and honest reflection on the years following his conversion and attempts to rejoin the music industry while caring for his ever-growing daughter.

      Brian's story stands out in its honesty. Many authors, especially Christian ones, would balk at the thought of recounting tales of failure and doubt, let alone the author's confessions of depression and fear that held him captive. The book's openness can at time be refreshing, while at others infuriating. The reader often finds themselves wondering why the author continues to make the same mistakes, regardless of his willingness to admit his naivete and spiritual immaturity. The single father's narrative of struggle with a daughter turned young woman resonates with all parents, especially those who have lost their children to the world in various manners, but the life changing work of Christ through both of their lives offers a much needed glimmer of hope a the close of an otherwise very dark and somber tale.

      What's good about the book is its obvious desire to serve as a cautionary tale in tandem with an inspirational anecdote. Brian writes as one who has nothing to hide and desperately hopes that, in his own self-deprecating manner, his repeated missteps will serve as a guide for those following him. Even though his life in the music industry is not relatable to many at the ground level, the book transcends this as many of the author's circumstances are nothing more than those of any parent seeking the best way to provide for their child and honor God simultaneously. The loss of his daughter to depression, cutting, drugs and the like is one too familiar to many parents, which is why the redemption of this father-daughter relationship by Christ at the close of the book feels so satisfying. Possibly the strongest section of the entire writing is the epilogue in which Brian and his daughter write personal letters to the reader. It is within this letter that the author reveals the evangelist which he has become known for. They are an earnest and heartfelt explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need for all who read this book to receive it.

      What's less than good about this book is the theological undercurrent that permeates the pages. While a certain level of leniency is necessary given the author's admittedly new faith, one can't help but wonder how much time the author spends in sincere devotion with God. The book itself contains little-to-no references to Scripture and only speaks of the author's prayer life when he is facing financial difficulty of his own design. This could be intentional, perhaps to aid the book in reaching a wider audience that may be reticent to read a book full of bible passages, but it leaves the reader with an uneasy sense that Brian's faith is based primarily on experience. 

 

      The language of the narrative, as it relates to divine matters, belies a certain charismatic motif. While I am not aware of what denomination the author may hold or where he might worship, his mannerisms and dialogue do tend to indicate a denomination less interested in biblical study than blind faith and experience. While this is not meant to detract from the sense of purity in Brian's spirituality, one has to ask that if the author were sincerely involved in daily study would he have still erred in so many ways that would be perhaps more obvious to a seasoned believer? In like manner, the only mention of prayer being when the author is in distress reveals an all-too-common theme within young Christianity. The central key to an awareness of the mind of God is through prayer, thus when believers speak of praying solely when concerned about present circumstances it often reveals more about why they are in said circumstances than it does about their faith.

      The book itself reads very easily. The language is not refined prose, nor should it be expected to be, but what stands out most is the stark contrast between the narrative of the text and that of the epilogue. As was mentioned above, the personal letter form the author to his readers in the epilogue powerfully presents the gospel (with scripture) in an unapologetic and sympathetic manner. So different is the wording of the epilogue to that of the body of the text, it leaves the reader wishing the author had written more of this throughout the book.

      At its end the book succeeds in its purpose of sharing the difficulties of life while giving glory to the Lord. Where the author may benefit from more purposeful study of God's Word is balanced with his willingness to speak of Christ openly. There is little reason to doubt the author's sincerity as his life exemplifies that of an evangelist tot he lost youth in his musical climate. One prays that as Brian and his daughter continue to grow and age and faith they only grow closer together and to Christ, ever faithfully preaching and testifying to His supremacy. While I no longer find Brian's particular music styling of interest I am encouraged by his life and pray he runs faithfully to the end.

Clark Bates is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and manages an apologetics and theology blog at http://www.exejesushermeneutics.blogspot.com.

 

I received this book free from W Publishing Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLookBloggers.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”