Singer-songwriter Jon Guerra joins Mark Labberton to explore devotional songwriting, public faith, and the tension between the kingdom of Jesus and American cultural power. Through music and reflection, Guerra considers how art can hold grief, courage, and hope together in turbulent times.
"Love has a million disguises, but winning is simply not one."
In this episode with Mark Labberton, Guerra reflects on songwriting as prayer, the call to love enemies, and artistic courage in moments of cultural crisis.
Together they discuss devotional music, George Herbert's influence, the Beatitudes and American culture, citizenship and immigration imagery, increasing polarization, suffering and grace, and the vocation of Christian artists.
Episode Highlights
"Love has a million disguises, but winning is simply not one."
"When Jesus says to love your enemies… he is giving us a means of survival."
"This is not sentimentality… the only way to resist becoming what one hates."
"My songwriting… would be a means of coming into contact with the invisible God."
"Beauty puts us in contact with invisible things."
About Jon Guerra
Jon Guerra is a singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas, known for devotional music that blends poetry, theology, and contemporary cultural reflection. His albums include Little Songs (2015), Keeper of Days (2020), Ordinary Ways (2023), and American Gospel. Guerra has also composed music for film, including Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life (2019). The son of immigrants from Cuba and Argentina, his work often explores themes of citizenship, prayer, justice, and the teachings of Jesus. His songwriting draws inspiration from figures like George Herbert and Howard Thurman, and seeks to connect spiritual devotion with public life.
Helpful Links and Resources
Jon Guerra website: https://www.jonguerramusic.com/
American Gospel album: https://jonguerra.bandcamp.com
A Hidden Life film: https://www.searchlightpictures.com/ahiddenlife
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman: https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspx
The Porter's Gate: https://www.portersgateworship.com/
Show Notes
Hashtags
#JonGuerra
#DevotionalMusic
#LoveYourEnemies
#ChristianArt
#AmericanGospel
#PublicFaith
#Jesus
#Gospel
#SpiritualFormation
Production Credits
Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.
