Jewish studies program at SMU to include Johnny Cash music
Feature on Professor Shalom Goldman's lecture on "Johnny Cash in the Holy Land: Christian Zionism and the American Popular Culture."
By SAM HODGES
The Dallas Morning News
Who says a weeknight academic lecture can't also be a ripping good show?
Professor Shalom Goldman will speak Tuesday at Southern Methodist University on "Johnny Cash in the Holy Land: Christian Zionism and the American Popular Culture."
Goldman promises he'll wear a black suit jacket in honor of the Man in Black. He's bringing photographs and film clips. He's also lined up singer Lisa Deaton to perform some Cash songs. . .
Goldman, author of the new book Zeal for Zion: Christians, Jews, and the Idea of the Promised Land, argues that Christian Zionism in America actually is much older and broader than most realize and involves an understanding of America as a kind of Israel-like promised land for people escaping religious and political persecution.
He believes the movement also has various strains.
"Johnny Cash symbolizes for me the American popular culture enthusiasm for Israel," Goldman said.
He notes that Cash and wife June Carter Cash made five trips to Israel and that Cash was baptized in the Jordan River.
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