Faith & Freedom

There are some artists whose music does more than simply sound beautiful. Their faith comes through in the way they write and the passion in their voice when they sing about our Savior. Their words make you think, reflect, and maybe even confront things you would rather leave unspoken. For me, Josiah Queen is one of those artists. His songs carry a depth that feels both poetic and deeply real, and that combination is a big part of what makes his music stand out.

Particularly with his new release, “Judas,” Josiah Queen continues to show that Christian music does not have to remain surface-level. One of the many things I appreciate about his work is that he is willing to explore concepts that many Christians may hesitate to approach or discuss. His music does not ignore struggle, weakness, failure, or the more uncomfortable parts of the human condition. I am not saying other artists do not explore these themes well, because many do, but Josiah Queen brings these realities into the light in a way that feels especially thoughtful and spiritually meaningful, in my opinion.

That kind of honesty matters. Real faith wrestles. Real faith asks questions. Real faith recognizes darkness as well as hope. Josiah Queen’s lyrics seem to understand that. They are written with a poetic quality, but they never feel empty or detached from reality. They feel lived-in, sincere, and full of intention.

What makes his music especially powerful is that it does not seem afraid of depth. He writes in a way that invites the listener to slow down and truly listen. Instead of simply writing catchy songs, he offers words that linger. That takes a real God-given gift. Not every artist can combine beauty, honesty, and spiritual weight the way he does, and not every artist is called to. I believe Josiah Queen has been called to speak to my generation, and he has answered that call.

I personally always enjoy his music because it feels less like entertainment and more like a reflection of a love that is beyond human understanding. It feels like an invitation to think more deeply about truth, grace, brokenness, and redemption. In a world that often prefers the quickest and easiest answers, Josiah Queen’s work is refreshing.

If you have not listened to his music yet, I highly encourage “Die a Beggar” as a starting point. It was the first song I ever heard by him, and when I heard the chorus for the first time, I was honestly surprised. In the first two lines, he says, “I would rather die a beggar, than to beg at Heaven’s gates.” I had never heard that concept put like that before, and I loved how real he was throughout the entire song.

His newest song, ‘Judas,’ is one of the most biblical, powerful, and truthful songs I have ever heard. In the chorus, he sings, ‘Cause he betrayed You for money, and I did it all for free,’ connecting Judas’s betrayal to the reality that all of us are sinners. That idea reflects Romans 3:23: ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ It is easy to look at Judas and think his sin is somehow worse than ours, especially because his actions ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus. But the truth is that we all fall short and we all need forgiveness. As Josiah Queen puts it, ‘For thirty pieces of silver, he ain’t worse than me.’ That line is a powerful reminder of human sinfulness and the mercy of Christ.

From the way he cares for others and treats people, to the way he includes the community in so much of what he does, I see a kindness and compassion in this man that can only come from Jesus Christ, who loves us with a humanly unfathomable love. That is one of the most important things to consider when allowing someone to influence your life, and especially your faith.

 I challenge you this week to listen, truly listen to some of his songs and absorb what he is saying. In fact, you can do this with any of your preferred artists, to discern their Biblical grounding and further grow from what you are listening to.