"In the first half of the 1980's, Steve Scott's Love in the Western World  virtually single-handedly justified the existence of the CCM subgenre. His subsequent artistic output continued to manifest excellence by any standard applied, and Crying for a Vision, a collection of essays concerned with arriving at a truly Biblical approach to art, lays out for the reader precisely why his art has always been so strong. In his book, Scott critically engages art-theories promulgated by contemporary thinkers and philosophers, considering them in light of the implications of Scripture, and forcefully demonstrating the deficiencies of any approach to creativity grounded in anything other than the revealed Biblical doctrines of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and Creation and Redemption (which is to say, in Christ Himself). His suggestions for basic principles of artistry,  based upon a nuanced and comprehensive grasp of scriptural passages, are profound and deeply Biblical. If you are an artist (or a pastor), or are simply interested in art, it is imperative, for the good of the Church, that you read and digest this book."

"Author, poet, and musician Steve Scott shares his thought-provoking views on the Bible and art in Crying for a Vision and Other Essays (Author House). This new expanded edition includes and introduction and study guide, four newly-collected essays and an interview with the author. Says fellow writer Steve Turner, the Christian community's most prominent rock journalist, 'Steve Scott is a rare individual who combines a deep love and understanding of Scripture with a passion for the arts.' Yes, a must-read."

"The best books I’ve read didn’t end up in my hands by random selection, but they were recommended to me by a friend or teacher. Without the friend who sent me Crying for a Vision and Other Essays I most likely would not have set eyes on the book. The performance artist Steve Scott was unknown to me (I’ve never run across him in the underground music scene); and who would have expected a rock-n-roller to have much to say about religion and the arts? Steve Scott has a message, and he delivers it well.

The primary audience for this book is the Christian artist. That said, I am Christian but not an artist (at least not in the traditional sense); I work as a software engineer; but maybe I am a poet at heart: because Steve Scott’s book nudged at my heart and mind. His book needs to be widely read.

The book titles itself a collection of essays, and you could pick and choose which to read in whatever order; but there is a flow and order in their presentation, and the collection is best read from beginning to end … like a book of chapters. Some of the text toward the beginning was the driest for me (how to look at art so you can form a response, or rather, how different personalities and cultures respond to art). But don’t stop too soon. This chapter is important background. Read it and move on to the meat.

You can consider the Crying for a Vision book to be a guidebook for the Christian artist. Not a guidebook with all the answers, but an aid for you that asks so many questions. And if Steve Scott’s writing doesn’t provide you with all the questions, then the study guide appendix should satisfy. It is not a book to be blown through like a NY Times Bestseller novel. Take some time to chew on it.

One thing that I took away from reading this book is the importance of a sense of wonder. The writer who has most influenced me, G.K. Chesterton, had this sense of wonder in his life and in his art; so this element is often in my mind. Scott’s book reminded me of the need for Christians to evangelize through this sense of wonder (the apostolate of wonder??) when he wrote: “I believe that Christian artists can take on the prophetic mandate in their work, and confront more deeply than others who try.”

It is needed in our post-grunge world."