Johnny Cash’s Son Says Father’s Faith ‘Was Defining of Who He Was’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Johnny Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, shared his father’s Christian faith in his new book, “Walking the Line: 90 Devotions of Truth and Hope Based on the Faith of Johnny Cash.”
The book collects Cash’s quotes about faith, as well as never-before-seen thoughts on Christianity from the country singer.
“My father’s faith was defining of who he was,” John said of his father. “My dad fell short in many ways through his life, but he always went back to that faith. He always carried that with him no matter what, wherever he went. Everything that he did in his life, that was a foundation.”
Even when his dad strayed, John said he would always “come back…full circle” and relied on his faith through good times and bad.
“The things that he stood for are … essential aspects of love and respect for family and forgiveness,” he shared.
Cash faced many struggles over the years, including serious health issues towards the end of his life, but John said his father always looked to God for help.
“His faith was like unto Job,” John explained. “He did not curse God. He realized that he was human, and his faith helped carry him.”
He also talked about why he chose to compile these thoughts from his father into a book.
“People tell me on a regular basis, ‘Without your dad, I would be lost. I would not be here. He saved me at times of trouble in my life,’” John said. “And so it’s appreciation for that.”
He continued, “When I’ve looked at my father’s works, when I’ve looked at his writings, I am brought back in contact with him because he had such a personality within his written word,” he said. “It’s almost as if I’m back in the room with him again … and I’m reminded of his voice.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Cash’s faith:
Music icon Johnny Cash, known for songs such as “Ring of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Cry Cry Cry,” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” is candid about how God helped him overcome a years-long battle with drug addiction.
Cash confessed that his addiction was not because of his busy schedule but because he found satisfaction in the drugs.
Cash revealed that he lied to protect his addiction and often had to take off time from work because the drugs made him sick.
“I knew I was killing myself. I had seen drugs kill others. Whatever drug an addict is hooked on, he has to keep increasing his daily dosage to feel anywhere near normal. This is the nature of addiction. The day comes when he takes the overdose that kills him,” Cash said.
While Cash grew up in a home of faith, it took a conversation with an old jailer to remind him of God’s word.
“I was staring at a ceiling and an elderly jailer was asking me if I felt better. I got up. He unlocked the door. I asked, ‘How did I get here?’ He said, ‘One of the night men found you stumbling around the streets. He brought you in so you wouldn’t hurt yourself,’” Cash recalled.
“I followed him down a corridor and into his office, and I asked, ‘How much time do you think I’ll get for this?’ He shook his head. ‘You’re doing time right now, Johnny, the worst kind.’ He handed me an envelope. ‘Here are your things.’ As I was putting things into my pockets, he said, ‘I’m a fan of yours, Johnny. I’ve always admired you. It’s a shame to see you ruining yourself. I didn’t know you were this bad off,’” he continued. “I’d heard that sad song before, from concerned friends. He said, ‘I don’t know where you think you got your talent from, Johnny, but if you think it came from God, then you’re sure wrecking the body He put it in.’”
Cash said that the mention of God stirred in him a life-changing realization about his fight with addiction.
“Maybe it was the reference to God that suddenly cleared my mind. I had been raised by religious parents; faith had always meant a lot to me; I have tried to express it in some of my songs. But until that morning it hadn’t occurred to me to turn to God for help in kicking my habit,” Cash said. “I remembered this: ‘Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?’ (I Corinthians 6:19). This helped convince me that I must try to break my habit. But how?”
“I asked Him to go to work on me, then and there,” he added.
Through prayer, Cash overcame his addiction and shared his testimony with others struggling with drugs.
“We prayed a lot. I am a free man now, as I have been since that morning when I discovered that I could be once again,” Cash said. “Because of the kind of work I do, it is difficult to sweep past mistakes under the rug. Every once in a while, I meet some youngster who knows I used to be an addict, as he is now, and he asks me what he can do to kick his habit. I tell him what I learned, ‘Give God’s temple back to Him. The alternative is death.’”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
