Michael Gilmour

Professor of English and biblical literature, Providence University College, Manitoba

Whereas Lennon tends to reject religion outright and U2 sings about its mysterious ways and at least partial un-knowability, Larry Norman represents a Christian conservatism both confident of its rightness and critical of those failing to embrace a particular definition of orthodoxy.

Suna Senman

Author of “Peace” (forthcoming)

While Ben-Ari's sound of bridge-building primarily comes through her violin, she has meaningful words to share as well -- reflecting that peace is both an inner state of being and a political expression.

Daniel Asia

Composer; Professor, University of Arizona

Like Judaism, it seems to me that classical music is another system that allows us to approach and praise God; perhaps it is one of the most important pathways to God.

Katherine Marshall

Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University

Morocco's Fes Festival of World Sacred Music attracts music lovers and seekers from many corners of the world. It's a magical place to be in June.

Rabbi Yonah Bookstein

Executive Director, Jewlicious and author of the forthcoming book Prayers for Israel

In the 24 months that Matisyahu worked on this album, one wonders if he found what he was looking for or is still searching. Did he find diamonds or did he find dirt?

Omega Institute

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, NY. eOmega.org

Omega talks with Bobby McFerrin about music, spirituality, and the joy of play. "I think play and joy and feeling good deserve more of our time. I don't see why adults are supposed to grow out of those things."

Kristin M. Swenson, Ph.D.

Author, 'Bible Babel: Making Sense of the Most Talked About Book of All Time'

I feel bad for the psalms. Their music, the tunes supposed to accompany them, has been lost to us. Though you may call me sacrilegious, I do not believe that they alone possess sanctifying power.

Derek Beres

Words, Beats, Postures

Idan Raichel is a household name in his homeland, due to his nonpartisan blending of Jewish and Muslim artists on record and stage. When he was asked to curate a series at the Tel Aviv Opera House, his first call went to the young African Muslim.

Lorenzo Candelaria

Associate Professor of Musicology, The University of Texas at Austin

As we renew our Lenten resolutions at the midpoint of this season, perhaps we might consider doing so as Pope Paul III did centuries ago -- reflecting on Michelangelo's Last Judgment.

Josh Fleet

Associate Editor, HuffPost Religion

Not long ago, I set out to find if and where the spirit of Judaism and the energy of improvisational music converge. I want to learn the secret of song.

Michael Gilmour

Professor of English and biblical literature, Providence University College, Manitoba

In U2's retelling, restoration comes through both humanitarian efforts and divine intervention. The promise and hope of both is that all will "live in safety."

Danielle Tumminio

Author, 'God and Harry Potter at Yale'

There's no doubt the pitch around the holidays is elevated. But perhaps, when we make conscious efforts to lower the pitch, the music we make in our lives will be that much more beautiful.

Stephen Schwartz

Executive Director, Center for Islamic Pluralism

His Sufi passion and his music remain alive among the initiated. Soon, perhaps, Seyed Khalil Alinejad will become known throughout the world, as he and his legacy deserve.

Derek Beres

Words, Beats, Postures

It's hard not to expect greatness from a man who has brought the world so many great things. Ravi Shankar nearly single-handedly introduced America to the classical Indian tradition a half-century ago.

Ravenna Michalsen

Graduate Student and Musician

Here are two song with imagined lyrical details about Prince Siddhartha's decision to leave his wife, child and kingdom, as well as the training he underwent leading to his eventual experience of awakening.

Michael Graziano

Professor of Neuroscience and Novelist, Princeton University

As a scientist and an atheist, how can I come to terms with my own spiritual reverence toward some instances of music?